| Spanish fishermen kill orca
'competing' for tuna
Spanish fishermen working in the Mediterranean have killed one of the orcas which along with its pod make twice-yearly passes through the Strait of Gibraltar.
 Harpoons and rifles are used by fishermen to stop the whales hunting the tuna as they feel the animals reduce their fish catch. The pictures taken by the Sunday Telegraph show the whale on the deck of the boat and are the first visual evidence of the darker side of the tuna fishing industry in the area. It is believed that the fishermen sell the meat to Japan, where it is considered a delicacy.
Up to five of the 33 orcas in the area have been killed by the fishing fleets over the past 12 months. The new evidence will be presented at the International Whaling Commission in May. Once again marine mammals are being killed due to being in competition with fishing industries - big money is at stake as 500kg of tuna sells for approx £3,100 at the market. The Spanish and Moroccan governments are very aware of the issue however Spain's environment ministry declined to comment on the claims, despite having published a report in 1999 which described the "aggressive reactions of fishermen to the whales” which include throwing stones, shooting or launching harpoons.
A United Nations report on threatened whales in the Mediterranean, published last year, estimated that two orcas were killed in 2004 and six in 2005. The worldwide population of killer whales is estimated at between 70,000 and 180,000.
Liz Sandeman of the Marine Connection said "This is just the latest in a long line of tragic deaths of marine mammals killed under the justification of 'competing' for fish. One of the main reasons for fish stock declines is due to over-fishing to supply an ever growing demand by consumers for more cost effective fish products. It is not only unreasonable but incorrect therefore to lay the blame on marine mammals who, after all, have no alternative from which to source the food they require. This issue has to be addressed as a matter of urgency and solutions found to protect fish stocks, rather than resort to killing marine mammals who rely on our seas and oceans to survive."
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