Euro-MPs vote to save dolphins

12.00.00am GMT Tue 10th Feb 2004

Euro-MPs have today (Tuesday) supported a European Commission proposal which will increase efforts to save dolphins and porpoises from being unintentionally caught in fishing nets.

Amendments proposed by the European Parliament, several of which were tabled by the Liberal Democrats, will further strengthen these proposals.

Speaking following today's vote in Strasbourg, Bill Newton Dunn MEP commented:

"I have received many letters from constituents in the East Midlands expressing concern about the number of dead dolphins and porpoises found on beaches with injuries consistent with having been entangled in fish-netting.

"We have a responsibility to promote sustainable fisheries. This includes both preserving an economically viable fishing industry and protecting our environment and the animals within.

"Dolphins are universally-loved creatures. We must make sure that the only way we see these sea-mammals is in their natural environment, not washed up dead on our beaches."

The European Commission's proposals introduce on-board monitoring schemes to provide detailed information on the scale of dolphin deaths from fishing. Liberal Democrats pushed several amendments through the European Parliament's Fisheries committee promoting research into alternative equipment.

ENDS