Pair trawlers are blamed for many dolphin deaths

Torbay Liberal Democrat MP Adrian Sanders met Mr Morley on Tuesday to discuss the issue.

The number of dolphin deaths in the South West is continuing to rise significantly.

Since the start of January this year, 114 dolphins have been washed ashore in Devon and Cornwall, an increase of more than 27% on 2002.

Major step

It is thought large pair trawlers are to blame, trapping the animals and causing fatal injuries.

Mr Morley told Mr Sanders that putting observers on trawlers to monitor the problem, something campaigners have been asking for, can actually be adopted now.

Mr Morley has written to the European Union asking why countries are not being forced to adopt the measure under an existing directive.

It is a move Mr Sanders calls a major step forward in reducing the death toll.

Fleet observers

Mr Sanders said: "The minister has written to the EU, asking them to use the Habitat and Wildlife Directive to take immediate action.

"If we had this news a year ago, a number of dolphins could have been saved this year.

"But if they act upon this now, they could put observers on boats across the EU fleet before the end of this bass sea-fishing season."

Fishermen have said that any dolphins killed are an "incidental and accidental bycatch".