The BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 caused serious widespread harm throughout the Gulf of Mexico and beyond, for humans and other wildlife. This has become particularly notable in a distinct population of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in Louisiana's Barataria Bay. Since the spill, the death rate of dolphins in Barataria Bay has more than doubled, resulting in what is legally called an unusual mortality event (UME). Along with increased strandings, Barataria Bay dolphins are also suffering from an array of health issues, including malnourishment, chronic lung diseases, and abnormal miscarried pregnancies.
Compounding the post oil spill struggles of the dolphins, is the massive catch of Gulf menhaden - a small fish that is an important food source for these dolphins. By weight, the Gulf menhaden fishery is the second largest in the United States. Nearly a billion pounds are taken annually from the Gulf, much of which comes from the waters of Barataria Bay. Despite the enormous yearly haul, the Gulf menhaden fishery continues to be one of the least regulated fisheries in Louisiana.
Menhaden are an essential food source for dolphins and other Gulf wildlife, like birds, sharks and larger fish. Menhaden are also filter feeders - they suck in water and eat tiny particles in it then expel clean water, thus filtering the Gulf. The sensitive ecosystem of the Gulf needs menhaden to fulfill their natural functions and keep the Gulf and beyond healthy! Our ecosystem pays the price when the Gulf menhaden are overfished.
Gulf menhaden are caught using nets that encircle and pull in an entire school of fish. Unfortunately, anything else near the fish - like the dolphins, larger fish, and sharks that eat menhaden - can be caught and killed along with the fish. The Gulf menhaden fishery removes an estimated 10 million pounds of bycatch each year!
Given the current problems with the Barataria Bay dolphins, it is time for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to adopt a sensible management approach for Gulf menhaden. Placing a cap on how much menhaden can be caught each year, will allow enough menhaden to remain in the Gulf waters to support the needs of Barataria Bay’s dolphins AND our Gulf ecosystem!
Sign below to urge Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to cap the Gulf menhaden fishery.
Help us save Louisiana dolphins AND our Gulf ecosystem by signing this petition!
