Japan's aquariums to stop hunting dolphins for captivity
Japan’s aquariums have said they will stop acquiring dolphins captured in a bloody hunt that was depicted in the Oscar-winning film The Cove and has caused global outrage.
The announcement by the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums 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 the 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.
The Japanese group is sending a letter to WAZA expressing its wish to remain a member of the organisation.
