Saving Dolphins

The loss of dolphins in Taiji Cove, captured in statistics.

The INTERNATIONAL MARINE MAMMAL PROJECT (IMMP), part of the EARTH ISLAND INSTITUTE, has been fighting on behalf of both dolphins and whales by launching various projects to conserve their numbers and advocate for better treatment. Some of these efforts are leading entertainment groups to consider the welfare of the animals they house by allowing dolphins and whales the freedom of the seas, rather than captivity. For instance, The National Aquarium in Baltimore made the decision to release their dolphins to an appropriate sanctuary and change the exhibition area so visitors could have closer access to plants and animals native to Maryland Shores.

The change has come in response to a differing view of marine mammals, one that treats them as having some characteristics of personhood, such as ability to think, make decisions, experience feelings and pain. Some of this change originates in the DOLPHIN PROJECT, a campaign sponsored and staffed by IMMP.



Laura Bridgman is a young woman who completed a degree in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of Ottawa. Yes, she's a Canadian native and she has become the Campaign and Communication Specialist for IMMP and Program Associate at Dolphin Project, where she is able to utilize her knowledge of marine mammals to research their abilities and also advocate on their behalf.

In her work, Laura met and got to know a dolphin, named Jane, still in the wild. She studied this dolphin to add to the knowledge about dolphin communications and the animals' tendency to develop relationships with humans, maybe for no other reason than friendship. Learning about a particular dolphin in this way has increased her ability to advocate for this marine mammal in such areas as preventing their subjection to cruel conditions in captivity; remaining in open ocean and seas, where they can live with their dolphin community; and dolphin-safe fishing methods, which prevent them from being captured by fish factory ships.

Angel, a dolphin being held alone, in captivity, in Japan.

The internet, of course, has helped spread information about conditions that are friendly to dolphins and whales and also points out practices by various companies that maintain marine mammals in captivity and that lead to severe injuries and early deaths of creatures without access to their normal habitats. They are also successful in pointing out practices of specific countries that are decimating the numbers of marine mammals. It all provides another way of looking at creatures that have their own communities, thinking processes, and emotions. And that makes this world a much better place.

A demonstration on behalf of dolphins in San Francisco, giving voice to those without voices.

Thanks to this article from Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/laura-bridgeman-the-jane-dolphin-project/; and the above links.

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