Japanese Dolphin Slaughter to Continue Despite Current Suspension
Last Tuesday, EcoWorldly Staff Writer Bryan Nelson wrote an article on the suspension of dolphin slaughter in Taiji, Japan. The suspension came off of Japanese local media swarming on Taiji, after the award winning documentary film “The Cove” put the spotlight on the small Japanese village that slaughters thousands of dolphins every year.
Ric O’Barry, the dolphin trainer and activist who brought the location to the attention of filmmakers, returned to the site of the slaughter this week, just as the annual “hunt” would normally begin. However, this time with all of the media attention, no dolphins were killed in the first 2 days of the season.
“It has been an exciting morning and the people here are very hostile, but as long as this goes on and we keep the pressure on, they cannot hunt the dolphins.” -Ric O’Barry
Sadly, O’Barry admits solemnly, this is only temporary. O’Barry keeping a watchful eye on the dolphin fishermen, has managed to disrupt the first two days of the annual dolphin hunt in the Japanese town of Taiji, but accepts that as soon as he leaves the fishermen will resume the killing.
“It’s very expensive for me be here and I can’t stay for the whole six months of the season”-Ric O’Barry
According to the Japan Fisheries Agency, around 20,000 dolphins will be killed all around Japan this season. The documentary revealed that dolphin meat is often sold illegally to the Japanese school system, and that school children often have no idea that what they are eating is dolphin meat. Dolphin meat has been shown to have high levels of mercury, which can be a huge problem for developing children.
On the coast of Japan, fishermen set out in dozens of boats and chase down a pod of dolphins. They then surround the pod with their boats, and create loud noises with metal poles, to frighten the dolphins into a net at the mouth of the bay. They leave for the day as the dolphins struggle within the nets frantically. The fishermen come back the next day to find “worthy” specimens. Fishermen tie a rope around the dolphins tail fin, and literally drag the dolphins to the coast for slaughter. The crystal blue ocean water turns crimson with the blood of the dolphins, as their necks are slit one by one and thrown onto an awaiting boat.
Dolphin fishermen will not just give up easily because of a little media attention, as each dolphin sold for meat will net them around $500 apiece. Each dolphin that they believed can be trained for aquariums can net them $150,000.
O’Barry is only staying in town for a week, and has already encountered angry locals at what they perceive to be interference in their industry. On Tuesday morning, as he tried to enter a grocery store, the head of the fishing union blocked the door and refused to allow him to buy any food. As soon as O’Barry leaves Taiji, media attention will wane, and the dolphin slaughter will continue.
The film “The Cove” has gone a long way in raising awareness. You can check to see if their are any screenings of the film in your area here. Spread the word. If enough people around the world know about what is happening in Taiji, O’Barry will no longer be the lone voice of protest that stands between the dolphins and those that wish to slaughter them.
Source: Telegraph.co.uk, The Cove
Image Credit: Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
Is it not possible to get schools and public involved if their children are being poisoned? I’m very sorry Ric has to leave.
So the fishermen insist on killing the dolphins and they end up damaging the children of their fellow countrymen… karmic, senseless and tragic.
Just as I posted on the previous article, the dolphin hunts in Taiji are ongoing as planned.
Now I have a question. Did Mr.O’Barry go to schools or hospitals in Taiji to find out how many children are damaged by the mercury in dolphin meat? I think he didn’t and he won’t, just because there are very few patients suffering from mercury poisoning in Taiji.
This is really crazy, man….
It’s a “SEA OF RED” !!!
Senseless & TRAGIC !!!
Yes Pig is right. On September 9th the Dolphin hunt resumed.
Yes, it’s a sea of red. Just the same color as a “BLOODY ROOM” of slaughterhouse.
I would like to ask those who are against this dolphin hunt to make sure the reasons.
Is that because of…
Mercury poisoning? > It’s unlikely to happen now. If you doubt, please tell the staff of “The Cove” to go search into hospitals or schools or a health center in Taiji.
Animal welfare? > It’s just as gruesome as slaughtering other animals. The only difference is whether they do it indoors, or outdoors.
Conservation of wildlife? > The dolphins are not endangered, and hunted within a quota.
High intelligence of dolphin? > I think it’s a distorted idea to protect a certain species because of its intelligence or cuteness. The reason for protection should only be a decrease in population.
Now I understand different people have different ideas. And hope you to understand it as well. People in Taiji have different ideas from you. That’s all.
Thank you for reading all my broken English comment.
Pig, I agree with you that we cannot judge the Japanese based on the standards we have. In anthropology this is called cultural relativism. For them, dolphin hunting is something that they grew up with and is accepted in their culture.
