According to a recent survey, at least 1,000 dolphins are killed every year in Kerala, Southern India - mainly due to fishing nets.

However it has now been revealed that dolphins are also being deliberately slaughtered. Several instances of fishermen killing dolphins have come to light recently in places such as Poonthura, Kozhikode and Kochi on the south west coast.

According to conservation campaigner, Professor Kunhikkannan, the authorities remain silent spectators while hundreds of dolphins are being slaughtered and sold. “We have taken up the issue with the authorities but no action has been initiated”, he said. The dolphins are harpooned, slaughtered and the meat sold to city hotels. A midsized dolphin weighing around 100kg can fetch Rs10,000 (approximately £120).

Officials admit that they received reports of dolphin killings taking place in Kerala regularly. However they claim that the meat is not consumed in Kerala but is a delicacy in some parts of India and is also used mostly as bait for shark fishing elsewhere in the country. V X Varghese, Chief Conservator of Forests & Wildlife stated; “We received some complaints and have issued warnings against catching dolphins which are protected under the Wildlife Act.” The state government, meanwhile, is going ahead with plans to develop an oceanarium that will include a dolphinarium and an aquarium.

The Marine Connection has written to the authorities regarding these plans although a response to the charity's concerns has been promised, as yet we have not received further communcation. For details click here

Take action

Please email Chief Varghese at Kerala Forests & Wildlife Department asking why the deliberate slaughter of animals which are protected in India's waters under the wildlife act are being allowed to continue, and what plans the authorities have to stop these illegal kills.

image (c) Nile Sprague