146 Marine Mammals Die in Australia

A total of 146 protected marine mammals (including dolphins and seals) have died in a marine protected area in New South Wales, Australia, over the past two years. The primary causes are illegal gillnetting and trawling; the victims are mostly endangered Hector’s dolphins, including many pregnant individuals. Environmental organizations have pointed out that oversight within the marine reserve is virtually non-existent and enforcement is severely lacking. They have publicly called on the state government to intervene immediately, comprehensively strengthen enforcement of fishing bans and patrols within the reserve, and curb the lethal threat posed by human fishing activities to endangered marine life.