Japan holding two whale sharks in captivity

[diverchic]

From petition site:

On July 25 and August 10 two whale sharks were caught by Japanese fishermen off the coast of Tateyama-Chiba prefecture, Japan. The two whale sharks are currently held in a 50x50 meter space, 7meters tall, that is cordoned off by a net.
While waiting for an aquarium to house the whale sharks, facilitators are taking the opportunity to profit by letting 40 divers inside the enclosure daily, as well as boat tours, creating a lot of stress to the whale sharks. In addition, the tiny enclosure forces the sharks to make a lot of sharp turns, causing it to burn off its energy very fast.
The man-made environment can also not cater to a whale shark's special feeding requirements. In short, its inability to adapt to this captivity will drastically reduce the sharks lifespan.


The petition is here:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/Fre...arks-in-Japan/

[Brandon8521]

It says the page was removed.

[LilGreenPuffer]

...Not cool.

[xrayjeeper83]

site doesnt work


but thats crazy, I cant even begin to picture a tank big enough to hold 1 whale shark much less the size of a tank needed to house 2 of em

[mandycat]

The petition was removed!!!!!

[Hilly]

site doesnt work


but thats crazy, I cant even begin to picture a tank big enough to hold 1 whale shark much less the size of a tank needed to house 2 of em

You need to go on a road trip to the Georgia Aquarium then, it will blow your mind. Or you can just view the webcam.

[J-P]

I got to visit the aquarium Okinawa .. very cool stuff. They had 2 whale sharks there also. I don't think I would have signed even if the site wan't removed

[xrayjeeper83]

I have been wanting to make that road trip for a long time

[maryhm]

I swam with whale sharks off the coast of Mexico last summer. Absolutely awe inspiring. Would do it again in a heartbeat.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22877286@N ... 789498486/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22877286@N ... 789498486/

[J-P]

very cool pics!! I am sure it was an amazing experience!!!

[Mek0ng]

wooohoo japan ::highfive:: keep up the stereotype of Japanese ethics




(now where did I put my whale sandwich?)


nice pics maryhm

[diverchic]

Sorry, here is the informaoni and a link again... this one should work.

On July 25 and August 10 two whale sharks were caught by Japanese fishermen off the coast of Tateyama-Chiba prefecture, Japan. The two whale sharks are currently held in a 50x50 meter space, 7meters tall, that is cordoned off by a net. While waiting for an aquarium to house the whale sharks, facilitators are taking the opportunity to profit by letting 40 divers inside the enclosure daily, as well as boat tours, creating a lot of stress to the whale sharks. In addition, the tiny enclosure forces the sharks to make a lot of sharp turns, causing it to burn off its energy very fast. The man-made environment can also not cater to a whale shark's special feeding requirements. In short, its inability to adapt to this captivity will drastically reduce the sharks lifespan. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/Free-t ... -in-Japan/

If they were in a suitably large space (which I can't imagine how large that would be) instead of a 50x50x7 meter space and didn't have divers dropping in on them every day and boat tours maybe it'd be okay... but not with all the extra stress.

[diverchic]

fab pics maryhm... diving with whale sharks is on my 'bucket list' but only in the wild.