Please do not resume the dolphin drive hunt

We have recently learned that the Ito fishermen's association plans to resume a dolphin drive hunt in October.We understand several domestic aquariums have already ordered animals and that the hunt will be driven by the demand these aquariums have created.

It is unfortunate that at a time when countries are passing laws outlawing whale and dolphin captivity and sanctuaries are being built to retire captives to expansive natural sea pen environments, that Japanese fishermen plan to engage in regressive, anti environmental, anti-scientific whale captures.

In addition, the Japanese fishermen should realize the potentially catastrophic effects on sea life, including dolphins, posed by global climate change, ocean acidification, pollution and other factors. Their proposed drive hunt will only add to those problems and make things even worse.

(photo: In Taiji)