Two conservationists have been arrested in Japan after setting free dolphins that were about to be killed by local fishermen.
Allison Lance-Watson from the United States and Alex Cornelissen of the Netherlands were arrested by police in Taiji for interfering with the annual dolphin roundup.
The conservationists, both members ofthe Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, were arrested on Tuesday afternoon local time, according to a statement from the Society.
"Lance-Watson and Cornelissen dove into the bay where 15 adult, adolescent and baby dolphins had been herded and penned in by Japanese fishermen," the statement said.
After swimming for over an hour, the pair untied and lowered sections of the net creating an escape route for the dolphins.
"Both crewmembers were immediately arrested as they swam to shore and taken to neighbouring Shingu police station for questioning.
Two other Sea Shepherd crewmembers remain in the area.
Taiji is a small fishing village in the southern part of mainland Japan, near the city of Osaka. In early October Sea Shepherd crewmembers filmed and photographed the slaughter of over 60 striped dolphins in the coves near the village.
