Right now a pod of 11-12 orcas are trapped in the ice in Inukjuaq, near Quebec, Canada, in Hudson Bay.  They are fighting for their lives.  With a sudden drop in temperatures, the ice closed in around the family of whales, and right now they only have about a 30 foot hole to breathe from.  The situation is critical.  Please share about this, donate if possible and pray for these beautiful, terrified whales!  An icebreaker ship is nowhere near there, so it is a dire situation.  Here is a link to the latest story on the whales:
Trapped Orca In Inukjuaq

To the orcas, my heart and soul and prayers are with you. <3

Australia condemns Japan for whale hunt - Asia-Pacific - Al Jazeera English

Australia condemns Japan for whale hunt - Asia-Pacific - Al Jazeera English

I AM SO HAPPY TO READ THIS!
 GO AUSTRALIA!  Sea Shepherd's methodologies might sometimes elicit an unpleasant response within for various reasons, but their message is 100% valid.  WHALING NEEDS TO STOP! PERIOD!  Thank you to SSCS for bringing attention to this cause and for directly intervening with the Japanese whaling fleet.  IT'S RIDICULOUS!  I did my research. I've been to the Japanese site, www.icrwhale.org (Japan's faux-scientific "Institute for Cetacean Research", the figurehead which attempts (and fails miserably) to justify whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary (SOWS).  The IWC Moratorium exists for a reason and this pathetic attempt to justify the murder of our oceanic counterparts is sick and wrong.
The "scientific research" argument is a farce.  With the exception of a vast minority of proposed reasons, almost all of the reasons Japan gives for needing to "harvest" whales in the SOWS could be accomplished without killing the animals!  It is such bullshit, just like the circus act of the IWC in general.  *facepalm*   This shit is so tired.  I hate this and there is NO JUSTIFICATION FOR THE KILLING OF GREAT WHALES -- OR ANY CETACEAN FOR THAT MATTER!

Three Whales Singing In Harmony -- BEAUTIFUL!

I wept with deep feeling in response to the power and beauty of the incredible whalesong made by three whales!  The Oceania Project and iWhales.org rock, by the way. ;)

Georgia Aquarium; SeaWorld Apply For NOAA Permit To Import 18 Wild-Caught Beluga Whales From Russia: First U.S. Import of Cetaceans Since 1993? :(

If you're a cetacean advocate, you are likely aware of this NOAA permit application: 

"Summary:
Notice is hereby given that the Georgia Aquarium Inc., 225 Baker Street, Atlanta, GA 30313, has applied in due form for a permit to import eighteen (18) beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) for public display purposes."

The Marine Mammal Protection Act makes exceptions for aquariums in the acquisition of  "stock."  Boasting of allegedly-wonderful captive breeding programs (don't even get me started), most of the large aquaria have gloated that wild-capture and import of cetaceans ceased ~19 years ago is no longer necessary.  Until now.  Beluga whales are considered a rare species and very little sightings have been observed because they are not big 'breachers'.  They may spy-hop from time to time, but they definitely aren't jumping afficionados.  They are primarily an arctic species.  Since 2006, several Delphinapterus leucas communities, drawn to the Sea Of Okhotsk, Russia, during the salmon spawn season, have been shattered by a series of captures. Apparently, the marine center there began these captures under the purported guise of seeing how feasible it was to capture them.  Fair enough; several were fitted with transponders and some of the belugas' territory has now been mapped.  I don't know though. Just like Georgia Aquarium's justification/PR video regarding their import permit request (see below), we learn that it is marine park money motivating the projects.  I strongly suspect that the monetary clout of the world's seaquaria were behind this whole thing in some fashion. When I'm less emotional, I will do some more research and see if I can find out.

This 2-part, propaganda-style 'documentary' depicts the beluga captures in Russia -- in a sanitized, romanticized presentation.  Well, that's the vibe that myself and a good number of other cetacean rights activists sensed, anyway. What do you think?  Decide for yourself:

To me, honestly, this reminds me of Nazi propaganda films shown to German civilians depicting how good life was for those sent to the concentration [ahem! "work" ] / death camps, depicting smiling, happy families at a "cafe" on the premises when in reality there was no such thing...those sent to the camps were sent to immeasurable trauma, horror and often sadistically protracted deaths.  Propaganda at it's finest?  Attempting to garner public approval by making things look all beautified?  I want to vomit!

