Dine With Dolphins, Sushi for Singles, and Godiva Cocktails for Valentine's Day

• Somehow i don't think any of us are getting their information from the movie The Cove. We all have watched it, sure. But after that, most of us did some thorough research. Talked to people who had been down in Taiji. Who even live in Japan to keep updates on how the situations are out there. We don't need propaganda. If we did, we would actually stand by your side. Because all the things you're claiming here is nothing more than .... propaganda. I bet if someone would tell u that a whale farted, even if it wasn't true, u still would believe their word. Because they are part of the governments. Governments whom are known for their corrupt behaviour. Whom are known for their lies. Yet to you, all of them are correct, and people who are at the spot, they are telling lies. Get ur own facts straight, and stop to believe what Governments are selling!

• http://animal.discovery.com/tv/blood-dolphins/dolphins/opposition-dolphins-captivity.html

• There is no question of ''whether or not fanangling of dolphins'' is occurring. It is and there is no way for NOAA to investigate each and every dolphin or whales true origin. With that being said, the bottom line still remains the same. Captive breeding programs = $$$ for Sea World, MSQ and every other marine mammal park. This is assuming that the captive born calves even survive their first year of life. They are not being bred for research or conservation. They are being born and bred into a life of servitude and slavery and will never even have a clue about how to behave like a true dolphin! That alone, makes them poor research subjects, unless your idea of research involves necropsy's on dead dolphin and whale calves. I'm quite certain that there have been more than plenty of corpses for that type of research because Sea World and MSQ have an abysmal record for keeping their dolphins and whales alive! Let me rephrase that... They have an abysmal record for causing the premature deaths of hundreds of dolphins, over the last 30 years. Let us assume that cetaceans possess intellectual abilities and thought processes that are near or equal and perhaps even superior to those which humans possess. If this is true, it only makes the captive breeding programs that much more unethical and cruel. It would be no different, whatsoever, than breeding human children in cages and teaching them nothing but how to juggle balls and do other ''stupid human tricks'', before shipping them off to a circus to spend the rest of their unnatural lives, performing three or four 20 minute shows a day and then being sent back to their cages to sit and languish in sheer boredom, until it's ''SHOWTIME'' once again! Whether or not Sea World or MSQ gets their dolphins from Taiji or from their own, captive breeding programs is irrelevant. These facilities do nothing to teach children or adults that don't otherwise, have the resources, as you mentioned above, to learn about wild dolphin behavior, because the dolphins and whales that are born in captivity, haven't the foggiest idea either...but they can sure toss a basketball through a hoop and then wave to the crowd, on command, can't they???

• I don't think you get the whole idea. Marine mammals don't belong in captivity. If they get injured, sure, where we can let us rescue them and fix them up. But they don't belong to us, and we certainly don't have the right to exploit them by training them to do tricks for ignorant people. When the animals are healed, they should've put them back into the wild. The excuse as : we can't release them, cause we don't know where the family is....sorry, that's a lame one. In Lolita's case they do know where they are, and still they keep her in captivity. I bet it's the same with Argo. They do know where they are, but didn't feel the need to take him back into the wild. Since he's a money making topic. And we all know, money is the main goal for places such as SeaWorld. I really can't understand why you think he'll have a better quality life in the US than he did in Japan. He will still eat dead fish, and it's a known fact, that dolphins/whales, don't like to eat dead fish. But they don't have an option. I have an idea, seeing he'll be with other pilot whales, well once they've adapt with each other, let SeaWorld release the group of pilot whales in the wild again. Seeing this will be his new family. They will be able to survive, these animals don't lose their natural instincts. The same goes with Lolita, they know where her family is, bring her back to them. Give her a life to enjoy in her final years. That is what we all want, we don't wanna see animals locked up in a concrete tank. These mammals belong in the oceans, not in a Marine Park for our entertainment. Why don't we bring humans in such tanks, and see how they would feel when swimming in circles while people are watching them through glass. That would be inhumane? Nah, it's not, since you don't think it's inhumane for mammals such as Argo, Lolita and the many others. You just don't wanna see the importance of the matter. You believe SeaWorld takes good care for these animals, when in reality they are just exploiting them for their own greedy benefits. None of these marine mammals should be in a concrete tank, they should swim free. And SeaWorld can do this, but they don't wanna lose their money making subjects.

• Whether or not there can be fanangling of dolphins' identities, the NOAA will investigate where it originally came from. But SeaWorld and MSQ have captive breeding programs, anyway, and do not import animals.

• The MSQ and US aquariums do not acquire dolphins from Taiji. The US prohibits acquiring dolphins from there and the accredited aquariums are also opposed to Taiji. This is the error that "The Cove" is spreading. No animals go into the US and the dolphins slaughters are by Japanese fishermen who kill dolphins to reduce their competition for fish since Japan has over-fished its waters. It has been going on there for years before dolphins were even used for captivity. The dolphins that are captured there are sold to Asian, Russian, African facilities, not the US.

