One Voice at the heart of Superpod 6

Superpod

In 2011, a small group of enthusiasts and cetacean experts came together to reflect and coordinate their actions for the defence of marine mammals. Superpod (the name given to the meeting of several pods of cetaceans) is the cradle of the Blackfish effect. This is where the idea of the documentary film came from, released in 2013, retracing tragically the birth and life of the famous orca Tilikum. This is where this big movement started that finally changed things, at the origins of the abandonment of the Seaworld breeding program of orcas. Since then, the event has brought together scientists, experts, former trainers, journalists and NGO leaders from around the world, working towards an end to the exploitation and hunting of cetaceans.

One Voice at Superpod 6

Thursday July 19^thMuriel Arnal made a presentation during the 6^thedition of Superpod, the fight of One Voice for dolphins and captive orcas in France: Femke, the broken hearted mother of dolphins that we filmed just floating motionless in her pool last May. But also, the orcas Wikie, Inouk, Keijo and Shouka that we still follow closely. With great emotion, Muriel recounted the tragic fate of Orca Valentin at Marineland and that of the little dolphin Aïcko to an audience of internationally renowned experts, such as: Naomi Rose, Ingrid Visser, Lori Marino, Ken Balcomb. All were touched by the story of these broken lives, which motivates our fight for a new dolphinarium decree to be passed and finally these captive cetaceans can be released.

Together for cetaceans

Other speakers spoke of the fate of Keiko, Morgan and Lolita; one of the goals of Superpod 6 is to share information and to work together. The dramatic situation of the local resident orcas, Lolita's family, was also at the heart of the debates. Their population has been decimated by their hunting to supply the dolphinariums in America and Europe, and today they are dying from hunger because of human activities. The only population of orcas to die in the world, a sanctuary that would feed them is now reflecting. Another big problem is dozens of dolphinariums under construction in Russia and China. How many dolphins, belugas, sea lions and other marine mammals are going to be torn from their families or perish because of these hunts needed to fill these newly built pools? More than ever, we must stand together to face this industry, wherever it develops. Together we are stronger.

In France, One Voice continues its fight for the closure of dolphinariums and the placement of captive cetaceans into marine sanctuaries. On July 26^th, we will be meeting at the Ministry of Ecology, as French representatives of the Dolphinarium Free Europe coalition, alongside our partners Sea Shepherd of France, and Cetacean Networks. Please sign and share the petition for the adoption of a new decree and the closing of dolphinariums!