Worldwide connections

Although the drive hunts occur within Japan, the dolphins which are captured may end up in captive dolphin facilities worldwide.

Dolphins captured from the drive hunts will initially be transferred to facilities within Japan, of which there are over 50 facilities predominantly filled with wild captured dolphins from the drive hunt. Once within these facilities, the dolphins become part of the worldwide pool of dolphins which can be traded and transferred around the world. As the dolphins are held in captivity, it may be that they will be transferred as "captive" dolphins and therefore the taboo of being captured from the wild is removed.

Closer to home than you think...
In late 2006, Ocean World Adventure Park in the Dominican Republic ordered 12 dolphins from the Taiji dolphin drive hunts. Ocean World, a popular tourist attraction in the Dominican Republic with the British public, claimed it was "rescuing" the twelve dolphins but it is the payment for each of these dolphins (up to US$100,000) which in fact financially sustains the drive hunts.

TUI-UK (Thomson) and their subsidiary company First Choice Holidays sell excursions to this facility despite having been informed of the issues surrounding the dolphin drive hunts and Ocean World.

Ironically, despite being a partner in the Year of the Dolphin, an initiative which seeks to eliminate threats to wild dolphins, TUI-UK (Thomson) advertise Ocean World Adventure Park dolphin swims on its website. One of the threats which Year of the Dolphin seeks to address is "deliberate hunts". The dolphin drive hunts in Japan are the definition of a "deliberate hunt" yet TUI-UK (Thomson) still encourage its customers to visit the facility. The Marine Connection believe this is a major contradiction and for TUI to truly commit itself to the plight of wild dolphins it should stop profiting from dolphins in captivity altogether.

We are delighted to report that following international ourcry and condemnation plans for these transfers were stopped, however there can be little doubt that, even had the transfers proceeded, TUI/Thomson would have continued to sell this excursion to their customers.

For more information on TUI and Year of the Dolphin, please click here.

Image of dolphin in van: © Elsa Nature Conservancy