Reppy Sails to Save 
Dolphins and Whales

Michael Reppy's 1997 mission in sailing to Japan is to stop the killing and capturing of dolphins and whales.
 
By breaking the Transpacific record, Michael will bring attention to the brutal killing of dolphins by Japanese fishers. In their annual "Drive Fishery", fishers herd hundreds of whales and dolphins into shallows where they are beached and butchered. 

The sail is in support of Japanese Environmentalists who have documented and condemned the recent October 18, 1996 slaughter at Futo Bay which was authorized by the Japanese Fisheries Minister. The environmentalists also exposed the selling of some of the dolphins and false killer whales to marine parks. It was reported that buyers purchased 37 bottlenose dolphins and 6 pseudo-orcas which were loaded for transport to aquariums. Approximately 100 remaining marine mammals were moved to be slaughtered. Over 21 Japanese organizations signed letters of condemnation. 
 

Free the Taiji Five

In addition, Michael will be protesting the more recent (February 21, 1997) capture of 10 Orcas (Killer Whales) off the coast of Taiji, 150 miles south of Tokyo. Five of the Orcas have been released, but the other five are being sold for $250,000 (US dollars) each to Japanese aquaria for display. The orca's are dying of starvation and dehydration, since they will not eat. Orca's are hydrated by the intake of food, and in captivity, many previously wild orcas, starve themselves.

The Japanese government has sanctioned the capture for "scientific research". This is the first orca capture by Japan in 10 years. The U.S. government has banned the import of dolphins and whales caught in drive fisheries, such as this occuring in Taiji.

Reppy's sail to Japan will add further international attention and pressure on the Japanese government to stop all killing or capture of dolphins and whales. Adding international support to this movement could help end this brutal practice and save thousands of marine mammals in the future.

NAI'A's Environmental Successes

For the past four years, Michael Reppy has been sailing NAI'A as a part of a joint project with Earth Island Institute's (EII) SAVE THE DOLPHINS PROJECT. This project was instrumental in stopping the U.S. Tuna Industry from buying tuna caught in nets which drown dolphins. This ended in the tuna cans labeled "Dolphin Safe".

EII is leading the fight to stop Congress from rolling back legislation protecting dolphins. The so-called "Dolphin Death Act" was halted last year, but may be revived again for another round this year. EII will again lead the fight to SAVE THE DOLPHINS!!

Photographs compliments of the The Marine Mammal Center 


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Contact Michael Reppy or Cindy Cione (press contact) at mreppy@tchild.org
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