The graph we received from the Fishery Agency shows the new quota. Over the past 2 years,the Fishery Agency has given the following answers to IKAN:

The quota shall be amended because many years have passed since the dolphin catch quota was set up and new data has been collected.

The Fishery Agency has set up the new quota based on new scientific data from the reference of PBR (potential biological removal) established by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). It would mean that the new quota is not be as supportive for the industry as the previous one was. For those species where their actual catch numbers did not reach their quotas or not was caught at all will be removed.

However, there will be new species added to the the quota,

Read more: The dolphin catch quota was amended for the first time in 14 years

We appreciate the Agency decreased the quota for dolphins, however, we are still strongly concerned about the following:

• The estimated individual number lacks accuracy because not enough research has been conducted.
• Fishing methods should be more carefully considered, especially drive-hunting, which can eliminate entire groups of individuals and involve the use of hand held harpoons and sticks for catching large cetaceans.
• The Agency needs to correctly understand the actual situation of local fishing industries, for at present, it does not. For example, a small cetacean hunting operations are not operated in Aomori and a small cetacean hunting is going to be finished in Shizuoka. Also their stated number of ships which are permitted to hunt is incorrect.

  Read more: Dolphin hunting Quota (2008-2009)

On Oct. 24th, 2000, a male orca died at Izu-Mito Sea Paradise.
In this year only, already two orcas have died in Japan.

IRUKA & KUJIRA (Dolphin & Whale) ACTION NETWORK took this occasion to write protest letters to aquariums;

To participants in Aquariums

'Release Orcas'

We have been feeling grief at the sad news that a male orca called Yamato, (his ex-name was Tanouk), who was displayed at Izu-Mito Sea Paradise, died there on Oct. 24th.

Read more: Another Orca Dies at Japanese Aquarium!

Four years have passed since the capture of 5 orcas at Taiji in Wakayama prefecture. Within 4 months of the capture, the smallest male and the female that was thought to be pregnant died, and the remaining 3 are still being kept in isolation from each other in separate aquariums. Wild orcas are said to live their whole lives with their families. Our concern is whether the 3 captive would be able to recognize each other if they were to be released. Another problem concerns the remaining family of the captive orcas. At the time of the capture, there were 5 other family members that were released back into the ocean. Normally, the leader role of the pod is passed on from the mother orca to the young female orca. Is the pod able to survive without the young female orca, and if so, where is the pod now?

Read more: Free the 3 Orcas Captured in Taiji '97