ASPCA Applauds Court Decision to Uphold Criteria for "Dolphin-Safe" Tuna Label

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Friday, 11 April 2003

Lawsuit filed by animal welfare and environmental protection groups to overturn government's decision to weaken label

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is applauding Judge Thelton Henderson's decision to issue a Preliminary Injunction preventing the weakening of the criteria for the "Dolphin-Safe" tuna label. This victorious decision is part of a pending lawsuit filed by the ASPCA and other animal welfare and environmental groups hoping to overturn a 12/31/02 decision that would be detrimental to millions of dolphins. The ruling was prompted by Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans' decision to allow the "Dolphin Safe" label to be placed on cans of tuna caught using the "chase and net" method which injures and kills dolphins, and separates babies from their mothers.

"We are absolutely thrilled by Judge Henderson's ruling," says Lisa Weisberg, ASPCA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy. "This sets a great precedent for our lawsuit and we can now focus on moving forward knowing that the original standards set for the label will be upheld throughout the duration of the trial."

More than 7 million dolphins have died using the inhumane "chase and net" method primarily practiced in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP). This method involves the chasing and setting of purse seine nets on dolphin that swim with tuna in this part of the world. Chasing and netting also separates the mother from her offspring, which often results in the death of the calf, who cannot survive on its own. The mortality rate decreased by 97% with the advent of the "Dolphin Safe" label. "Americans who don't want to support the brutal practices of the tuna fisheries in the ETP rely on the label as their guide. Ethically, it is imperative that the standards remain unaltered," continued Weisberg.

Plaintiffs in the dolphin case include: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Earth Island Institute, Samuel LaBudde, Humane Society of the United States, Defenders of Wildlife, International Wildlife Coalition, Animal Welfare Institute, Society for Animal Protective Legislation, Animal Fund, and Oceanic Society.

For more information, or to contact American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, see their website at: www.aspca.org