Ric O'Barry's Dolphin Project Inc.

Dolphin Project is committed to ending the use of dolphins for captive entertainment, as well as the capture and slaughter of wild dolphin populations. The mission of the Dolphin Project is to end dolphin exploitation and slaughter, as dolphins are routinely captured, harassed, slaughtered and sold into captivity around the world – all in the name of profit. Dolphin Project works not only to halt these slaughters but also to rehabilitate captive dolphins, investigate and advocate for economic alternatives to dolphin exploitation and to permanently end dolphin captivity.

Our strategies involve several approaches: public outreach and awareness is a significant aspect of our work, based upon the belief that the captive entertainment industry is fueled by consumer demand and that most consumers would not support the industry if the realities about marine mammal captivity were made clear. Dolphin Project makes use of social media, unique content, and other creative approaches to raise awareness as to the issues and provide avenues for local outreach.

In addition, we work in the field in dolphin hunting communities to attempt to engage those involved in capture and slaughter practices, offering environmentally sustainable economic alternatives such as responsible eco-tourism, marine conservation education, and the exploration of new industries to protect marine species without undermining the hunters' economic success.

We also support efforts to draft new legislation phasing out or banning captive marine mammal entertainment.

We work with many local partners and organizations to empower them to combat the captive display industry, thereby increasing our capacity and reach. Our dedicated volunteers perform important tasks such as organizing demonstrations, staffing our Cove Monitor team in Japan, and presenting information at schools and other public events to raise awareness.

Our small but dedicated team works with activists, filmmakers, writers, and educators to seek out effective means of producing compelling content as well as seek out creative on the ground solutions.

Our accomplishments include increasing international pressure on the dolphin drive hunts of Taiji through our livestream and reporting, which has led to significant international response condemning the acquisition of wild dolphins through such a process.

In the Solomon Islands we have seen a drastic decline in the number of dolphin hunts taking place each year.

In Indonesia we continue to work with the ministries to regulate the wild capture of dolphins and are working to increase the enforcement of the laws which requires release for those animals. Our public awareness campaigns have led to the ban on the traveling dolphin circuses in parts of the country. Working in partnership with the Indonesian Government and local NGO partners, we have created and operate the world's first and only permanent dolphin rehabilitation, release and retirement facility for formerly performing dolphins.

In the captivity arena, we have been pleased to observe many positive changes, such as resolutions and legislation passed on the local and national levels to phase out or end the captivity of marine mammals for entertainment and the increased public opposition to newly proposed facilities around the country.