• The pilot whale in question was rescued 7 years ago near Kamogawa and has been in their care since then. The NOAA/NMFS of the US knows and keeps records of marine mammals and transfers. They investigate the circumstances of an animal before issuing a permit. Thus, the fed gov is aware of the transfer because it has to approve it and issue a permit for an animal to be able to come into the US. Don't know that SeaWorld SanDiego even would need a pilot whale for performing, as you say. They are willing to pay for its care and provide a better home for it than in Japan by itself.

• That's ridiculous to imply Miama SeaQuarium gets dolphins from Taiji. No one in the US can or is getting animals from Taiji. Are you aware the US has laws against it and would not issue a permit for the acquisition? Taiji has no connection with US aquariums!

• Versteven, Argo, a young calf, was actually rescued in Japan 7 years ago and has been at Kamogawa all this time. He is only being transferred to SeaWorld so he can be with other pilot whales. You would want this for him, wouldn't you? It's no different than wanting for Lolita to have other orcas for companions. Whether he performs at SeaWorld is not the issue, it's THAT HE CAN HAVE A BETTER QUALITY LIFE THERE than Kamogawa.

• I also strongly recommend watching the 1998 documentary ''A Fall From Freedom...The untold truth behind the captive whale and dolphin industry'' (Earthviews Productions). It exposes the way dolphins and whales are captured and shuffled around the world, from one captive facility to another, oftentimes having their documentation (name-age and even sex) changed along the way, until no one can be certain from where they came. Some, if not most, are used for captive breeding programs. Sea World, Miami Seaquarium and other U.S. dolphinaria may not be allowed to buy dolphins and whales from wild captures, but there are no laws that prevent them from buying the 'captivity born' offspring of those dolphins and whales. There are loop holes that are big enough for an orca to slip through...and the MMPA does nothing to prevent it!!

• SeaWorld got a few orcas YEARS ago, mostly from the North Atlantic and NW Pacific, but most were transferred from other aquariums that were closing. There is no additional research to be done, other than that the US laws do not allow a Taiji-caught animal into the country and none are coming in. There IS NO CONNECTION between US aquariums and dolphin slaughters. I find it absurd that anyone would even tie them together-educational, animal rescue and rehab, conservation, organizations with Japanese fishermen who slaughter dolphins because they are reducing their competition for fish in the waters they have over-fished. Why would they KILL DOLPHINS, if they could sell them for captivity? I've done my research, and it's with trustworthy sites, not biased sites that are giving wrong information.

• I said I didn't approve of the add, Dolphinelle, so I don't know why you are picking on me about that. Lucky you, can go out for a walk on the beach and look for dolphins, millions of people can't. And considering the thousands of dolphins in the ocean, I don't expect the few at MSQ are interfering with them, especially since they are not capturing dolphins from the ocean. Perhaps, Just Perhaps, O'Barry turned activist because he couldn't get a job as an animal trainer at an aquarium, but he was able to get a job with Earth Island Institute. I don't have errors in my ways regarding animals, Dolphinelle, and you don't even know me to say that. I actually work to help with neglected and abandoned pets, for child welfare, and for conservation. What do you do to actually make a difference besides posting O'Barry statements? Do you volunteer to help in your community?

• Since i can't reply to Behlshar directly, i have to do it this way, sorry. @ Behlshar : You claim that you're opposed the drive fisheries in Taiji, yet you don't seem to be bothered a lot over the fact that yet another whale is being sent to another house of horrors. To perform for the ignorant population that visits such Marine Parks. I don't see how any marine mammal can benefit by the fact to be stuck in such a park. The first thing they'll do with Argo is, look how his training is, and than bring him asap into one of their own shows. So instead of looking at him as another rescued whale/dolphin which needs good care. They'll see him as yet another money making object. More money is the only aim for such Parks. When will everyone see this? I have to admit, if we don't get new laws to stop the slaughters of dolphins and whales, seals and other ocean wildlife, such parks along with zoos will be the only place to see these gracious animals. We need to step in now, and don't let it come this far. With this dinner with dolphins action, SeaWorld again proves that they are interested more in money than the dolphins. Dolphins need to be free, not in an oversized concrete tank. In Lolita's case, she doesn't even get this. She's in a super small tank. And yet, people don't really say anything about it when they go to see their shows. Only people whom are against these parks dare to put up actions. Humans are so gullible, they don't ask for proof, they always asume that whatever some Marine Park states, that's also the truth. I'm afraid to say this, but i think you're one of them, you'll believe anything such parks tell you. And that's sad, really sad, sorry

• Animals do not belong in Captivity!

• That whole scheme is illogical. The NMFS prohibits import of a Taiji dolphin and investigates where it came from before issuing a permit for transfer. A marine mammal without a valid permit would not make it through US customs. It abides by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. It has the registry to know where the animals are, their history, and where they get transferred to. An animal can not be imported into the US without their permit.The AZA is the accrediting agency. They do not issue the permits, so your scheme is illogical. What do you want to happen to Argo- be left by himself for the rest of his life like Lolita? Someone from some site like Orca Fund, can't recall exactly, had already sent an email to the NMFS asking about Argo, and they were sent a detailed reply. People are so suspicious, looking for bad in everything and everyone rather than concentrating on the actual perpetrators in Japan.

