The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums said it was "pleased" to learn the Japanese zoo group will officially ban its members from buying wild dolphins captured off the town of Taiji in Wakayama Prefecture.

In a statement released overnight after Wednesday's decision by the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the global industry body of more than 1,300 zoos and aquariums said it considers JAZA's move "a welcome breakthrough."

The Switzerland-based world body suspended JAZA's membership last month, saying it would expel the group unless it promised to stop acquiring dolphins from Taiji, where drive hunts and annual culls of wild dolphins for sale as food sparked outrage from activists.