Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams has called for an end to live dolphin shows.
The Bristol-born actress is a global ambassador for dolphin trainer Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project campaign, and this week travelled to the small Japanese fishing town of Taiji, which stages regular dolphin hunts – the common outcome of which sees dolphins either being captured and sold to aquariums and shows, or being killed outright for their meat.
As reported in The Hollywood Reporter, Williams spoke from Japan on Skype to reporters yesterday (December 2) to voice her opposition to dolphins being held in captivity. “These animals travel the ocean. That’s what they explore daily. No tank will be big enough. No tank will ever be deep enough, ever be exciting enough.
“It was something that just struck a chord in my heart,” she continued about her advocacy for the Dolphin Project. “And I’m a firm believer that, if there is something that you really want to stand up and fight for, then you should. And with everyone doing their own little bit for what they believe in, hopefully together we can make the world a better place.”
Speaking about the Taji hunts, Williams explained that her involvement in the Dolphin Project wasn’t intended as an “attack” on the town’s hunts, or indeed Japan’s current policy on marine hunting.
“It’s not an attack on Japan at all, or on Taiji, or the people of Taiji,” she said. “I want to say, honestly, hand on heart, that this is not an attack on anyone in specific.”
Williams also hopes that her prominent social media presence can help her cause, which has also been joined by Queen‘s Brian May and Sting in recent times.
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Meanwhile, in recent Game of Thrones news, fellow castmember Sophie Williams spoke about the forthcoming new season of the HBO show – read about what clues she gave away about season seven here.