Whale expert Ingrid Visser clings to the dorsal fin of a stranded orca whale while other rescuers help at Ruakaka Beach in 2010. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Whale expert Ingrid Visser clings to the dorsal fin of a stranded orca whale while other rescuers help at Ruakaka Beach in 2010. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Tutukaka's Ingrid Visser is part of a growing international pool of marine environmentalists voicing outrage over the annual massacre of thousands of dolphins and porpoises in Japan.
The group Dr Visser founded, Orca Research Trust and Whale Rescue, is a major player in the World Cetacean Alliance which is callingfor a mass, world public protest against the slaughter that is about to start in Japan.
From September to March, a dolphin hunt made famous in the film The Cove will see thousands of the marine mammals hunted or trapped by nets and then slaughtered, either by harpooning or by having a metal stake driven into their heads.
But before large pods are herded, trapped and killed in a commercial fishery operation at the coastal village of Taiji, the hunters choose prime young animals to sell for up to $150,000 - 250 times the value of those killed for their meat - to aquatic parks around the world.
There will be protests and vigils worldwide over the next few days, including at Japanese embassies and consulates.
The alliance is urging people to boycott parks using sea mammals for entertainment if they do not actively and publicly oppose the Taiji hunt.
Dr Visser's international recognition as an orca and dolphin expert has increased even further through her efforts to save an orca called Morgan, who was "rescued" but made to perform tricks at an aquarium in Spain.
The alliance was launched in June this year by honorary president Jean-Michel Cousteau and already has partners in 13 countries, with a combined network of over 750,000 supporters.
