Environmental law firm, Earthjustice, says that new data proves that false killer whales, a large dolphin species, are being hooked and drowned in longline fishing gear at unsustainable rates.

And they want the National Marine Fisheries Service to do something about it. 

The data is a little confusing, however. It appears that estimates of the number of dolphins in deep sea waters has risen dramatically – more than trippled. But Earthjustice says that it also indicates that the take levels are not sustainable. 

From its press release: 

NMFS’s new survey data provide more accurate estimates of false killer whales in Hawaiian waters than previously available.  The data revise upwards the minimum population estimate for false killer whales found more than 40 kilometers (22 nautical miles) from the main Hawaiian Islands (the “Hawai‘i Pelagic Stock”), from a prior estimate of 249 animals to a new estimate of 906 animals. 

Based on the new estimate, NMFS concluded that the Pelagic Stock could sustain nine deaths each year from interactions with commercial fisheries.  The agency’s latest observer data show that the Hawai‘i-based longline fisheries are killing an average of over 13 false killer whales each year, which is a dramatic increase from last year’s figure of nearly 11 whales per year and nearly half again what NMFS has said the population can sustain.

“The evidence is in, and the number of these beautiful animals dying from the longline fishery keeps going up.  At this rate, we will lose Hawaiian false killer whales – another victim of unsustainable industrial longline fishing,” said Todd Steiner, biologist and executive director of the Turtle Island Restoration Network.  “There is no excuse for inaction by NMFS.  I imagine that President Obama wants his kids to see these magnificent toothed whales when they vacation in Hawai‘i as adults, but that can happen only if the federal government takes immediate action to protect these animals from destructive fishing practices.”

NMFS’s latest report for the population of false killer whales found within 140 kilometers (76 nautical miles) of the main Hawaiian Islands (the “Hawai‘i Insular Stock”) slightly increased the minimum population estimate, from 110 animals to 129 animals.  The new estimate does not change NMFS’s conclusion that the Insular Stock – which NMFS has proposed to list as “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act – has declined by 9 percent per year since 1989.  Observer data show that the longline fisheries are killing false killer whales from the Insular Stock at nearly double the rate the population can sustain.

 “If we are to have any hope of saving Hawai‘i’s false killer whales, it is time for NMFS to stop making excuses and to start complying with its legal obligation to protect these unique animals by promptly issuing and implementing a plan to reduce false killer whale deaths in the longline fisheries,” said Earthjustice attorney David Henkin.