Exposing the Taiji Dolphin Trade

This year, we launched a powerful campaign to expose the secretive trade of live dolphins from Taiji, Japan. Our investigator in Japan interviewed a former Taiji dolphin trainer, shining a light on the devastating realities behind the capture and export of live dolphins.

We also released a groundbreaking report uncovering where these dolphins are sent around the world and which global travel companies profit from this cruelty. One of these companies, Traveloka, became the target of a public exposure and financial-impact campaign. On the frontlines in Taiji, activists held banners calling out Traveloka for its role in supporting the dolphin drives.

This progress for dolphins will continue in 2025 to further disrupt the economic drivers of these hunts.

4 people hold signs up at a jetty against Traveloka

A Step Toward Removing Shark Nets in NSW

In a historic move, shark nets were removed from New South Wales beaches a month earlier than usual, sparing countless marine animals from entanglement. This marks the biggest change to the shark control program in over 40 years.

The State Government also announced plans for council collaboration next year to review the removal of these harmful nets altogether. We’ve already begun lobbying every coastal council in NSW to call for permanent shark net removal. This is a positive step toward achieving this goal in 2025.

High shot of a beach with orange sand and blue water

Promoting Ethical Dolphin Watching

To encourage ethical ways of engaging with dolphins, we launched a Responsible Dolphin Watching Guide, created with the help of dozens of volunteers across Eastern Australia. We’ve promoted this guide with tourists and locals to encourage seeing these beautiful animals in the wild, where they belong.

A pod of dolphins swimming on the surface of the ocean

Reaching Thousands with Our Message

Raising awareness is vital to creating long-term change for dolphins. This year, our team reached thousands of new people through podcasts, radio, media coverage, and social media. Our CEO, Hannah, appeared on the Ocean Protect Podcast to spread the word about the plight of dolphins and the work we’re doing to protect them.

Listen to the episode here.

Dolphin jumping out of a pink, yellow and light blue ocean

Looking Ahead to 2025

Campaigning to protect dolphins involves long-term strategies, and while change won’t happen overnight, every step forward brings us closer to a world where dolphins can live free from suffering.

Next year, we’re planning to:

  • Expand our campaigns to financially disrupt the Taiji dolphin hunts.
  • Push for stronger protections for wild dolphins.
  • Launch bold new projects to combat dolphin captivity in Australia.

 

Together, we’re creating real, lasting change. As we prepare for 2025, we invite you to continue this journey with us. Let’s make the year ahead even more impactful.

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