What does the permit's principle applicant, Georgia Aquarium, have to say?  Oh, yes...I forgot to mention that part.  The EIGHTEEN belugas aren't all destined to remain in Georgia.  Oh, no...they will be sent to a total of 5 aquaria, 3 of which are each of the U.S. SeaWorld parks (big surprise. *sigh* ).
The following is an excerpt from NOAA's permit record (Full PDF available on the Federal Action page related to this permit):

"SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The subject permit is requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216). Georgia Aquarium requests authorization to import 18 wild caught beluga whales from the Utrish Marine Mammal Research Station in Russia to the United States for the purpose of
public display. All 18 beluga whales were collected in Sakhalin Bay of the Sea of Okhotsk in 2006, 2010, and 2011.  Approximately six (6) animals would be transported to the Georgia Aquarium facility in Atlanta, GA, and the remaining animals would be transported to four other U.S. partner facilities; Sea World of Florida, Sea World of Texas, Sea World of California, and Shedd Aquarium pursuant to breeding loans.
Georgia Aquarium and its U.S. partners are: (1) Open to the public on regularly scheduled basis with access that is not limited or restricted other than by charging for an admission fee; (2) offer conservation and educational programs based on professionally accepted standards of the Alliance of MarineMammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums; and (3) hold Exhibitor’s Licenses by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131–59). In addition to determining whether the applicant meets the three public display criteria, NMFS must determine whether the applicant has demonstrated that the proposed activity is humane and does not represent any unnecessary risks to the health and welfare of marine mammals; that the proposed activity by itself, or in combination with other activities, will not likely have a significant adverse impact on the species or stock; and that the applicant’s expertise, facilities and resources are adequate to accomplish successfully the objectives and activities stated in the application."

As for the comments on the actual NOAA notice, I am pleased to report that so far the comments are unanimous:  WE DO NOT WANT THIS! :(  And yes, I added my own.
Now the question is, will the powers-that-be (and the money exchange and projected profits for the aquaria in question) listen to us?

Here's Georgia Aquarium's Justification/PR Video:

I am so appalled. The claims in this video... DISGUSTING AND MANIPULATIVE! :(

Where to begin:
Appealing at the hearts regarding their oh-so-heroic rescue of their first belugas. Sweet story, but not justification for the acquisition of more animals.
Need animals in captivity in order to learn more about them in the wild. IMPOSSIBLE!  The majority of the world's leading cetacean researchers (non-corporate-affiliated) say that very little can be learned about these beings in captivity which correlates to their behavior in the wild.  An artificial environment, complete with supplemental medications in an attempt to minimize the horrific trauma these animals endure in captivity; their behavior is NOT what it is in the wild; they are in chemically-treated waters...ETC. ETC. ETC.
Discuss how endangered and rare the animals are, but then justify taking them from a 'robust population' -- make up your mind!
Oh and my favorite?  94% of Americans agree with your program?  Oh really?  I'd like to see the distribution and actual data you crunched to come up with that figure.  LOOK AT THE NOAA COMMENTS!  I would say they are DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED to the figures you presented.  Comment after comment are appeals NOT to import these animals from Okhutsk,  Nice try.
 -- ok I realize anyone arriving at this blog is likely part of the choir I'm preaching to... so I will stop.  I just find this so fucking disgusting.

I am just so messed up about this.  I feel physically ill and devastated for the plight of these magnificent beings who belong wild and free.  The whole "stock" term and "breeding loans" and all the talk like these animals are objects or property or -- I just...I have no words.
I pray with every fiber of my being that this does not happen...but then, the question remains:  What will the Okhotsk facility do?  Will they stop these captures?  I wish the Cetacean Bill Of Rights proposed by Dr. White ("In Defense Of Dolphins" author and head scientist for the Wild Dolphin Project) will one day be ratified and all of these prisons will be eradicated forever!

I am a very, very distressed delphigirl. :(

And Now For Something Completely Different: In Defense Of Dolphins

When I established this blog, two issues seemed equally urgent: to make this place a celebration of the callings of my mind, body and spirit with respect to my rare but not singular sexuality, but also -- and more importantly -- to advocate and humbly attempt to perhaps educate others regarding the beautiful, brilliant dolphins and cetaceans in general.  If I am to express the full breadth and depth of my heart and soul here, it is imperative that I share many of the reasons I feel such a strong connection with and passion for the rights of these exquisite and exceptional creatures.  To convey my learnings and beliefs in this arena, I will be sharing and reflecting on the works and words of respected academics, researchers and wise souls who have dedicated their lives to understanding and advocating for cetaceans.  I hope you will stay with me and learn something and share this knowledge with others.  Dolphins and whales are our marine counterparts -- and while it may threaten or otherwise repel many people, I personally believe that they are our superiors.  May we all come to know, love and respect them as the autonomous, individual, self-aware and complex nonhuman persons they so clearly are, and make theirs a better, freer and safer world.  In doing so, we celebrate not only the richness and diversity of other intelligent beings, but we also bless and advance ourselves in the process.

I have also added an RSS News Feed to this blog for dolphin, whale and cetacean news.