September, 3, 2008: Japan Dolphin Day 2008

On September, 3, 2008, individuals worldwide will unite for the fourth annual Japan Dolphin Day to speak out against the cruel drive fisheries of Japan, which slaughter hundreds of dolphins in every hunt. As we have since its founding in 2005, Humane Society International will once again be promoting and participating in this important event.

Death and Suffering

The dolphin slaughtering season in Taiji, a small coastal town of Japan, often lasts from September to March. During this time, pods of dolphins are herded into a shallow cove by fishermen in small boats and then are brutally killed with lances and knives. A few will be kept alive to be sold into the captive dolphin industry, including swim-with-the-dolphins programs, where they may suffer for years.

Some of the dolphins who are killed are used for their meat which, recent studies have shown, has high levels of mercury and is not suitable for consumption by children or pregnant women. Unfortunately, dolphin meat continues to be sold in Japan despite the risks and without any warning from the government.

Motivation for the Hunt

The Taiji dolphin hunts continue to prosper because the fishermen receive immense profits from selling some of their victims to the captive dolphin industry. The government also gives the fishermen permission to continue the hunt because they consider the dolphins pests who eat too much of the fish stocks around Taiji.

Secret Slaughter No Longer

Now, a new documentary is in the works which will hopefully alert a greater portion of the public to what is going on in Taiji. Entitled "The Rising," it was filmed secretly by members of the United States conservation group Ocean Preservation Society (OPS) with help from the Save Japan Dolphins coalition. The footage displays the horrible cruelty dolphins are forced to endure in Taiji's drive fisheries. The film is scheduled for release in early 2009.

Speaking Out for Animals

In the meantime, dolphin advocates hope to draw attention to drive fisheries on September 3. Individuals and groups including Humane Society International will gather to protest at Japanese embassies and consulate offices across the globe. The majority of people in Japan have no idea that their country is allowing the slaughter of so many dolphins, and most people around the world are also not aware. The blood-stained sea and panicked screams of the dolphins will not go unremarked as activists worldwide make sure that their cries are heard for the dolphins.

Ask the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums to expel members who accept dolphins from drive fisheries.

https://community.hsus.org/campaign/hsi_waza_drive_fishery

Information on attending Japan Dolphin Day rallies worldwide on September 3, 2008.

The following is a list of cities with organizations participating in Japan Dolphin Day 2008. Please visit these organizations' web sites directly for more information about scheduling and logistics if you are interested in attending.
http://www.hsus.org/hsi/oceans/dolphins/drive_fisheries/japan_dolphin_day_200...

You can go to the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate office at 12 noon and join the protest. The addresses are listed here: http://www.learn4good.com/travel/japan_embassies.htm

If you would like more information about how to set up your own protest or how to join protests in other cities around the world, please contact Ric O'Barry ricobarry@bellsouth.net

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[Lemo267]

Why can't I comment normally here?

[EcoTerroristJapan]

Because comments are approval only.

[Lemo267]

Is there a person who pays attention to fishes which are dolphins' food then though a lot of people go to see dolphins in sightseeing?

Don't you think that it is cruel that dolphins eat fish as for you, and you eats cow's steak?

As for you, should a not beautiful living thing die if you think that only a beautiful living thing should survive?

[EcoTerroristJapan]

Dolphins eat fish they live in the water, we do not. We farm they can't. Dolphins are not fish they are mammals, give birth and breath air like we do. They are more intelligent than a regular farmed animal that people eat.

Besides we don't have to kill any animals in order to survive, close to a billion Hindus, plus Buddhist and people who choose vegetarian or vegan diet worldwide are the living example of that. Just because you eat meat don't think everybody does.

[Lemo267]

Oops, I said that "Many Japanese thinks that pigs and cows are innocent animals as same as dolphins.".

But, I meant "Many Japanese thinks that all of the living thing are innocent animals as same as dolphins and whales.".

Sorry.

[EcoTerroristJapan]

The Japanese emperor Temmu outlawed eating cattle, horses, chickens, dogs, even fishing.

[TheBlueRose7]

For the Japanese to celebrate anything having to do with the oceanic mammal population is for Americans to celebrate the wonderful light show at Pearl Harbour on Dec.7 1941. To me personally it is an affront to common sense; We do not eat each other.

[Lemo267]

By the way,

Have you ever heard Japanese "Itadaki-masu"?

This is a meaning "I get it" when translating literally into English.

However, this is a meaning "Thank you for being our foods" accurately.

We say it before it eats in many cases. The apology and thanks to the living thing sacrificed for us are put in it.

Can't you believe what I say?

[Lemo267]

He is a person who was born 1400 years ago.

It might be unrelated to modern Japan.

And, a modern Japanese doesn't have the custom of eating the dog.

[Lemo267]

I know some people living by eating only the vegetable or fruit.

However, a lot of Japanese think that the vegetable and the fruit are living like as a animals.

Their many think like that, the vegetarian is very few in Japan.

Of course, most Japanese are opposite to the "meaningless" slaughter to the animals.

[Lemo267]

I understand.

It troubled you and everyone, sorry.

But, I'm talking seriously.