• Also, Dolphinelle, you you research this pilot whale, Argo, you will find that he was not from Taiji, but somewhere near Kamogawa, where, as a very young stranded calf, he was rescued 7 years ago and transported to the Kamogawa aquarium. He has been there 7 years now, and Kamogawa wanted him to be with other pilot whales so they requested SeaWorld to take him. There are documents available to view on this. He was rescued 7 years ago, and NO TIES TO TAIJI. Ask the NMFS yourself if you doubt this.

• In addition, the dolphins that may be rescued and rehabilitated are released if the NMFS deems that they would be able to survive. They do not want to bring greater harm to them by letting them be injured, killed, or die from starvation in the ocean. The injured ones that can't survive in the ocean do not all peform. There are dolphins with missing pectoral fins and damaged dorsal fins that do not perform and are given great care at SeaWorld and other facilities. Also, I did not say in the past that dolphins and orcas were not wild-caught. This is a given. I was actually personally involved in the efforts of the 1980's to stop whaling and captures. But that time is over. The AZA does not allow acquisition of animals from Taiji, and the US laws prohibit the importation. I DO know what I am talking about.

• I have actually done a lot of research, and not just from O'Barry, SeaShepherd, and their sponsored sites. Researched actual documents, regulations, etc. I believe in the TRUTH, not biased comments made to support one's beliefs. I am a zoologist and naturalist and care about the animals, and I am opposed to Taiji and whaling. Just saying there are no ties to the US. The biologists at the Brookfield Zoo also made a public statement last year that no zoos and aquariums that are AZA accredited have animals from Taiji. I read this statement. I read the AZA regulations. I've read the Marine Mammal Protection Act. I'v e read the NOAA site. And I also read the actual documents related to the transfer of the pilot whale Argo that was rescued as an infant calf off Japan's coast and transported to Kamogawa aquarium, where it has been cared for for 7 years. It was not at a US supported aquarium/facility. The Japan aquarium wanted him to be with others of his species, which anyone who cares about animal welfare would want, and requested SeaWorld to take it. You can read these documents. The NMFS gave approval for the transfer so he would have a better life. Argo WAS NOT WILD CAUGHT and had not been in an aquarium with ties to the US SeaWorlds.

• The proof is with the NOAA/NMFS and marine Mammal Protection Act. Read their documents, read their laws and regulations. You should knows these facts before stating such things without knowing the correct information. The NMFS knows where the animal originally came from before Russia, Mexico, or other countries that may have taken a Taiji dolphin.

• The dolphin trainers are Japanese. They are the ones who are going to transport out the captured dolphins. And other countries beside the US will not take any dolphins from Taiji. In the US the NMFS investigates where the dolphin would have come from originally before approving a permit for transfer. Please give the US gov agencies regarding marine mammals and the US aquariums credit for caring about the animals. That is why the laws are in place.

• That is just your slant on things, Dolphinelle. The rescued dolphin is a young calf and it was determined by the experts of the NOAA/NMFS and marine mammal vets that it would not know how to survive in the ocean. If you had any feelings for these animals you wouldn't want it sent out to be eaten by sharks or slashed by boat propellers, or slowly starve. You are saying it will be used for performing, but there is no proof of that. Not all the dolphins perform. It was the NOAA that decided for the dolphin baby to go to the DRC. I'm aware of where the dolphins go from Taiji, that's why I said it doesn't have to do with the US. I don't know what you mean by saying I think Taiji is a lie. I said the animals are not going to the US, but mostly to Asia, Russia, etc.

• The AZA which accredits US aquariums prohibits Taiji animals, the US gov and Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibit Taiji animals. The AZA formally stated none of the accredited aquariums have animals from Taiji and oppose the slaughters there. The US will not let any Taiji animals into the US through the Customs. The original dolphins were caught years ago when there were not laws and the biological information about them that we later learned through research. Use your brains, people, and don't just believe what O'Barry says because he is only promoting his own agenda and coffers through lies and inaccuracies. And, again, I'm talking about Taiji, not about Lolita, who does deserve better conditions.

• Spreading the word for everybody NEVER go to your place again !!! What a horrible thing to do ! I think you all from this aquarium and all the people that can possible think about to go in shuch a place, should watch the documentary THE COVE and see the truth, the blood and the suffering behind this ! ''BOYCOTT MIAMI SEAQUARIUM''!!

• Prligates is right! Don't take our word for it. Research it for yourselves.

• Please! Like the dolphins would like to dine with us, rather that the pods they were massacred from? You must assume we are ignorant! Look up how dolphins are obtained for entertainment purposes. Hardly romantic!

