Suspends membership over Taiji dolphin slaughter GENEVA, Switzerland––The World Association of Zoos & Aquariums governing council on April 22, 2015 announced that it had voted unanimously to suspend the membership of the Japanese Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Calling itself WAZA for short, but “The WA-Zoo” to critics, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums […]
Fundraising, FADS, “dolphin safe,” & why Ric O’Barry left Earth Island Institute
The U.S. “dolphin safe” standard accepts the use of FADs at the expense of sharks, sea turtles, and many other marine species BERKELEY, OAKLAND––“FADs are bad,” says dolphin defender Ric O’Barry. By FADs, O’Barry means a fishing method so deadly that he believes it makes a travesty of “dolphin safe” tuna labeling. The U.S. “dolphin […]
The Ric O’Barry prequels to “The Cove” and “Blackfish”
To Free A Dolphin 2000. 269 pages, hardcover. $23.95. Behind The Dolphin Smile 1988, 2000. 300 pages, paperback. $15.95. Both by Ric O Barry with Keith Coulbourn Renaissance Books (5858 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90036.) Reviewed by Merritt Clifton Dolphin Project founder Ric O’Barry is now an internationally recognized film star, through […]
Waiting for the Rising Sun: Ric O’Barry’s wish for 2015
by Ric O’Barry 16 December, 2014 It’s just after 5:30 a.m., local time in Taiji. I’m at the harbor now, waiting for the sun to rise. From the moment I leave my hotel, I am surrounded by police. I am glad they are here, as they’re professional, respectful and fair to both sides. It’s a […]
Defying International Court of Justice, Japan announces plan to kill another 4,000 whales in the name of research
Japan Fisheries Agency proposes to kill 333 minke whales per year TOKYO––Defying a March 2014 ruling by the International Court of Justice and a September 2014 International Whaling Commission resolution, the Japanese government on November 18, 2014 announced that it intends to resume so-called “research whaling” in Antarctic waters during the winter of 2015-2016. […]
Post-Fukushima lawsuit may reshape the politics of animal welfare in Japan
Repercussions for animals continue TOKYO––Aftershocks from the March 11, 2011 earthquake that devastated the Tohoku region of Japan long since faded into occasional tremors. Debris from the tsunami that followed has mostly been cleared away, except in the no-man’s-land surrounding the stricken Fukushima nuclear reactor complex. But repercussions for animals continue, including the rise […]
International Court of Justice rules against Japanese “research” whaling
Judgment stipulates that it is “final, without appeal and binding” DEN HAAG, Nederlands––The 16-member International Court of Justice, the chief judicial organ of the United Nations, on March 31, 2014 ruled by a vote of 12-4 that Japan “shall revoke any extant authorization, permit or licence granted” to allow whaling in the Antarctic region, “and […]