"Islanders claim Berkeley-based Earth Island Institute failed to fulfill deal to pay $400,000 to stop hunt."

"Villagers in the Solomon Islands have slaughtered up to 900 dolphins in the course of a dispute with a conservation group, Earth Island Institute.

Accounts of the dispute vary. The islanders say the Berkeley-based conservation group failed to pay them, as agreed, for stopping the traditional hunt. Earth Island says the slaughter was the work of a 'renegade group' trying to sabotage conservation work.

What is clear, however, is that a misunderstanding between the villagers and Earth Island has resulted in one of the worst cases of dolphin slaughter in the Solomon Islands for some time, and delivered a huge setback to conservation efforts in a world 'hot spot' for the dolphin trade."

Suzanne Goldenberg reports for the Guardian January 24, 2013. [2]