• The "Pro-Captivity" people don't even have the facts. It's like they are just saying what they were told: Lies! Look at the links, videos and the government document. If you still try to argue that dolphins should be incarcerated, you must be paid a lot to say so. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3gAKsyEjSs http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2010/09/10/2010-22518/marine-mammals-file-no-15014

• @Dolphinelle: Thank you very much for setting out the link of the page for that document. I've written to Sea World CA, demanding an explanation. Since a couple of months ago one of their Marine Biologists stated to me, in a letter that they never had imported any type of mammal from drive hunts (fishing). All their mammals were bred and born in the Park. So i've handed them the link, and i'm hoping they'll have the guts to reply. I already told them, the Kamogawa SeaWorld, Chiba, Japan, excuse won't work with me. Since anyone who's following up on the drives in Taiji, knows that captured dolphins are moved to all different Marine Parks all over Japan. So whether they like it or not, they're indirectly aiding the killings in Taiji. Other Federal Agencies will be informed about this. Thank you very much

• What was the writer intending to say?,,, see your sushi in our tank, and have it freshly prepared? Served to your table while its still alive? Fire the cook, and find yourself a new day job this one smells very fishy to me!! Very bad and in poor taste. Wait they might serve you tainted seafood. OMG..This just keeps sounding worse and worse! For Valentines Day I would love to take a walk in Bill Baggs State Park in Key Biscayne by the lighthouse look out over the ocean to see if I see any wild dolphins. Wait they are all in captivity in MSQ!! Shame on your Behlshar, please get informed. BTW I think all the dolphins that Ric O'Barry caught I think they are all dead. Why do you think he has become an activist, he saw the errors of his way. Time for you to see yours!

• I think they call those concrete walls ~Jails! which are for criminals that have done felonious and heinous crimes and are meant to be in prison. What has a dolphin or Orca ever done to be treated as a criminal! Oh Miami News Time, I can't believe you took money for this type of advertising. I know you are quite open minded but this one just took the cake!

• Really that is why the Feds gave them the OK to import a pilot whale caught in Taiji. Please we have all the proof and will continue to show you how you spin the stupid propaganda that dolphins were born in captivity. So how come SeaWorld just imported this one with permission of our government? Facts: http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2010/09/10/2010-22518/marine-mammals-file-no-15014 You may deceive the ignorant people but we all know better. The Movement is growing by thousands daily and one day in the not so distant future we will claim victory and all dolphins and whales will be in rehabilitation centers to be released back to the wild. :P

• Seems that there is a connection to wealthy people and animal cruelty, am I right? They'll eat anything and wear anything without a thought to the cruel, senseless killing for their own greedy consumption. Anyone who indulges in this "treat" bears the mark of shame - and my spit in your face.

• Your human practice of enslaving us for your entertainment belongs in the books of history alongside the Roman Colosseums, and other cruel venues of 'entertainment'....

• For the poor dolphins, being captive is bad enough ( and we know how thet get there...cruel dolphin drives involving capture and sale to such sea aquariums or being butchered .pods torn apart...) but to have to be the "entertainment "for those gorging themselves on Jan 14th is too sick for words. Don't forget in Taiji( The Cove) they dine on dolphins.........

• Any person with a little bit of a brain knows that you need to have a dolphin first before you can start any breeding program. Where do you think they got that first dolphin from? From someone who magically made it appear in a concrete tank? NO, they needed to have one that was caught in the wild. So who are you to question our intelligence? People with your attitude always make my blood boil. If you're anti Cove movie, please feel free to be so. But don't underestimate the intelligence of people whom are fighting to stop these horrors. Whether it's the slaughters or the captures. All the atrocities against dolphins and whales need to be stopped. It's funny that you state they also are being shipped to Russia. And in Russia, they just make out paperwork where the dolphin is coming from and will be shipped out to any other country on this globe. Your idea is good, very true. But that's the exact same thing as the IMATA group. They also tell people that their dolphin trainers do love dolphins and they will treat them with respect and all the love they can give. You explain me this than, in Taiji, dolphin trainers are sitting by the fire, drinking tea, while in the background the so much loved dolphins are getting slaughtered. And please don't come and tell me it's just a story, because there's live videos of this. People say a lot of things, the main thing is, to take hear say and reality seperated. I've done enough reading, i've talked to enough people whom actually do work with Marine mammals in open waters. Who actually know what they're talking about. And all of them state the same thing. Nobody will claim that their dolphins come from Taiji, most of them will state that they come from either Russia or Mexico. The issue for us is, DOLPHINS DONT BELONG IN CAPTIVITY ! If all the people whom are fighting this had a choice, believe me, they would love to see humans isolated in a concrete tank, just big enough that they can move back and forward, or move in very small circles. Any idea on how long it would take the authorities to stand up and close this facility. In less than a week it would be shut down. Well we want the same for our marine mammals. They are no less than a stupid human, or are they?

• In my personal opinion, they may drop Humans to the last place in the Intelligence quota. All cetaceans need to be put in FIRST place. Because with all the atrocities humans are doing to all our animals on this planet, they are proving that they're no better than the people who lived in caves and didn't even know what fire was. Hell, even they were smart enough to only take from nature what they need. And didn't kill animals when not needed. Humans are the worst kind on this planet. We don't really deserve to live on it. If we can't control our behaviour towards all the animals on this planet. In the long run, we all live on the same big globe, so we all have the same rights to live a free and safe life.

