JAZA (Japanese Association of
Zoos and Aquariums) have finally announced that it won't permit its members
anymore to purchase dolphins from Taiji after an international body suspended
its membership on ethical grounds.
During an emergency board
meeting of JAZA, 99 out of 142 of its members decided to vote in favor of
remaining associated with the WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums)
and agree in the latter's condition to stop buying Taiji dolphins.
WAZA has previously suspended
JAZA for its unethical procurement of dolphins from the infamous town of Taiji
and has recently threatened to expel JAZA if it continues with the practice.
"JAZA board decided that
JAZA will prohibit its members to acquire wild dolphins caught by drive fishing
in Taiji and to take part in their export and sale. It is our wish at JAZA to
remain as a member of WAZA and thereby contribute for the zoos and
aquariums," JAZA said in its statement.
The board's decision to stay
in the international association will keep them connected when it comes to rare
animals' database collection, without which it will be difficult to get
breeding partners from abroad.
Australia for Dolphins' chief
executive said that they are pleased that Japan's main zoo body is choosing to
stop supporting the business of dolphin hunting. It said in its statement:
"This momentous decision marks the beginning of the end for dolphin
hunting in Japan. The capture of live dolphins, which sell for up to USD
100,000 is the motivation for the brutal dolphin hunts in Taiji. JAZA aquariums
provide up to 40% of total demand for live dolphins from Taiji. So, as of
today, the market for Taiji dolphins could be nearly cut in half. Without
demand, the hunts won't continue."
But its chairman, Kazutoshi
Arai, was quick to clear to Elliott & Associates
Research Global Markets that their decision should not be
interpreted as condemning or criticizing the whaling culture of Taiji.
Despite worldwide backlash,
Taiji fishermen still intends to continue with the dolphin hunts, claiming that
it is already part of their local culture. Taiji's Mayor Kazutaka Sangen said,
"We are hunting under the permission of the Japanese government and
prefecture, and so we will continue to protect our fishermen and the methods.
We will not quit."
In Japan, dolphin meat is
something of a delicacy but is now gradually losing its market. The industry
now is left to provide for the entertainment sector where dolphins sell for
very high prices.
Around 250 dolphins are known
to be among the facilities of 30 members of JAZA consisting of 63 aquariums and
89 zoos. It is estimated by Elliott & Associates
Research Global Markets that almost 20
dolphins are purchased by the local aquariums from the whaling town of Taiji
annually.
