Pantropical Spotted Dolphin (Mammals of Alabama)

Pantropical Spotted Dolphin

Stenella attenuata

Summary ⁶

The pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata) is a species of dolphin found in all the world's temperate and tropical oceans. The species was beginning to come under threat due to the killing of millions of individuals in tuna purse seines. In the 1980s, the rise of "dolphin-friendly" tuna capture methods saved millions of the species in the eastern Pacific Ocean and it is now one of the most abundant dolphin species in the world.

Description ⁷

As its common name suggests, the pantropical spotted dolphin is a spotted dolphin that occurs in tropical waters around the world. It is one of the species that fisherman tend to follow as a means of finding yellowfin tuna, which swim with them. Consequently, millions of these dolphins have been killed after becoming entangled in fishing nets. An international effort has reduced the danger in recent years by introducing dolphin-rescue techniques, limiting the accidental kill to a few thousand each year. Why the dolphins and tuna associate is unknown.

Links:
Mammal Species of the World