The pantropical spotted dolphin (*Stenella attenuata*) is a slender, agile marine mammal found in warm oceanic waters worldwide, easily recognized by its distinctive spots that increase with age. Unlike true fish, these dolphins have historically been caught incidentally rather than targeted directly, particularly in the Eastern Tropical Pacific tuna fisheries, where they often associate with yellowfin tuna schools. The largest fishing nations impacting pantropical spotted dolphins have been the United States, Mexico, and several Central and South American countries, primarily through purse seine tuna fishing operations. High dolphin mortality rates in the 1960s and 1970s led to international outcry and the development of the "dolphin-safe" tuna label, as well as stricter regulations and fishing techniques to reduce bycatch. Today, while direct targeting is rare and largely prohibited, the legacy of these fisheries continues to influence management and conservation efforts for this species.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.