• This is in reply for the reply you gave to Bunny. You're talking about the slaughters because of the Japanese Fishing Industry. First of all, if Japan is getting low on fish in their oceans, they need to start to cut down on their own fishing behaviour. The dolphins in Taiji just use a migrating route. So they won't even stay near the town long enough to eat a lot of fish. Japan is known to be overfishing. Not to long ago they had hangars filled with blue tuna. And little after that, they started to call out that fishing on blue tuna should be stopped, cause their level was getting critical. Soon other countries won't have a chance to get blue tuna, yet they can always get it from Japan. Don't you get it, Japan only aims to high profits. The same with the dolphins. Their meat is polluted with mercury. Yet they keep selling it to their citizens. This is just greed. They don't give a s*** about what other countries think. They look at themselves as rulers of everything. Than another thing, you state that they were catching dolphins long before. True, yet if they wanna hold on to traditional and cultural excuses, read this comment that one of the people whom also are fighting to stop this quoted on a page on Facebook : " the Taiji slayers claim that this is their culture and tradition..then use traditional methods for finding and capturing the dolphins this means no motorized boats, no communication equipment , cell phones etc..don't claim culture and tradition while using modern day technology ! better yet just stop all together !!! " If they want to continue their catches, let them atleast make it an equal fight. And don't do what they're doing now. Poaching our oceans. Yes they are literary stealing from all the people on this planet. Because dolphins are not fish, they're mammals. So there shouldn't be any need to eat them. Second part, they never put one single dime into food for these cetaceans. Yet they brutally take them from their natural environment. If not for food, than for stupid people's entertainment. So basically they are earning money at everyone's expence. But hell, it's the almighty Japan, they seem to be allowed anything that's not even legal. I hope this soon will be stopped, and Japan will be proscecuted in an International Court of Law.

• I'm sorry, where is your proof that they weren't captured in Taiji? You know how easy it is to make up paperwork where it mentions they are from Russia or Mexico. And yet they still come from Taiji. In case they are not from Taiji, keep in mind, at some point they would have to get some from Taiji. Seeing they are breeding their dolphins in the Miami Sea Aquarium. So to start your breeding program, you have to get dolphins. And maybe the grandparents of these dolphins are originally from Taiji. Never state something when you can't provide proof. Especially never to people whom are fighting against all these slaughters and captures. So please check your information.

• Wouldn't it be so much nicer and more romantic to go and dine in a normal restaurant. Preferably with a nice vegetarian meal. Why on earth would people go and eat with dolphins. Isn't it clear to everyone that these gracious cetaceans belong in open waters and not in an oversized concrete tank. Instead of getting reservations, you should donate the exact amount to the organisations whom are fighting to stop the slaughters of dolphins and most of all the captures. I hope we'll soon have a global ban on all kinds of Marine Parks. When people stop buying tickets, these houses of horror will have to shut down.

• This is the mentality of these people. They believe that if they rescue an injured dolphin from the wild, that dolphin owes them LIFE! They believe the dolphin OWES them a lifetime of stupid tricks for food, so they can make money. Then they say, "Look! We rescue wildlife! We are such angels!" It's one thing to be evil. It's quite another to do it in sheep's clothing.

• Yes, they are all part of one big happy and evil family. Well that should help set the mood for Valentine's at Miami SeaPrison!

• How about this...maybe this will show you the link... SeaWorld is a member of AZA. Seaworld pays dues to AZA and receives benefits from them. AZA is a member of WAZA. AZA takes money it receives from places like SeaWorld, and pays its dues to WAZA. AZA receives benefits from WAZA, passing those down to places like SeaWorld. You following me? OK. The Taiji Whale Museum is a member of JAZA, they pat dues and receive benefits, JAZA is also a member of WAZA, they pay dues and receive benefits. Its a freaking pyramid! Although SeaWorld does not hand money over to Taiji, they are INFACT guilty by association!

• So, what you are saying is that if they are born in prison, they deserve to stay there? http://holisecleveland.wordpress.com/2011/01/20/captive-dolphins-can-be-free/

• It's really quite simple. Either you care for the dolphins' feelings or you don't. If you do not, which is quite obvious, then your arguments and opinions have no merit. Therefore, if anyone cares about the feelings of dolphins, they should not support the dolphin slave/prison trade by giving money to Miami Seaquarium.

