Dolphins

Dolphins are marine mammals of the order Cetacea, widely distributed across the world’s oceans, not commercially exploited on any large scale, though some species have been utilized locally as sources of meat and oil. Their food safety relevance is indirect: as top predators they accumulate mercury and persistent organic pollutants, and bycatch in tuna fisheries drove the dolphin-safe labelling movement. They remain protected species in most jurisdictions, with trade strictly controlled. Seafood buyers rely on dolphin-safe certification to assure consumers about fishing practices.