Japanese aquariums bow to pressure and vow to stop accepting dolphins caught in Taiji hunt
Peak global body for zoos and aquariums condemns hunt as “cruel" and has banned the practice for its members.
Japan’s aquariums on Wednesday promised to stop acquiring dolphins captured in a bloody hunt that was depicted in the Oscar-winning documentary The Cove and has caused global outrage.
The move by the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (Jaza) follows a decision last month by the Swiss-based umbrella group World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (Waza), to suspend the Japanese organisation’s membership.
Waza characterised the Taiji hunt as “cruel,” and decided that none of its members should acquire dolphins in such a way.
In that hunt, dolphins are scared with banging, herded into a cove and speared by fishermen for their meat. The best-looking ones are sold to aquariums.
In a letter to Waza, the Japanese group, which comprises 89 zoos and 63 aquariums, said it would abide by Waza’s decision.
“It is our wish at Jaza to remain as a member of Waza,” chair Kazutoshi Arai said in a letter addressed to Waza President Lee Ehmke.
The campaign against the Taiji hunt has drawn Hollywood stars as well as the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd.