Dolphin butchered in front of tourists

As a group of European tourists were aghast at the spectacle of a group of men dismembering a live dolphin and carting away the remains on a beach at Praslin last week. The hapless animal it appears was left stranded in shallow water at Amitié, Praslin after the tide went out, a rare event in Seychelles. It was spotted by three men who harpooned it and started dismembering it while it was still alive according to eye witnesses. The police, however, apprehended the men after a tip off.

In the old days dolphins were harpooned and their meat salted and dried before being consumed. Salted dolphin “meat” was regularly sold at the Victoria market together with slated fish. Dolphin meat (or marswen in creole) is a traditional delicacy in Seychelles.

For many years now the dolphin has been a protected species. Nevertheless, it is common knowledge that a residual trade in salted dolphin meat has existed despite the legal protection against their exploitation, with the police turning a blind eye. The same goes for turtle meat. Two years ago, a boatload of green turtle meant and salted seabirds were apprehended at Providence, Mahe and prosecuted. They got away through a technicality.

Both delicacies are an acquired taste; however, as the older generation passes away, the demand for dolphin and turtle meat will diminish.