• "The dolphins in the US were not wild-caught and have NO connection with Taiji". I beg to differ with you! Although not taken from the wild NOW, there are dolphins in the US that were taken from the wild. Also, both Seaworld and AZA, has said that they had in the past gotten dolphins and whales from drive fishery. Also, just because a dolphin is "rescued" should not make that dolphin a slave for life! You should really do some research before you make up comments! Its easy to find out if dolphins or whales where once wild. Its also easy to look at those rescued, and find out which were released and which were not. You will find way more are kept and sent to marine parks to be slaves. Education is everything! :)

• “Science and the law can both help us forecast the consequences of our actions, but neither can tell us how we ought to act in a moral sense.” – Dalai Lama

• This should help clear things up... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3gAKsyEjSs

• “Where there is a mind, there are feelings such as pain, pleasure, and joy. No sentient being wants pain: all wants happiness instead.” – Dalai Lama

• “There’s about as much educational benefit studying dolphins in captivity as there would be studying mankind by only observing prisoners held in solitary.” – Jacques Cousteau

• OH come on Behlshar get a grip of reality. The Dolphin Research Center in the keys just received a "rescue" dolphin from the Gulf. But poor thing they are going to keep it, because its a young juvenile and will bring great money and will domesticate quite easier than an older one.They will not release it back to the wild or find a pod that may take the poor thing in. Please spare me your synopsis on Taiji. I see it everyday and interact with the Guardians seeded in Taiji and other activist. For your information those that are captured in Taiji are going to a new Resort in Japan. The guardian followed the truck until it slid off the road and hit a guard rail with 3 dolphins in a snow storm. What about Misty, who captivated the world in a few days time and was moved from an above ground pool into a concrete pool with at least some socialization. What about 2 days ago the 20-25 slaughtered bottle dolphins. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A0C2RFpmiY&feature=feedu so this is a lie or I just magically made this up? PEOPLE GET INFORMED!!!

• The dolphins that the Miami SeaHell has belonged at one time in the waters off the Bahamas or in Key Biscayne and to the citizens of Miami, the State of Florida. Who gave you the right to take them? If you say that these dolphins do not come from Taiji then where did they come from? I would love to see you day in and day out in a small concrete pool being fed dead fish full of antidepressants so that you would not go crazy and held your breath just as other dolphins have died. You are great at spinning propaganda. Why don't you let Tokitae, Lolita go back to her pod that still will receive her? Because to you enslaving helpless animals is the way to go. I will boycott Miami Seahellquarium and will continue to fight for the dolphins in Taiji. I hope you can sleep at night, or may you are on antidepressants too?

• Why not dine on the cove of Taiji? You might as well spend the money sipping on your martini watching on the bloody cove while all of these beautiful dolphins getting massacred in a most disgusting and inhumane way so that they can ship off some of the chosen ones to dolphinariums and Marine parks such as Miami Seaquarium! DO you know they kill the babies too? BOYCOTT MIAMI SEAQUARIUM!!!!! BOYCOTT JAPANESE PRODUCT!!!

• I've already read those. Dr. Rose's opinions, not proof, and she has biases. SeaShepherd statements- the author's views, not proof, And the pilot whale they mention was a stranded calf 7 years ago, rescued, and cared for at an aquarium in Kamogawa, Japan, not wild caught. Kamogawa asked SeaWorld SanDiego to take it to be with others of its species. NMFS investigated this before approving the transfer permit.

• I agree the wording is in bad taste, but I think the author was intending to say, as a joke, that she hoped the animals wouldn't jump to your plate to eat your dinner.

• Also, yes, dolphins were captured years ago, in the 1960s-70s by O'Barry and others, it's time to quit bringing that up now as it was a different time and before we had the information and sensitivities about the marine mammals that were gained by the 1980s. That is over now in the US and many other countries. Blaming the past occurrences on the present people and organizations is like blaming today's people for the atrocities against the American Indians in the 18th and 19th centuries. Although I find it appalling, I was not involved and could not have done anything to prevent them. So, again, no one is the US is supporting Taiji, and pointing fingers at them is doing nothing to stop the slaughters.

• The US has a ban against importing animals from Taiji. The captured animals are sold to Asian, Russian, African, etc facilities. Efforts should be made to stop these sub-standard dolphinariums from purchasing the captured dolphins. I'm not saying it's all right to keep Lolita in a small tank by herself, just that it's wrong to say that the dolphins' blood is on anyone's hands other than the actual murderers and those who purchase the spared dolphins.

• I, in no way, can see why dolphins would be slaughtered for the captive industry. They are killed to reduce competition for fish with the Japanese fishing industry. Otherwise, they would just capture a few dolphins and sell them, and let the rest go. The slaughter has been going on for years, even before the dolphins were captured for dolphinariums. You also can't say that others would think it's OK to capture wild dolphins just because other places in other countries have captive-bred dolphins. That's an immature concept-like saying it's all right to steal something from a store just because other people have it.

• Bunny-1: I didn't say the dolphins are for conservation, i meant the income from the aquariums is used for conservation, rescue and rehab, and education. Some of the dolphins are used in research, though, which helps to provide information for caring for and rehabilitating those animals that are in need of rescue and rehab. Although some research can be done in the ocean, it's not the best way for continuous and thorough study of some aspects of marine mammal biology, and not recommended to be disturbing the wild pods. In addition, the dolphins in the aquariums DO provide education to children and people who would not otherwise have the opportunity to go out and study in the ocean. People who propose doing this must be a select group who have opportunity, money, maybe no children, and other responsibilities. It also suggests a disregard for the environmental impact on the ocean and wild populations to send 1000's to millions of people out on tour boats to "study" whales and dolphins.

