TOKYO, BERKELEY––The Japanese Association of Zoos & Aquariums may have sunk the profits from “drive fishery” dolphin massacres at Taiji, Japan, but what does the JAZA decision mean for the apparently bigger “drive fishery” killings at Fanalei, in the Solomon Islands? Facing expulsion from the World Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the […]
Out the WA-Zoo for Japanese Association of Zoos & Aquariums
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 is officially “the unifying representative of […]
Fundraising, FADS, “dolphin safe,” & why Ric O’Barry left Earth Island Institute
by Merritt Clifton 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 safe” standard accepts the use of FADs at the expense of sharks, sea turtles, and many other marine species, […]
Ric O’Barry: “You may have received an e-mail with my name on it, but it was not sent by me”
17 December, 2014 As I write this, I am on the ground at the Cove in Taiji. This is my 11th consecutive year visiting the Cove since I first witnessed the slaughter in 2003. My first trip to Taiji was in 1975, five years after the Dolphin Project was born. On September 30, 2014, I […]
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 […]
Nellie, dolphin, lived 61 years at Marineland of Florida
Nellie, 61, a bottlenose dolphin whose life spanned most of the history of performing dolphins in captivity, died on May 4, 2014 at Marineland of Florida, her home since she was born there on February 27, 1953. The seventh dolphin born at Marineland of Florida, and the second born that month, Nellie became the […]
Pat Derby founded the Performing Animal Welfare Society & ARK 2000 sanctuary
Performer turned sanctuarian Pat Derby, 69, founder of the Performing Animal Welfare Society, died from throat cancer on February 15, 2013 at her home on the ARK 2000 sanctuary she built near San Andreas, California. “Ed Stewart, her partner of 37 years, was by her side,” said the PAWS death announcement. Best seller Derby’s 1976 […]
Doubledealing sabotages dolphin rehab & release project in Indonesia
March 2013: JAKARTA, UBUD––Doublecrossed in January 2013 by Solomon Islands dolphin hunters, Dolphin Project founder Ric O’Barry was doublecrossed again a few weeks later in Indonesia. Speaking on the @america live television program, hosted by the U.S. Embassy, Indonesian forestry minister Zulkifli Hasan on February 5, 2013 told O’Barry and Jakarta Animal Aid Network […]
Dirty Pool, part 1
by Merritt Clifton November 1994 ORLANDO, NEW YORK CITY, MYSTIC––Activists don’t believe anything they hear from the “aquaprison industry.” Oceanarium people don’t trust activists to know truth when they see it. And small wonder on either side, given the pitch of the propaganda for and against keeping marine mammals in captivity. This debate differs from […]