May 7 is Empty the Tanks!

Three years ago, after visiting Taiji, Japan and witnessing the atrocities committed there, Rachel Carbary began Empty the Tanks – a yearly public awareness and protest event that gives a voice to all captive dolphins and other whales.

Rachel Carbary, Empty the Tanks
Photo credit: Emptythetanks.org

DP: When is this year’s event?

RC: This year’s Empty the Tanks event is on May 7, 2016, worldwide.

DP: What made you focus on captivity upon your return from Taiji?

RC: After seeing the direct link between the dolphin slaughters and the captivity industry, I felt like I needed to do more. There are dolphins and whales suffering in captivity across the world and I wanted to be a voice for them.

DP: What is the main message of Empty the Tanks?

RC: This is a global event where activists can stand together and speak out against captivity. Our mission is to reach the general public in a positive and productive way. Marine entertainment parks have no place in our world, as they are nothing more than animal slavery institutions. Dolphins and other whales are incredibly social, intelligent beings that are being exploited to make money, and this needs to be brought to people’s attention.

Empty the Tanks 2016

DP: Are you advocating the release of all captive cetaceans?

RC: No, because not all captive cetaceans are good candidates for release. The ones that aren’t however, should be retired into sea sanctuaries. One thing is for certain: no dolphin or whale should be held imprisoned in concrete tanks.

DP: What is the scope of this year’s event?

RC: This year we have 60 locations spanning across 22 countries participating in the 4th annual Empty the Tanks.

DP: How can people get involved?

RC: Please visit our Events page on our website, Empty the Tanks to join an event or create one. Please join us and help get the message out. Together we can make a stand and empty the tanks worldwide.

May all beings be wild and free ~ Rachel