Pacitan Resort Police officers suspect dolphin hunting activities in the territorial waters of Pacitan Regency, East Java Province, after video recordings of dolphin catching surfaced. The police intercepted the ship and brought 23 crew members to undergo further examination, on Saturday (08/01/2021). During the raid, the police did not find any dolphins on board, as seen in the video. In the video that went viral on social media shows 7 dolphins had died on the fishing boat. The crew members admitted that the dolphins were accidentally caught by their fishing nets (bycatch) and were already dead when they were put on the boat.
Bycatch marine animals can negatively affect species such as dolphins, sea turtles, protected fish, and whales by harming animals, contributing to population declines, and impeding population recovery. Other impacts of fisheries on marine mammals may include removal of their preferred prey and sometimes habitat damage.