The Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA) has been suspended by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) over the body’s involvement in highly controversial dolphin hunts.

WAZA chose to suspend JAZA following a unanimous vote by its council. The world zoo and aquarium body was the target of conservationists last month, who accused the body of approving dolphin hunting by association, which sees the creatures forced into shallow waters before being slaughtered or caught for public display in aquariums.

Japan’s Taiji dolphin hunts have gained notoriety in recent times thanks to documentary film The Cove, which shows the brutal manner in which the highly-intelligent cetaceans are being hunted. JAZA represents aquariums which have taken dolphins from these hunts. The body also rejected a WAZA proposal for a two-year suspension on the practice.

“JAZA responded (to the suspension) by proposing guideline changes that would put restrictions on the method of capturing dolphins and improving animal care, but because it did not restrict taking animals from the drive, WAZA has concluded that a satisfactory agreement could not be reached and voted to suspend the Japanese association’s membership,” said a WAZA statement.

“The basis for the suspension is a determination that JAZA has violated the WAZA code of ethics and animal welfare. Moreover, the council reaffirmed its position that members must confirm that they will not acquire dolphins from the Taiji fishery.”

According to reports, in the past five years, more than 5,000 dolphins have been killed using the Taiji fishing methods, with an additional 750 animals ending up on display in aquariums. In the past year, more than 750 dolphins have been killed, with 41 bottlenose dolphins captured for display purposes.

WAZA has more than 20 associate members, with a further 300 individual zoo members, including London Zoo, Melbourne Zoo and the Zoological Society of San Diego among others.