Tutukaka's Ingrid Visser is part of a growing international pool of marine environmentalists voicing outrage over the annual massacre of thousands of dolphins and porpoises in Japan.
The group Dr Visser founded, Orca Research Trust and Whale Rescue, is a major player in the World Cetacean Alliance which is calling for a mass, world public protest against the slaughter that is about to start in Japan.
From September to March, a dolphin hunt made famous in the film The Cove will see thousands of the marine mammals hunted or trapped by nets and then slaughtered, either by harpooning or by having a metal stake driven into their heads.
But before large pods are herded, trapped and killed in a commercial fishery operation at the coastal village of Taiji, the hunters choose prime young animals to sell for up to $150,000 - 250 times the value of those killed for their meat - to aquatic parks around the world.
There will be protests and vigils worldwide over the next few days, including at Japanese embassies and consulates.