Some Data on Dolphin Mortality in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Tuna Purse Seine Fishery Prior to 1970

摘要

Dolphins of several species have been killed incidentally in the eastern tropical Pacific tuna purse seine fishery since its beginnings in the late 1950's (Perrin 1969, Smith 1983). Data have been collected by a number of individuals and agencies on many aspects of these mortalities, including numbers of dolphins killed and dolphin-release procedures used, but few data are available prior to 1970. As a result, the effect of the fishery on the dolphin populations during that period is uncertain (Smith 1983). The report describes data available for that period. These data were collected by three individuals on four fishing trips, two in 1964, and one each in 1966 and 1968.