• this is ridiculous.....the day of love ...spent with captive dolphin whos been taking agains their will .and had their family killed!!!!!!??????? eating sushi........ironik...cruel.....stupid

• "we're hoping the attractions won't end up on your plate" that's just brilliant, who thought up that one? Is this really the image Miami Seaquarium wants to portray. Watch "The Cove" visit www.savejapandolphins.org. Educate yourselves.

• go ahead and go dine with dolphins but you will have blood on your hands!!! You will be supporting the capture and the slaughter of these beautiful creatures, They are captured from the wild and taken to aquariums all over the world so they can perform and do tricks for people who are sad enough to pay to watch, its cruel and shouldnt be allowed to happen!!! so buy some choccys instead!!!

• Your comment in the advertising above "we're hoping the attractions won't end up on your plate." is quite disgusting especially as in some parts of the world (Japan for example) dolphins DO end up on a plate!! Scientists have now said that dolphins should be classified as "non human intelligent beings" because they are so bright - holding them in captivity solely for human entertainment is WRONG!! Stop supporting the capture and slaughter of these beautiful sentient creatures by running your sequarium. Let them be free!!

• yeah. mmm raw dolphin flesh. full of DDT and mercury. eat up miami. then die of poisoning just like the japanese children are from eating it! 50% higher deathrate in taiji.... guess why. that was super inappropriate of the author. shame on her/him/ it.

• Belshar. saying it is educational and promotes conservation, all the while putting these amazing creatures into confinement, is a contradiction. they should be in the wild. end of story. stop buying into the dolphin trade. these are animals with highly developed brains, and you cannot learn anything from any animal behind bars. you learn from them by observing them in the wild. this is a cruel practice.

• patronizing any dolphin or whale show makes it seem ok to hold them captive, thus fueling the slaughter and capturing wild dolphins around the world. whether or not they were wild, or bred in a program, it still doesnt make it permissible to keep them in small tanks, with chemically filled water, having people touching them all day, messing up their echolocation, and frequently causing them to go insane and/or suicidal. it is irresponsible to exploit creatures that cannot do anything to stop their exploitation. they should be in natural environments, in the wild. not used for entertainment or 'education'. it cannot be educational if it's wrong. every captive dolphin or whale has a connection with Taiji. and you seem to condone having blood on your, and the maimi seaquarium's and their customers' hands. it's truly sad and i guarantee you that deep down you know it is wrong too. don't let money and greed and entertainment value blot-out your moral compass. the practice is evil. let toki go to an ocean sanctuary. stop buying dolphins and let your live out their lives in natural places. it is all there for them. everything can be taken care of by organizations. at the end of the day, when youre on your deathbed, you don't think about what you've had in material forms, you dont think about money, you think about how you've left your mark on the world. so leave a positive one. not a blemish.

• You have the incorrect information. Captivity kills these creatures. Do your research. Heres a good place to start. It is the most inhumane thing you can do to these intelligent creatures..... http://www.marineconnection.org/docs/The%20Case%20against%20Marine%20Mammals%20in%20Captivity%20%20(HSUS).pdf Sea World got its start by contributing to Taiji, Japans torture and slaughter. Now they have captive born mammals, but where do you think they got them from to begin with? Once again, Do your research. Any one who buys a ticket into this cruel and inhumane practice is supporting this slaughter of dolphins including infants and also supporting cruel and unusual captivity where they are starved to be taught tricks, and who die way to soon regardless of all of the antibodics and drugs being pumped into them on a daily basis. For education you say? You cant be educated by a stressed mammal that was taken out of his home and put in a concrete jail cell. Its people like you who say things with out doing any research. Propaganda you say? Nope, All proven facts....DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!! http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/editorial-100921-1.html http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/article6973994.ece http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10700404

• You have incorrect information. While Taiji is horrendous, it has no connection to aquariums in the US, and the dolphins in the US were not wild-caught nor "torn away from their family" as they were born where they are. The dolphins that aren't slaughtered and are sold are sold to Asian and Russian facilities. It doesn't make sense, does it, that they would slaughter the dolphins there if they could make the money from the sale of dolphins. They are being slaughtered for other reasons. So, if you are getting your info from "THE COVE," it is propaganda, and boycotting any US organization will not affect the dolphin slaughters, but may affect the conservation work and education they provide. Please use your brain before believing the propaganda of so-called animal activists.

• The dolphins in the US were not wild-caught and have NO connection with Taiji.

• Also, keep in mind that ''swim with dolphin programs'' can be very dangerous to both dolphins and people. A human is no match for a stressed out, pissed off, 7 ft, 450 lb dolphin that might just decide that it's time for a little "payback"! However, dolphins are at greater risk because they are susceptible to human, airborne viruses and commonly suffer from lung infections. An orca named Mamuk (an old friend of mine) died at Sea-Arama Marine World in 1974 from a chronic lung infection. Some believe, including myself, that it was caused by a combination of poor water filtration in his tank, which forced him to swim in his own waste and also daily, physical contact with humans and being forced to breathe their germs. Sea-Arama eventually became so dilapidated with leaky, rusty, moldy tanks and crumbling concrete that it closed it's gates and was bulldozed to the ground. Miami Seaquarium has been falling apart for decades and it's long overdue to be closed down. The only way that is going to happen is for people to stop funding such a dismal and pitiful excuse for this so called ''educational, amusement facility''.

