What is WWF’s position on dolphin hunts?
There are some cetacean hunts which WWF does not oppose, such as those in the Arctic, which are undertaken by indigenous peoples, and are necessary for subsistence purposes and are an important part of the traditions and cultures of the indigenous people involved. For example, “aboriginal subsistence whaling” is approved by the IWC in order to meet the subsistence food needs of indigenous communities (e.g. Russia, Alaska and Greenland). The “drive-hunt” hunt in Japan cannot be justified on either of those grounds. “Drive hunting” dolphins in Japan was once widespread, but in recent times was limited mainly to two villages – Futo in Shizuoka Prefecture, and Taiji in Wakayama Prefecture. Footage of the Futo hunt taken in 1999 raised an international outcry. The Futo hunt was apparently suspended in 2000, although a small drive hunt in 2004 resulted in five dolphins killed, and 14 sent to aquariums. It appears that the drive hunt no longer continues in Futo – Futo village have established
