Activists Protest Dolphin Hunts in Taiji, Japan

International animal rights activists gathered at the town of Taiji in Japan to protest against dolphin hunting. The town is known as a whaling centre and was made famous by the Academy Award winning documentary "The Cove".

On Tuesday several activist groups gathered in the Japanese prefecture of Wakayama to protest against dolphin hunting by Japanese fishermen.

Western activists have been monitoring the fishermen's movements since the dolphin hunt season started in September.

In a report dated October 11 on its website, activist group Sea Shepherd said they witnessed the second slaughter of dolphins in Taiji this season. They also said 14 dolphins were killed while another six-- mothers and calves -- were spared, at least temporarily.

Japanese broadcaster TBS, however, said the town's first hunt this month was on Tuesday and did not mention how many dolphins were involved.

TBS reported that police were also present to prevent the protests from turning violent.

[Steve Thompson, Taiji Dolphin Action Group]:
"Today. No fishing. There is a baby dolphin, a pregnant dolphin. If you take them that is wrong."

Taiji shot to fame thanks to the Oscar-winning documentary "The Cove". It followed eco-activists struggling with Japanese police and fishermen to gain access to a secluded cove in Taiji.

Japan has long maintained that killing dolphins is not banned under any international treaty, and the creatures are not endangered. They say dolphins need to be culled to protect their fishing grounds.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• International
• animal
• rights
• whaling
• centre
• The Cove
• documentary
• Wakayama
• fishermen
• Sea Shepherd
• TBS
• Oscar-winning
• eco-activists
• protests
• NTD
• NTDTV
• Asia
• Brief

[TheAntiV]

@AthenaaKoh

Wow, what an incredibly disgusting thing to say.

[HitmanWolf46]

@AthenaaKoh Then how about other places where they murder animals? U better drop dead, wanker!

[katiecountrygurl]

@AthenaaKoh THAT IS TOTALLY TRUE

[katiecountrygurl]

this is just wrong. SHAME ON YOU JAPAN SHAME!

[jasonism123]

@JUKIO01 I'd shoot you, if see you!

[hippofairy34]

@YourPalHDee you, sir, are a clown.

[hippofairy34]

Quite a few of you need to educate yourselves. I don't claim to know much about Japan, but what I do know is that as a young adult from the United States, I'm not much different from any citizen in Japan. All of you should watch the film "The Cove", I highly recommend it. In fact, the film centers on Rick O'Barry and supporters, and avid activist for the saving of the dolphins, who has been unrelentingly trying to get the International Whaling Commission to protect the dolphins around the world.

[AthenaaKoh]

Japan's earthquake is a sign from god. Those Japanese deserve it.

[asobumanabu]

I'll say to the activists Go and insure your life before you enter japan next time and pray for your families and enjoy your rest of life kkkk

[MyUnfamous]

Odio el echo de q esten matando delfines sin razon alguna, sabiendo q tienen un alto porciento de metales q no hacen ningun bien al cuerpo, pero no culpo a todos los japoneses, si no, culpo a los q dejan q hagan esas cosas. De echo a mi nunca me gusto su musica ni los anime...