The Pacific white-sided dolphin (*Lagenorhynchus obliquidens*) is a highly social and acrobatic marine mammal found throughout the temperate waters of the North Pacific Ocean. Known for their striking black, gray, and white coloration, these dolphins are not a target of large-scale commercial fisheries today, but historically, they were hunted in several countries, particularly Japan. In Japan, Pacific white-sided dolphins have been captured in coastal drive fisheries, primarily for meat and sometimes for live display in aquariums. While the United States and Canada, which also have populations of this species in their waters, have strict protections in place and do not allow commercial harvesting, Japan remains the primary country where limited hunting still occurs. The international community, including organizations like the International Whaling Commission, continues to monitor and advocate for the protection of this species due to concerns over sustainability and animal welfare.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japan | 1 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.