However, I also don’t believe just because something that is accepted in a certain culture cannot be criticized and protested against by the world at large.
I do see that their is a problem with killing such intelligent animals. This is the same argument that has allowed positive changed in primate lab research.
The mercury is also a problem, although there is some debate at what levels are needed to cause problems. Obviously some people have a diet consisting of mainly fish and don’t have problems with mercury, but at the same time it is clear that mercury poisoning does exsist. It is definitely something that needs to be researched further.
Thank you Mr.Hohler, I think even a traditional culture can’t avoid being accused in some cases, too. But I believe it would always require at least one persuasive reason to stop it entirely.
Insisting that we shouldn’t kill smart animals often backfires in Japan. Because it means, indirectly or not, we would have no problem with killing any animals that are not intelligent so much. In other words, you’re killing cows, pigs, chickens, and many other livestock and wild animals, just because they are not so smart, or rather dull should I say. That is an unacceptable mindset for most of the Japanese, as they basically believe each animals’ life is equal. This is based on Buddhism and Shinto, I think. I’m really sorry to say, but, the more you emphasize that certain species are intelligent so don’t kill them, the more you would sound incomprehensible to the Japanese. They know dolphins are intelligent, but that cannot be a reason to stop killing them. And it would bring us another problem as well. How should we draw a line between intelligent animals and dull ones? This may sound like a quibble to you, but it’s a serious matter to the Japanese. Pigs are as intelligent as dogs. Mice and crows are really clever enough to use tools, but they are just regarded as pests. Primate lab research might have been changed positively, but how about mice. Many primates, such as Chimpanzee and Japanese macaque, are endangered species. Then, wasn’t that compelling enough to improve the circumstances for them? Elephants are so intelligent as well, they can even paint a picture. But I believe they should be protected only because their population has been declining, not because of their intelligence.
As for mercury poisoning, I agree with you that it needs to be researched further. If there are any data that clearly indicate Taiji(and other regions where people eat dolphin meat, maybe) has higher numbers of patients, some proper actions should be taken by the government immediately. Actually the government has already announced for years that a pregnant woman had better not eat dolphin meat more than once in 2 months, and each amount should be less than 80g.If that is not enough, they should make a new rule. But that can’t be a reason to stop the dolphin hunts, either. Because even if dolphin meat is so dangerous, people should only stop ‘eating’ it. Dolphins are disturbing the fishermen in Taiji, chasing a cloud of fish, and breaking into the fishnets. This is another reason why they hunt dolphins. And I also think this is an internal affair.
Please let me tell you one more thing that many Japanese care about, concerning this issue. Some Japanese people think this is a kind of racism or even business only for money, and there is certain reason for it. Why those who loathe what’s happening in a local small town in Japan are neglecting what’s happening in their own countries?
I mean, they might have enjoyed making and watching such films as “Whale Wars” or “The Cove”, but if they had such enough money, why did they not use it to protect animals in their own countries? If the staff of “Whale Wars” or “The Cove” made the same effort in America or Australia, they could have stopped the use of dolphins for military purpose in the USA or the illegal dugong poaching now happening in Australia. Who would listen to a man saying that smoking is bad for your health, if he had a cigarette in his own hand? I hope you could understand what I’m trying to say. We all should do the best in each of our country first, then give some advice each other.
People who enjoy watching Japan’s issues wouldn’t even try to look at their own cultural problems. Franch people are eating foie gras, Spanish are bullfighting, British and Kiwi hunting wild animals, Canadians are hunting seals, and Australians are hunting endangered dugongs and turtles. These are all being done under the name of ‘tradition’. Moreover, Americans are shooting wild pigs from a helicopter, Australians are killing kangaroos, calling them ‘pests’. I know some people are trying to stop these practices, but could any of these issues ever become successful and worldwide documents and would make as much money as “Whale Wars” or “The Cove”? I have never heard of such news. What’s the difference? That’s why it smells like business, using somewhat potential racism.
At the same time that this news was reported over the world, we had another news that male chicks were being ground alive in the USA. While the hatchery covered everything up, Taiji stopped the hunt for a week and did not kill any dolphins before Mr.O’Barry’s eyes. Now I think this might be a great courtesy of Taiji, though Mr.O’Barry seems not to understand it at all. Humbleness is virtue in Japan, but he shouldn’t rely on it too much.
It’s important that people keep spreading the word about this film. It’s making an impact, and it’s too important to ignore. Tell all your friends and family to go see The Cove!