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Marine Life & Conservation

Watch this powerful video about dolphin captivity from Sea Shepherd…

Published

7 years ago

on

Sea Shepherd

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society have released a video about dolphin captivity to coincide with the start of Japan’s annual six-month dolphin drive in Taiji.

The video, titled “Do You Know Where Your Entertainment Comes From?” begins with shots of dolphins performing at a marine park to enthusiastic crowds. The video takes a turn when the same footage begins to go in reverse, but goes further back to trace just how dolphins end up in these dolphinariums in the first place.

That route goes backwards to include crane shots of dolphins being transported, trained in sea pens, the bloody waters of the infamous Cove in Taiji, Japan, and beyond.

Watch the video here:

The accompanying text posted on Sea Shepherd’s You Tube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter account reads:

“Every year from September 1st to March 1st, thousands of dolphins are viciously herded into a hidden cove in Taiji, Japan, by local hunters who have the sole purpose of kidnapping some and murdering the rest. This bloody massacre is conducted with the backing of the Japanese government. The dolphins that are not brutally killed, are permanently traumatized after being forced to witness the horror of their family members being slaughtered. This is then followed by a horrifying existence of living in a tiny 10 X10 enclosure and being forced to beg and learn tricks, just to receive food.

Once they have properly “conformed” to the ritual of performing for a meal, they are ready to be sold into a life of slavery to the highest bidder from marine parks around the world.

The dolphins endure long rides in the back of trucks and on airlines, sometimes for a total of 30-40 hours. If they miraculously survive this trip, when they arrive to their new “home” they are forced into equally small, sometimes smaller pens, and must live and compete with dolphins from other pods. The enslaved dolphins are now required to perform in shows multiple times per day, and in between shows, they are made to “play” in the pools with humans, who want entertainment.

These dolphins are force fed pills that make them more subdued, to keep them from lashing out at humans and this is followed immediately by “uppers”, so they will still have the energy to perform. This is only a small glimpse into the dreadful and cruel existence that an enslaved dolphin must now endure.

If you buy a ticket to a marine park, or participate in a “swim-with-dolphins” program, remember that you are directly contributing to the Taiji dolphin drive, as well as the miserable life that these intelligent and sentient beings are now forced to live.”

Support the work of Sea Shepherd at www.seashepherd.org.

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Marine Life & Conservation

Shark Trust launches Oceanic 31 Shark Art Auction

Published

3 weeks ago

on

November 1, 2024

By

After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.

People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:

https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction

It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.

The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.

One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.

Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:

https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24

Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.

Find out more here:

https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31

 Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”

Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction

Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden

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Marine Life & Conservation

Meet Steve Backshall in the Bite-Back Prize Draw

Published

1 month ago

on

October 21, 2024

By

steve backshall

Until 28 November, prizes worth a massive £10,000 – including experiences, products and tuition – feature in a line-up of items that can be won for £5 in an online prize draw to celebrate Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation’s 20th anniversary and help generate crucial funds for the future.

Top of the list of prizes is the chance to spend time with adventurer and wildlife expert Steve Backshall, a workout session with Nat Geo star Aldo Kane, a kayaking trip alongside white-water expert and diver Sal Montgomery and a Zoom call with ‘shark whisperer’ Cristina Zenato.

On top of that, some of the most admired companies in the diving and scuba industry have been quick to support the charity with fabulous prizes that make the £5 ticket price worth more than just a flutter.

Master Liveaboards, BSAC, Midlands Diving Chamber, Go Freediving and Blue Shark Snorkel have all generously donated experience prizes, while celebrated photographer Alex Mustard has donated a print and artists Scott Gleed and Olivier Leger have donated a sculpture and illustration to help boost the fundraising pot.

Fourth Element has donated Ocean Positive gear and LA watch company Nodus has gifted the charity a stunning dive watch. For land lovers, the charity has included a five star London hotel stay at Bankside Hotel plus a family visit to Longleat Safari Park in the roster of prizes.

Campaign director for Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed with support from companies and individuals that we truly admire and who have supported us on our 20 year journey and we’re truly grateful to them all. While we feel incredibly proud of our achievements over the past two decades – and we are super excited about the next chapter – this prize draw isn’t a vanity project. It represents a real lifeline to our work and important advancements in the global protection of sharks. So we hope divers, dive clubs and even bargain hunters grab some tickets to make this a massive success.”

The charity hopes that the prize draw will generate crucial funds to launch a brand new, ground-breaking, campaign to enrol the public and increase support for the protection of sharks around the world.

To enter the competition visit www.bite-back.com/prizedraw. The prize winners will be announced on 1 December 2024.

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