by Mark Berman
International Marine Mammal Project
Dr. Paul Spong of Orcalab, Canada, and I spent 10 days in February touring Japan for whale and dolphin conservation. The Whale and Dolphin Action Network and Free Orca Society invited us, and the wildlife and captive animal protection group ALIVE! and Earth Island's Japan Environmental Exchange also sponsored presentations.
We worked separately and together, in Tokyo and the Kansei area (Nagoya, Kobe, Kyoto), in public symposiums and at schools. We reached about 2,000 people directly, and several million others via news broadcasts or newspaper stories in Japan Times, Asahi News, Asahi Science News Magazine, Mainichi Daily News, and others.
We discussed the Taiji orca capture in 1997, when a family of 10 orcas was ripped apart, leaving five in the wild and five in captivity. Two died later in 1997; the remaining three are likely to live for some time, so there's still a chance of returning them to the ocean and their family. That chance is very slim at the moment, but given the enthusiastic reaction to Keiko's story, the outlook will certainly improve when Keiko finally connects with his family.
Nagoya Aquarium
Part of the reason for this trip to Japan was to help stir up awareness of and opposition to the Nagoya Aquarium's planned captive display facility for orcas and beluga whales. The February 14th Nagoya symposium took place in the Nagoya Port building next door to the aquarium, and Paul was able to tour the aquarium.
The aquarium is a mix of old and new exhibit styles. Most of it is typical barren concrete fish tanks, but there are excellent high-tech features as well. I was particularly impressed by a holographic display of a luminescent deep-sea creature called a slender oarfish, and by another holographic display of life in the dark ocean depths near a volcanic vent, as viewed from a deep-sea submersible. The aquarium could certainly use high tech exhibits without incarcerating marine mammals in tanks. High-tech interactive exhibits are becoming popular in Japanese museums.
Unfortunately, the space for the new Nagoya tanks has already been cleared and ground was being dug. No concrete has been poured yet, so it's still possible for director Uchida to change his plan, but that seems unlikely. The best chance for reversal is to have the City of Nagoya. which is paying the costs, use its influence. Free Orca Society friends in Japan will be doing their best to convince Nagoya officials to rethink the aquarium's plans. A visit to the Monterey Aquarium would help them. Failing a change in direction, I'm afraid we're facing the prospect of a new demand for captive orcas and belugas in Japan. That probably means Russian involvement.
Keiko's story
People in Japan loved hearing the great news about the progress Keiko is making towards being reunited with his family in Icelandic waters. My story of Keiko's journey home was very well received in the symposiums and schools, and by the media. It made the front page of Japan's national daily paper, Asahi Shimbun. The real sense of progress and hope that Keiko's story brings to the captivity issue cannot be overestimated. When Keiko is seen swimming with free orcas again, the news will be as big in Japan as anywhere else in the world.
I spoke at two schools. At Tokyo's public Higashi Shimane Junior High School, I was impressed by the students' questions and comments. The students at the progressive school, Jiyuno-Mori, where Nanami Kurasawa had been working, were also very enlightening. One student, Yasuko Shimada, was very outspoken, saw many contradictions in our campaign to save whales, and decided to visit the Bay Area. Yasuko went on an Oceanic Society whale watch and her entire outlook was changed. She went home to save the whales.
The friends of whales in Japan are enthusiastic and committed. They are influencing the public, the media, and the government. The government of Japan is far more sensitive to whale issues than it used to be, because of this internal opposition. In the short run this sensitivity is seen in government propaganda campaigns aimed at convincing the public that whaling is a normal and historic practice, and in school lunch programs attempting - unsuccessfully - to encourage children to eat whale meat. Most of the whale meat was ending up in the cafeteria garbage cans. In the long run the true spirit of the Japanese people, to live in harmony with nature, will prevail.
Domo arigato gozaimasu
I cannot thank our supporters in Japan enough: IKAN, the Free Orcas, and several other groups that participated in making the arrangements for Paul and me. To Nanami Kurasawa, Seiji Inagaki, Chie Yoshimune, Hideichi Nishizawa, Fusako Nogami, Mieko Yamanishi, and Masako Miyaji, and everyone else who helped us, I say Domo arigato gozaimasu... Thank you very much!
Keiko update
The dream of returning the orca Keiko - star of the Free Willy movies - to the ocean has finally been realized. Keiko is safely home in his native Icelandic waters. Keiko was warmly received by the Icelandic Westman Islands community: over 4,000 children and adults with signs, banners, and t-shirtsreading "Velkommen Keiko". Schools gave students the day off for this wonderful celebration.
Keiko's arrival is spurring an increase in research on wild orcas and the Icelandic marine environment. It was gratifying to hear so many people in Iceland excitedly welcoming Keiko back. There is little doubt that his return will lead to new understanding in Iceland of the value of watching, studying, and protecting whales.
The Oceanic Society and Earth Island Institute conducted a 10 day whalewatching trip to Iceland, with Keiko as a key element, in May and June. IMMP's Dave Phillips was one of the trip leaders and naturalists. Not only did participants pay air and land travel fees, they spent money on meals, lodging, souvenirs, and so forth. We may yet prove that living whales can bring more to Iceland's economy than the slaughter of whales.
Mark Berman is Program Associate with the International Marine Mammal Project.
IMMP Goes to Japan