Animal activists gathered outside the Japanese Embassy yesterday as part of a worldwide protest against that country's dolphin and whale harvesting.

From October to March each year, Japanese fishermen kill more than 20,000 small whales and dolphins.

Many of these animals are slaughtered in a small town called Taiji, Japan, according to protesters.

Holding signs stating "Vancouver Aquarium accomplice to Japanese massacre!" protesters claim two of the aquarium's dolphins came from Taiji.

"By purchasing these dolphins, the Vancouver Aquarium is supporting these atrocities," said Erika Ceballos, protest organizer.

However, the Aquarium denied the claims, noting the two dolphins came from the Enoshima Aquarium in Japan, where they received medical attention after becoming "accidentally entangled in fishing nets."

"We have never, and will never, get animals from drive fisheries," said Clint Wright, aquarium senior vice-president of operations and planning.

"They do have drive fisheries in Japan, which is very brutal and not pleasant to the animals."

According to protesters, this industry profits most from selling dolphins to aquariums, swim-with-dolphins programs and dolphin shows where these mammals can sell for upwards of $45,000.

For more information on Japan Dolphin Day, visit www.savejapandolphins.org.