The town of Taiji, Japan, which has been the subject of controversy over their dolphin hunting practices, has announced plans to open a marine mammal park.

The town of Taiji, Japan, which has been the subject of controversy over their dolphin hunting practices, has announced plans to open a marine mammal park.

The 2009 Academy Award Winning documentary called The Cove, showcased dolphin hunters in Taiji, located in the Wakayama Prefecture of Japan, and garnered attention for the plight of the dolphins in that area.

Taiji town official Masaki Wada says that the annual hunting of dolphins will continue, and that proceeds from the marine mammal park will go towards funding on going fishing practices.

Wada hopes that visitors and tourists will “enjoy watching marine mammals while tasting various marine products, including whale and dolphin meat.”

International animal rights activists travel to Taijin to protest the dolphin hunting, and a local activist from the Dolphin and Whale Action Network in Japan says that the park will only draw more negative attention.

Fisherman in Taiji reportedly caught 1,277 dolphins during the 2012 season, a few of which were sold to aquariums or marine parks, and the rest were butchered for meat.

What do you think about the dolphin and whale hunting community opening a marine mammal park?