Taiji Whalers Extend Hunt by a Month - Thanks to Tsunami

By Max Follmer
May 6, 2011
5 comments
whaling_gloves
A fisheries worker washes gloves after cutting up whales at Taiji, in this Reuters Pictures file photo from 2008. 

In yet another sign that Japanese whale hunters won't let something as catastrophic as the March earthquake and tsunami keep their boats in the harbor, local officials in Taiji — the town made famous by The Cove — have extended the annual coastal whale hunt through May in order to accommodate the disruption to the season. Normally, whalers in Wakayama Prefecture hunt pilot whales off the coast of Japan from September to April. But Mother Nature's intervention earlier in the Spring meant reduced hauls for the whaling ships. 

Brian Barnes, an activist with Save Japan Dolphins, told Reuters in an interview via Facebook that the activist community understands this is a sensitive time for Japan, "but how can the Japanese government continue to ignore world-wide public opposition to killing of dolphins and whales?" Barnes and other activists survived the tsunami and its aftermath.Save Japan Dolphins has reported on their website that at least 20-25 pilot whales were killed Friday in the Cove, with another 40 killed on Thursday. Save Japan Dolphins is encouraging people to write to Japan's embassy in the United States and — politely but firmly — urge them to halt the killing in Taiji. 

Ambassador Ichiro FUJISAKI

2520 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.

Washington, DC 20008

Phone:  202-238-6700

Fax: 202-328-2187

Japan Information and Culture Center

E-mail: jicc@ws.mofa.go.jp

Pressure from Sea Shepherd earlier this year forced Japan's Antarctic whaling fleet to return home early, without having killed any whales. 

Comments

5
kitty4281
posted on Jul 16, 2011
It makes me sick what they do to those dolphins,how could they do that?!!!!
Diana Ramirez
posted on Jun 28, 2011
I understand what are you talking about ; why do we care so much about dolphins and whales? if we also kill animals to eat them, and that's why japoness don't understand why we don't care about the cows, chickens, and ducks in france (foie gras) we kill daily. but dolphins and whales are going to dissapear very soon if we don't stop this, second cow's meat is not full of mercury your kids wont get sick by eating it. You were talking also about hypocrisy, why we care about dolphins and not about the ocean, you just have to start somewhere to change the world, so let me ask you what are you doing today to change the world? I can see that you are aware that the world is not going in to the good direction to preserve the planet where we are living, so many wars so much distruction, but people like you and me we take part and try to do something about this, there still hope. Don't be negative about other causes, just be really possitive about your own cause, and people will take part of it, of becoming aware and with your help we will change the world wish you the best to you and the people you love!
Karla Perdomo
posted on Jun 19, 2011
you reap what you sow and thats why god sent you a freaking tsunami exactly to that town!
lantern
posted on May 10, 2011
Maybe they hunt the dolphins because they taste good and they're more efficient as a food source than killings hundreds of salmon. To be honest, I feel more sorry for cows. They lives their whole lives in captivity and end up in a Big Mac or as shoes. These dolphins have a full life in the wild... and then we harvest them. It's only because people have seen dolphins at SeaWorld that have been taught tricks that people feel sorry for them. No one shows outrage over the dogs that are eaten in Vietnam and Korea... even though their precious pet pooches are intelligent animals. Same goes for pigs, which are even smarter. They end up being an extremely versatile meat... but no one sheds a tear for porky. Give me a break with this hypocrisy. Why not attack things that matter, like how we destroy the environment these creatures live in... or how we can't seem to keep from killing one another to defend a line on a map.
svejpndlphns
posted on May 8, 2011
Are you kidding me! You should be a little more concered about YOUR FUTURE than the dolphins, and whales right now you suckers.....i can't believe they would do this! its bascially saying F U we can do whatever we want cause Obama is not our president!