Trafficking in live dolphins is on the upsurge worldwide, as dolphins are captured from the wild and put in popular "swim-with-dolphins" tanks in hotels and in aquariums. But many of these dolphins are taken in horrific drive fisheries (in such places as Taiji, Japan, and the Solomon Islands), where the balance of the dolphin pod is driven ashore and butchered for the meat trade. Only a few of the choice "show dolphins" are spared, but these dolphins will bring the dolphin hunters thousands of dollars more than the butchered dolphin meat, helping to subsidize the inhumane drive hunts. Furthermore, dolphins and other cetaceans often die early in captivity due to the stress of capture and the failure of small tanks to meet the biological and psychological needs of these intelligent animals. And many of the local dolphin populations are depleted by the captures, resulting in local decline and even extinction of dolphin populations. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is an international treaty protecting dolphins and other wildlife from extinction due to over-exploitation and international trade. It is time to protect local dolphin populations and stop the drive fisheries that feed the "swim-with-dolphins" tourist trade.
Send an e-mail to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to help halt the trafficking of live dolphins! Simply Cut & Paste the following letter into the email:
I am deeply concerned about the trafficking in live wild dolphins for "swim-with-dolphins" tourist shows and for-profit aquariums. Many of these dolphins, such as in Japan and in the Solomon Islands, are caught in cruel drive fisheries. The sale of a few live dolphins subsidizes the slaughter of hundreds more. Even those that survive the slaughter often die in captivity. I urge you to do all you can to help stop the Solomon Islands and Japan from continued slaughter and trafficking in these intelligent, vulnerable marine mammals. And please make sure that the governments of the Dominican Republic, United Arab Emirates, Panama, and other potential importers understand that dolphin trafficking should end.
Thank you.
Click Here to send the email.
Additional Information
Contact:
Mark J. Palmer
mpalmer@cal.net
Associate Director
International Marine Mammal Project
Wildlife Alive Subproject
Earth Island Institute
300 Broadway, Suite 28
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 788-3666 x139 (SF Office)
(530) 758-6022 (Davis Office)
(415) 788-7324 (fax)
Click Here to go to the Petition Page.
© 2008, Saving Dolphins
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