When you see “dolphin safe” on a tuna can, you might assume it means dolphins were completely protected during the fishing process. The reality is more nuanced. Different dolphin safe labels follow varying standards, and understanding what they actually guarantee can help you make more informed purchasing decisions. These certifications address a complex relationship between tuna fishing and dolphin welfare that has evolved significantly over decades. Below, we’ll explore what these labels really mean, how fishing methods impact dolphins, and what verification systems help ensure these claims are trustworthy.
What dolphin safe labels actually guarantee
Dolphin safe labels don’t all offer the same level of protection, and their guarantees vary significantly across different certification programs. Understanding these variations helps consumers make more informed choices:
- Prohibition of “setting on dolphins” – Most certifications ban the practice of deliberately encircling dolphin pods to catch tuna swimming beneath them
- Self-reporting requirements – Nearly all programs rely on captain logbooks and vessel declarations without independent onboard observer verification, the PNA MSC certification being the sole exception.
- Limited bycatch coverage – Most standards don’t address accidental dolphin deaths that may occur through other fishing interactions
- Geographic restrictions – Some certifications only apply to specific ocean regions rather than global fishing operations
- Observer verification levels – Programs range from no independent oversight to mandatory third-party onboard monitoring during each individual trip.
These varying standards mean that dolphin safe certifications focus primarily on specific fishing practices rather than guaranteeing zero dolphin interactions. While all programs aim to protect dolphins, the level of protection and verification differs substantially between certification schemes, making it essential for consumers to understand what each label actually represents.
How tuna fishing methods affect dolphins
The relationship between tuna fishing and dolphins stems from a natural phenomenon in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean (and no other oceans !) where dolphins and yellowfin tuna, and remember this; only mature yellowfin tuna often swim together. This association led to purse seine fishing practices that deliberately targeted dolphin pods to catch the tuna below. So this issue does not occur in the Atlantic, Indian or Western Tropical Pacific Ocean. Dolphins also do not associate with skipjack tuna, the tuna species that makes up about 60% of the worlds catch and is the most likely to be found in your can.
Different fishing methods create varying levels of risk for dolphin populations:
- Purse seine fishing on yellowfin around dolphins in the Eastern Pacific – Creates large circular nets that can trap dolphins underwater, about 40 years ago this caused in over a hundred of thousand of dolphin deaths annually, nowadays nearly no more than thousand.
- Longline fishing operations – Deploy thousands of hooks on extended lines that can accidentally catch dolphins, though less frequently than purse seining
- Pole-and-line fishing – Uses individual hooks and lines, creating minimal dolphin impact but accounting for smaller catch volumes
- Free-school purse seining – Targets skipjack and yellowfin tuna schools without dolphins, reducing direct dolphin mortality but may still cause some accidental bycatch
- Fish aggregating device (FAD) purse seine fishing – Uses artificial drifting structures to attract mostly skipjack tuna, which can also attract and accidentally catch dolphins and other marine life, however this happens rarely and mostly accidently.
Modern fishing practices have evolved considerably since the 1970s peak of dolphin mortality. Today’s Eastern Pacific purse seine operations often incorporate “backdown” procedures and dolphin safety panels that allow dolphins to escape nets more easily, while improved training and technology help fishing crews minimize harmful interactions across all fishing methods.
Different dolphin safe standards and their requirements
Several major dolphin safe certification programs operate with distinct requirements and verification processes. Understanding these differences helps explain why dolphin safe labels may offer varying levels of protection:
- U.S. Government Dolphin Safe Program – Prohibits setting on dolphins and requires specific documentation for tuna caught in the Eastern Tropical Pacific under the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act
- Earth Island Institute Certification – Maintains stricter global standards prohibiting any intentional netting or encirclement of dolphins, but relies exclusively on signed captain statements and lacks any independent onboard observer monitoring or reporting.
- AIDCP Program – Allows limited setting on dolphins under specific conditions with mortality caps, requiring international observers and detailed tracking systems
- Industry Brand Initiatives – Combine elements from multiple standards, often developing proprietary requirements
- MSC Certification Program – Focus on specific tuna species, ocean areas and fishing fleets, with standards tailored to local fishing practices and dolphin populations, but also mostly based on captain or fishing company statements. ( the PNA MSC certification is the sole program that relies on observer verification on a trip by trip basis ).
These diverse certification programs reflect the complexity of balancing fishing industry needs with marine conservation goals. The verification requirements vary significantly between programs, from basic paperwork and captain declarations to comprehensive independent monitoring using satellite tracking and electronic systems. This variation means consumers may encounter dolphin safe labels with substantially different levels of oversight and protection, highlighting the importance of understanding which certification program backs each label.
How SmarTuna helps with dolphin safe verification
SmarTuna’s digital traceability platform addresses the verification challenges in dolphin safe tuna by capturing real-time data from the moment fishing begins. The platform uses satellite VMS and AIS tracking to monitor vessel activities, providing objective evidence of fishing methods and locations rather than relying solely on manual documentation.
The system automatically cross-references vessel data against multiple regulatory databases, including RFMO registries and certification programs, to verify compliance with dolphin safe standards. Key verification capabilities include:
- Real-time vessel tracking – Confirms fishing locations and methods through satellite monitoring, providing objective evidence of compliance with dolphin safe fishing practices
- Automated compliance checks – Cross-references vessel activities against dolphin safe certification databases to flag potential violations or verify adherence to standards
- Digital document storage – Maintains audit-ready traceability by storing all verification documents per batch, ensuring complete documentation chains for regulatory compliance
- Observer data integration – Combines independent observer reports – reviewed by the competent authority- with vessel tracking to provide comprehensive verification coverage
- Unique batch identification – Links dolphin safe trip certifications to specific tuna batches through Raw Material IDs, enabling precise tracking from catch to consumer
This comprehensive tuna traceability approach transforms dolphin safe verification from paper-based systems to data-driven proof, enabling brands and retailers to substantiate their claims with verifiable evidence. The platform supports the entire tuna supply chain by providing transparency that strengthens trust among fishing companies, processors, and consumers while ensuring that dolphin safe promises are backed by reliable, real-time verification.
Discover how SmarTuna transforms tuna supply chain verification and puts proof behind dolphin safe promises.
