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The Case Against Captivity | Amusement Parks | Cetacean-Free Facilities | Orca Capture | Achievements |
Groups Unite to Oppose Japanese Dolphin Slaughter
As a coordinated effort, Japan Dolphin Day is an inspiring example of the difference that animal advocates and environmentalists can make when they work together towards a common goal. Richard O'Barry—who founded the Dolphin Project in 1970 and is one of the world's most influential dolphin advocates—praised the demonstrators for speaking out for marine mammals. O'Barry actually started his career in the 1960s capturing and training dolphins for the Miami Seaquarium. One of these dolphins was named Cathy, who for a long time played the role of Flipper in the famous TV series of that name. When she died in his arms, O'Barry understood that keeping dolphins in captivity is wrong, and he has spent the rest of his life fighting for their rights.
IDA proudly took part in Japan Dolphin Day by co-hosting a demonstration with Earth Island Institute at the Japanese consulate in San Francisco. Volunteers from both groups carried signs and handed out literature to passerby condemning the slaughter. IDA also held protests at the Japanese consulates in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Portland, Ore. What You Can Do Let Japanese officials know that international pressure will continue to mount as long as the dolphin massacre is allowed to go on. Demand a permanent end to the drive fisheries and the preservation of dolphins and whales as natural treasures. Ryozo Kato For more information, including photos and video of the Taiji dolphin slaughter, see www.savetaijidolphins.org. |
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Marine mammals in captivity commonly die of pneumonia, ulcers and other stress-related illnesses. |
This year's international Japan Dolphin Day, held last week on Wednesday, September 20th in cities around the world, was a rousing success. Dozens of groups organized demonstrations attended by thousands of people who are outraged and appalled that Japanese fishermen continue to kill about 20,000 marine mammals every year for meat. This annual atrocity—the largest massacre of dolphins anywhere on the planet—usually starts in October and continues through March, but this year the slaughter began early, supposedly to ensure that the fishermen were able to fulfill their government-sanctioned quota of kills.
"Japan Dolphin Day was a success for the victim dolphins in Japan, and it was a public relations nightmare for the dolphin hunters and the Japanese government," O'Barry recently wrote to the demonstration organizers. "You sent a powerful message that was heard loud and clear in Tokyo. The message was: 'YES, There is international opposition to this secret, barbaric and anachronistic practice and you can't hide it anymore.'"