1998 International Year of the Ocean
Activities & Events - Conferences
Conference Information

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Dolphin Symposium
Tokyo, Japan, 17 July 1998

Venue: Sogetsu Hall (capacity 530 people),  7-2-21 Akasaka, Minato Ward, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3408-1126, Fax: 03-3405-4947

Time: Doors open 17:30
Symposium commences: 18:00
Organizers: Omega Watch Corporation
Speakers (tentative): Jack T. Moyer (Marine biologist, resident on Miyakejima Island, U.S. citizen) Katheleen Dudzinski(Marine biologist, U.S.A.) Mikako Kotani (Sportscaster) Yuka Murayama (writer)
Coordinator (tentative): Kayo Aoyama (TV Announcer)
MC : Kayo Aoyama (TV Announcer)

Aims

Dolphins are thought to be very intelligent animals, and this intelligence, combined with their cute appearance awaken a feeling of affinity for these animals in humans. In recent years, dolphins have become a focus of interest in animal intervention therapy used in the treatment of senility and for limb rehabilitation programs. Interaction with dolphins is said to have the same effect as interacting with dogs and cats that are often found in our immediate environment. It is interesting that dolphins, who live in such a different environment to humans, can have the same effect, despite the infrequency of opportunities to interact. This suggests that there must be something that dolphins and humans share in common.

The oceans, where life originated, provide the ideal environment for the nurture of many different species. However, the seas have become polluted due to the development of human civilization, and marine organisms that live in clear waters are finding that their habitats are disappearing especially since marine creatures are not so efficient as land creatures in eliminating impurities from their bodies. Dolphins are really friendly to mankind, and we should be considering what can and should be done to protect the natural environment of dolphins so that they can live close to the habitat of man.

In recent years, dolphin and whale watching has grown in popularity, as these activities represent opportunities to get close to these animals in their free and natural environment. These increased opportunities to come in contact with dolphins will without doubt lead to an increased interest in the sea, and a greater concern to protect both the natural marine environment which is the basis of all life, and the lives of our fellow creatures. The recent boom in marine leisure sports has meant that many more people are enjoying the sea. We believe however, that the pleasures of marine activities are enhanced by maintaining an environment where sea creatures can live in safety and the attractions of the oceans are increased by the presence of a great variety of sea creatures.

Dolphins have a strange power to open our hearts and generate peaceful feelings. The Dolphin Symposium seeks to verify the attraction and mysteries of these dolphins, explore ways to protect the global environment and the oceans in which the dolphins live and heighten the appeal of the seas.

1998 is the International Year of the Ocean, and the International Oceans Expo is being held at Lisbon in Portugal. Many events are planned both in Japan and overseas in conjunction with the International Year of the Ocean. We will endeavor to liaise with other related events and organize this symposium in a manner appropriate to the Year of the Ocean.

Draft Program

  • Part 1:

18:30 to 18:30 Mikako Kotani 'My Dolphin Friends' (talk and visuals)
18:30 to 19:00 Yuka Murayama 'Dolphins in the Spring'
  • Part 2

19:00 to 19:15 Video on the dolphin research of Ms. Dudzinski and Mr. Moyer on  and around Miyakejima and Mikurajima Islands.
19:15 to 20:15 Lecture by Ms. Dudzinski and Mr. Moyer on the ecology of dolphins  and proper procedures for dolphin watching.

(Simultaneous interpretation provided from interpreting booths.)

Contact

Mayumi Hori
Creative Convention Center, Inc.
E-mail: ccc-inc@po.iijnet.or.jp
Tel+81-3-5574-8677
Fax+81-3-5574-8697