Dolphin Drive
Fishery in Taiji: WAZA/JAZA summit leads to incremental progress
WAZA convened a
meeting today in Tokyo with representatives from the Japanese Association of
Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA)...
10 August 2014,
Tokyo, JAPAN - The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) convened a
meeting today in Tokyo with representatives from the Japanese Association of
Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA) in order to discuss concerns regarding the Taiji
dolphin drive fishery hunt. Representatives from Elsa Nature Conservancy were
also in attendance. Potential steps forward were identified during the meeting.
The complexity of
the entire issue was discussed in detail and the different purposes of catches
and the multiple involved parties were identified and discussed. It was made
clear that the take of dolphins for JAZA institutions was relatively minor
compared to the large demand for export of dolphins to many non-JAZA
institutions, the majority of them in China, as well as the continued primary
demand for dolphin meat for consumption in Japan. Non-JAZA institutions and
commercial brokers who facilitate the export of live dolphins in combination
account for far more dolphin takes than do members of JAZA.
However, as JAZA
members still play a role in the live takes, WAZA approached the meeting by
advocating for the eventual elimination of the drive fishery hunt. At the
outset of the meeting, WAZA representatives, Lee Ehmke, President and Gerald
Dick, Executive Director and Suzanne Gendron, Aquarium Committee Vice-Chair
advocated for a moratorium in which dolphin takes would cease for two years in
order to allow for the development of alternatives. Unfortunately, JAZA
indicated that this was not realistic and therefore did not accept the concept
of a moratorium.
As a step towards
the eventual elimination of the drive fisheries, WAZA then proposed that the
hunting and capturing activities be completely separated, JAZA indicated that
the Japanese government and other parties had in the past rejected a similar
proposal but indicated they would reconsider this approach. JAZA then outlined
a number of changes to current practices which will reduce the scope and impact
of JAZA members' involvement in the annual take of dolphins. While WAZA
acknowledges this positive gesture, WAZA indicated that this can only be seen
as a beginning and that more substantive changes must follow.
Following the
initial meeting between WAZA and JAZA, all parties met with several
representatives of Japanese NGOs, organized by ELSA Conservancy to discuss the
drive fisheries operation and agreed to continue open dialogue to seek ways of
ending the dolphin kill.
Though the
developments of the highly anticipated meeting fell short of WAZAs
expectations, WAZA will continue to pursue all opportunities to end the dolphin
drive fishery hunt and will consider further steps and consequences.
Background
The World
Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) is a global organisation that
harmonises the principles, policies, practices and strategy for Zoos and
Aquariums worldwide. Via member regional associations WAZA reaches over 1,300
leading Zoos and Aquariums. WAZA is the unifying representative of the global
Zoos and Aquarium community and works in partnership with international
conservation organisations such as IUCN
and other non-government organisations to advocate for high standards of animal
welfare and to achieve conservation in Zoos and Aquariums (ex situ) and in
nature (in situ). www.waza.org
WAZA Facts and
Figures
Attracting more than
700 million visitors a year, the 1,300 zoos and aquariums that are part of the
WAZA network have the unique potential to attract, inspire and mobilize public
engagement for species and habitat conservation. The Biodiversity Is Us campaign
allows visitors to make a direct connection between people and wildlife. Zoos
and aquariums educate the public on biodiversity conservation, and hence
promote environmentally sustainable development and social and political
change. Some of the revenue produced by the zoos and aquariums is dedicated to
field conservation projects around the world. Collectively, the amount
contributed to these efforts by zoos and aquariums matches or surpasses the
contributions of other leading global conservation organizations.
With 70% of the
world's population living in cities by 2030, zoos and aquariums offer a vital
connection to the importance of biodiversity in our lives.
Contact:
Hyatt Antognini
Amin, Communications Executive for WAZA
(0041) 22 999 07 93
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