The annual dolphin hunt in Taiji, Japan is scheduled to resume in three weeks, September 1.
If u want to be a part of Ric O’Barry- Save Japan Dolphins/Dolphin Project team members you have to bear YOUR OWN EXPENSES such as meal, travel and lodging.
Its about 5 to 7 days in Japan. This would probably include arrival in Osaka (one day), bus down to Taiji (one day), a ceremony at the Cove on Sept. 1st(one day), a day of sightseeing in the local area plus discussions of the issues (one day), return by bus to Osaka (one day), fly home.
No one under 18 years of age is allowed unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
You would be responsible for your air ticket to and from Osaka Airport, for your hotel costs in Osaka and near Taiji (we will be staying in Kii-Katsuura, which is about a 10-15 minute drive from Taiji), and all meals. Bus transportation will be provided from Osaka Airport to Taiji and return, plus bus transport within Taiji during the events. Hotel costs are about $75 to $150 (or more) depending on where you stay. Figure another $30+ per day for meals.
Further info please contact Mary Jo Rice at Earth Island Institute by sending her an e-mail: mjrice@earthisland.org
What can we do??
1. Continue to support groups that work to end suffering of all creatures, but especially dolphins. Tell friends, colleagues, family to Just Say No, Just Don’t Go to
•Dolphin Parks.
•Swim With Dolphin Programs.
•Hotels and Lodges that feature captive dolphins on the property.
•Dolphin “Trainer For A Day” programs.
•Dolphin “Research” facilities that charge large amounts to interact with dolphins.
•Cruise lines that feature stops at Swim With Dolphin Parks.
The Captive Dolphin industry is fueled by money, not love.
If audiences stop buying tickets, these special creatures can stay wild and free.
Richard O'Barry has worked both sides of the dolphin street, the first 10 years with the dolphin captivity industry, the past 38 against it. Working back in the 1960s for Miami Seaquarium, O'Barry captured and trained dolphins, including the five dolphins who played the role of Flipper in the popular American TV-series of the same name. When Kathy, the dolphin who played Flipper most of the time, died in his arms, OʼBarry realized that capturing dolphins and training them to perform silly tricks is simply wrong.
From that moment on, O'Barry knew what he must do with his life. On the first Earth Day, 1970, he founded the Dolphin Project, dedicated to freeing captive dolphins who were viable candidates and educating people throughout the world to the plight of dolphins in captivity. He launched a searing campaign against the multi-billion dollar dolphin captivity industry, telling the public what was really going on at dolphin shows and urging people not to buy tickets to see dolphins play the fool.
O'Barry has rescued and released more than 25 captive dolphins in Haiti, Colombia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Brazil, the Bahamas Islands and the United States. His more than 45 years of experience with dolphins and his firsthand knowledge about the methods used to capture and train them has taken him all over the world to participate in lectures and conferences about the controversial dolphin captivity issue. As he knew it would, this created a lot of hostility toward him by those who stood to profit from the continued exploitation of dolphins.
"They're in this for money. Take it away, and they'll quit doing this," OʼBarry says and adds: "Dolphins are free-ranging, intelligent, and complex wild animals, and they belong in the oceans, not playing the clown in our human schemes."
To recognize his contribution, in 1991 OʼBarry received the 'Environmental Achievement Award' presented by the United States Committee for the United Nations Environmental Program (US/UNEP).
His book 'Behind the Dolphin Smile' was published in 1989, a second book, 'To Free A Dolphin' was published in September 2000. Both of them are about his work and dedication.
O'Barry is a Fellow National in The Explorers Club, a multidisciplinary society that links together scientists and explorers from all over the world. Each member is an accomplished individual with at least one fascinating story to tell.
In January, 2007, O'Barry became the Marine Mammal Specialist for Earth Island Institute and Director of Save Japan Dolphins coalition: www.SaveJapanDolphins.org
A Synopsis about The Cove
The Story
The Cove exposes the slaughter of more than 20,000 dolphins and porpoises off the coast of Japan every year, and how their meat, containing toxic levels of mercury, is sold as food in Japan and other parts of Asia, often labeled as whale meat. The majority of the world is not aware this is happening.
The Solution
The focus of the Social Action Campaign for The Cove is to create worldwide awareness of this annual practice as well as the dangers of eating seafood contaminated with mercury, and to pressure those in power to put an end to the slaughter.
The Results
It’s been working. The film has been making waves since it premiered last year. Critical praise and audience awards worldwide have focused international attention on Taiji and the annual dolphin drives off the coast of Japan. Under intense pressure, Taiji called for a temporary ban on killing bottlenose dolphins in 2009. The film, originally rejected at the Tokyo Film Festival, was eventually shown due to public outcry, and has appeared in theaters in Japan. Residents in Taiji are being tested for mercury poisoning, and for the first time Japanese media are covering the issue.
But the effort needs to continue. On September 1, the six-month dolphin hunting season opened again, and fishermen in Taiji plan to take to the cove despite international pressure. Experts say education, awareness and persistence are needed to eventually turn the tide.1.4MM people have signed the petition to end the slaughter, but this is just the beginning. The hunt still goes on. Find out what you can do to help.
Please Have A Look How Cruel Human Being Are:
The dolphins need our help too.
We believe we can help both the dolphins and the vast majority of the people of Japan who agree with us that the hunts must be stopped.