• You actually paid someone to write "No word on where the buffet is coming from, but we're hoping the attractions won't end up on your plate."? Seriously time for you all to hire a new PR firm...this blurb is in very, very, very bad taste...but not surprising...considering that Miami Sea Prison profits daily off of the misery of marine mammals who should be swimming freely in the ocean.

• Nothing says romance better than captivity and depression in marine mammals. if someone took me here on valentines day i would kick them in the nuts. then i would free their orca Toki (lolita) who has been alone for 30 years and in prison for 40... then i would grap whatever roses there were on the table and take them home. i love roses.

• If you knew how these awesome animals were captured, culled; some to be sold into captivity, and the remainder of the pod to be viciously slaughtered at The Cove in Taiji, Japan, you would never, ever spend your dollars to perpetuate this practice. I have a great idea!! Rather than buy into the dolphin trade, purchase your Sweetie some tickets for Valentine's day...on a boat to take you out to sea to find some dolphins to just look at...your guide should be able to find them.

• Please spend your Money on Valentines Day somewhere other then the Miami Seaquarium, dolphins do not like to dine with people, especially if you are serving raw fish. Sushi is very un-healthy. Please do your research on Captive Dolphins, Sushi, and the true horrors of the Miami Seaquarium, it is Not a Happy place with Happy animals.

• "No word on where the buffet is coming from, but we're hoping the attractions won't end up on your plate" Why don't you cut out the middle man give you money straight to the fisherman of Taiji where the attraction literally is on your plate

• A great way to show your love for someone by supporting the inhumane treatment of the inmates at the Miami Sea Prison. Take a picnic, go the beach and you may just see some of the dolphins in the wild also enjoying valentines day free

• Outstanding reply!! Dolphins including the orca Lolita (Tokitae) who has spent 40 long, lonely years in near solitary confinement at MSQ are not giant wind-up toys, for stupid human enjoyment. Humans don't even possess the technology to fully measure the intelligence of cetaceans. For all we know, they may far exceed our own intellect...but we'll never admit it, even if it's true because we as a species, think we know EVERYTHING, don't we?? Thank you for the youtube link and your powerful reply!

• Enjoy a cruelty free Valentine´s day spending your money somewhere else, please do not support Cetaceans in captivity, enjoy a romentic getaway at a beach wherever you can admire Dolphins in the wild not in a prison.

• Just remember on your romantic outing, that those dolphins watched the ones they love get tortured and slaughtered to bring you your entertainment for the night. What you are supporting is wrong on so many levels. They got torn away from their family, taken away from their home, they have been starved so that they can be trained to jump through hoops all for your pleasure. These dolphins live under stress and are given doses of antibiotics on a daily basis to keep them alive. These animals have the intelligence near or equal to humans and they have stronger bonds with their family members than we do. Think of the trauma and the horror you are supporting everytime you visit a marine captivity show. Please watch this video before you decide. THis is still going on today, in fact 40 bottlenosed dolphins including infants were tortured and slaughtered in Taiji, Japan just a couple of days ago. This is the industry you are supporting every time you pay money to see dolphins perform or to the swim with dolphin shows. Its horrible and cruel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORy550ZLA54&feature=autofb

• Enjoy your special day, just know that you support the drive hunts in Taiji by patronizing such a park. Dolphins swim an unmeasurable amount of miles daily in the wild, no cetacean should be held captive. Boycott parks like these at all costs.

• I am appalled that you are condoning the captivity and nearly solitary confinement of a sentient, intelligent being.(A dolphin) - dolphins are very complex animals that have their own language in the wild. Boycott the Miami Seaquarium at all costs.

• I never knew dolphins like to dine with people!!! I am disgusted that you are continuing to exploit these amazing highly intelligent creatures who should be dining with their own families in the OCEAN and not TANKS. Shame on you for promoting this!!!! I am sharing this info far and wide asking for a boycott of your jail cell. Cheers from Canada!!!

• Boycott the Miami SeaQuarium is right. It's a prison! Cative whales and dolphins do not belong in tanks.

• Please spend your money somewhere else other than the Miami Seaquarium. It will only support that cruel practice of keeping marine mammals in captivity, forced to perform for entertainment.

• By all means, enjoy your special day and your decadent treats. After all, nothing quite says "I love you", like supporting the brutal capture, false imprisonment and abuse of whales and dolphins, for your guilty pleasures! Every dollar that you spend will ensure that each and every dolphin will continue to serve out a life sentence while you indulge yourselves with chocolate and vodka. Isn't it romantic? ''BOYCOTT MIAMI SEAQUARIUM''!!

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