We've just launched a legal challenge against the government to help save dolphins from being caught and killed in large fishing nets.
Our legal team has filed papers in the High Court seeking a ban on all fishing boats from pair trawling for sea bass within 200 miles of the UK. This type of fishing involves two boats dragging a huge net between them. Last year, government observers witnessed UK pair trawlers catching and killing 169 dolphins.
We believe the government is obliged under the EU Habitats Directive to take swift and effective action to protect the dolphin population.
Last year, the government announced a halt to UK boats pair trawling within a paltry 12 miles of shore - despite having the power to enforce a ban for 200 miles. As little trawling takes place within those 12 miles, and most fishing is done by French boats, the move will do next to nothing to protect dolphins.
Greenpeace oceans campaigner Sarah Duthie said: "Destructive fishing practices are pushing dolphins around the UK towards the edge of extinction. The government must take action to stop this killing - and that's why Greenpeace is mounting a legal challenge.
"The gruesome death toll of these dolphins is all too visible on beaches every year. All the evidence is available to ban this fishery in order to protect the dolphin population."
The incidental capture in fishing nets of dolphins, porpoises and other marine species is a major problem world-wide - killing some 300,000 whales, dolphins and porpoises each year.
