Outrage as fishing trawlers blamed for slaughtering more than 100 dolphins found washed up dead on British coastlines
Dolphins are dying in British waters in numbers not seen for more than a decade, wildlife groups have warned
FISH trawlers are being blamed for the killing of dolphins in British waters in what wildlife groups describe as a "massacre" - with over 100 found dead in just six weeks.
A total of 106 dead dolphins and porpoises had been washed up on Cornwall's beaches so far this year, according to the Cornwall Wildlife Trust.
The toll for the whole of last year was 205 while in the two previous years the numbers had been under 100.
Now campaigners and fishermen are calling for measures to stop the slaughter.
Lindy Hingley, who is the founder of Brixham Sea Watch, said: "It's murder. It's a massacre. It takes 20 minutes for them to die, and it's an appalling death."
She said big trawlers competing with dolphins for fish such as mackerel, herring, bass and sprats are wiping out whole family groups.
Since Christmas, small trawlers operating in an area from Mevagissey in Cornwall to Plymouth have hauled up dozens of dead and rotting dolphins.
Scores more have washed ashore on beaches in Devon and Cornwall.
Common dolphins are frequent victims because they hunt in large groups and come into inshore waters in winter.
Related Stories
The animals get caught up in the nets used by the trawlermen.
Because they are air-breathing mammals they are suffocated by being held underwater.
Martin Thomas, a trawlerman from Polperro, Cornwall, said he's never caught a live dolphin in his life.
He said: "We have been trawling up dead and stinking dolphins.
"The smell is horrific. All of the boats around here have been bringing up dead dolphins."
Dolphin deaths in the region reached a peak around the turn of this century when pressure by Ms Hingley and University of Exeter scientist Dr Nick Tregenza led to new measures and restrictions on trawlers.
Rob Deaville, UK project manager of the Defra-funded Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme, said they were told of 76 dead dolphins and porpoises in January alone.
Of those, 13 were taken away for post-mortem examinations, of which five showed clear signs of having been caught in nets.
The Marine Management Organisation said all dolphins, porpoises and whales are legally protected.
A spokesperson added: "We're aware of local fishermen's concerns and have been working with other organisations to look into these."
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368