Japan aquariums say they'll stop getting Taiji-hunt dolphins to remain member of global group

FILE - In this photo Aug. 15, 2010 file photo, Shiro, a Risso's dolphin, jumps in front of holidaymakers in a small ocean cove in Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture (state), western Japan. Japan's aquariums promised Wednesday, May 20, 2015 to stop acquiring dolphins captured in a bloody hunt in Taiji that was depicted in the Oscar-winning documentary "The Cove" and has caused global outrage. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, File) (The Associated Press)

Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums Chairman Kazutoshi Arai, left, speaks during a press conference in Tokyo Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Arai promised Wednesday to stop acquiring dolphins captured in a bloody hunt that was depicted in the Oscar-winning documentary "The Cove" and has caused global outrage. The move follows a decision last month by the Swiss-based umbrella group World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, or WAZA, to suspend the Japanese organization's membership. (Meika Fujio/Kyodo News via AP) JAPAN OUT, CREDIT MANDATORY (The Associated Press)

TOKYO – Japan's aquariums say they'll stop acquiring dolphins captured in a bloody hunt that was depicted in the Oscar-winning film "The Cove" and has caused global outrage.

The announcement Wednesday by the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums follows a decision last month by the Swiss-based umbrella group World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, or WAZA, to suspend the Japanese organization's membership.

WAZA characterized the Taiji hunt as "cruel," and decided that none of its members should acquire dolphins in such a way.

In that hunt, dolphins are scared with banging, herded into a cove and speared by fishermen for their meat. The best-looking ones are sold to aquariums.

The Japanese group is sending a letter to WAZA, expressing its wish to remain a member of the organization.