Two More Species of Dolphins Added to Taiji's Hunts
An Animal Rights Article from All-Creatures.org

FROM

Rick O'Barry's Dolphin Project
June 2017

NOTE: Japan Dolphins Day - Worldwide Protests - September 1

With a trained dolphin worth as much as $155,000 USD, it’s feasible that additional species of dolphins have been added to fill orders, especially if bottlenose stocks have been depleted.

taiji dolphins
Panicked dolphins trapped in nets, Taiji, Japan - Credit: DolphinProject.com

"Outrageous and unnecessary, Taiji’s war on dolphins has just escalated."
~ Ric O’Barry, Founder/Director of Dolphin Project

Taiji’s notorious drive fisheries, scheduled to commence on or around September 1, will now include two additional species for either capture or slaughter. Rough-toothed dolphins and melon-headed whales – both pelagic, or deep water species – will be added to the 2017/18 catch quota, as set by the Japanese Fisheries Agency.

It has been previously reported that the agency was considering the addition of 46 rough-toothed dolphins – possibly for captive display, and 704 melon-headed whales – likely for a combination of display and consumption – but these numbers have not yet been confirmed. During the 2016/17 season, a total of 804 dolphins across six species were taken captive and/or slaughtered. Dolphins were chased, harassed, manhandled and injured – all fueled by the lucrative captivity trade which supplies dolphinariums and marine parks across the world with cetacean “entertainment.”

With a trained dolphin worth as much as $155,000 USD, it’s feasible that additional species of dolphins have been added to fill orders, especially if bottlenose stocks have been depleted.

The species targeted in the drive fisheries include:

  • Striped dolphins
  • Bottlenose dolphins
  • Pacific white-sided dolphins
  • Pantropical spotted dolphins
  • Risso’s dolphins
  • Short-finned pilot whales
  • False killer whales
  • Rough-toothed dolphins (new to 2017/18 season)
  • Melon-headed whales (new to 2017/18 season)

Dolphin Project Cove Monitors will once again, be on the ground in Taiji for the entire six-month dolphin hunting season to document and disseminate information on the hunts. Planning is currently underway for our 2017/18 campaign. 

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