(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On November 10th, 2016 one resident of Phu Quoc Island has posted 6 photos on Facebook with comment that “There are 5 fishermen on fishing vessel. After sitting on the dolphin to joke around, the fishermen cut the head of the dolphin and eviscerated it. The photos showed that this is a vessel specializing in catching anchovy.
The action has sparked the protests of harming dolphins and other mammals inside and outside the country.
After this incident took place, the authorities of Vietnam implemented quickly investigations to clarify the case. The result of investigations showed that this incident happened in April 2012. The dolphin at that time was found dead after getting stuck in their nets. Then, the group of 5 fishermen mentioned above decided to behead and slaughter it to make some “dried dolphin meat” to bring back to their hometown, and someone on board took photos of the beheading and slaughtering process to post on Facebook.
Dolphins are the species of rare animals and playing an important role in the spiritual life of the fishermen of Vietnam, so this is an insensible and cruel act.
VASEP condemn and protest the actions harming dolphins. Vietnam fisheries industry and tuna enterprises have recognized and committed to make their efforts to protect dolphins and marine mammals under the regulations of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the U.S. and the Earth Island Institute (EII)...
Written by Nguyen Ha
Compiled by Kim Thu