1. Dolphin hunting operations in Taiji, Wakayama, Japan
Presented by Jake Jones
2. Taiji is a small town in Higashimuro District, Wakayama,
Japan Primarily known as a Whaling town. Japanese traditional
whaling techniques were created here going back as the late 17th
century. To this day, the capturing and killing of dolphins remains
as a major source of income and food for the citizens of
Taiji.
3. This is where it all goes down.
4. The dolphin hunting operations begin in September and end in
April every year. The dolphins and whales are captured then
slaughtered for their meat and sold all around Japan from local
grocery stores to aquariums. Even though the hunts are mainly for
the meat, most Japanese people do not even eat dolphin or whale
meat, resulting in a surplus.
5. This is the largest scale dolphin slaughter in the world and
unfortunately very few of us know about it. 2,300 of Japans annual
quota of 20,000 dolphins will be captured. Fishermen go after
groups and use poles to bang under water to disrupt the dolphins
hypersensitive sonar as they trap them back into the cove.
6. Mercury Poisoning Researchers even discovered high amounts
of mercury in the whale and dolphin meat currently being
distributed around Japan. This is poisoning the local towns people
and is a big issue in Japan
7. Some may argue they are keeping the population stable but
never should a operation of this magnitude occur. Another reason
this happens is because it is the Japanese keeping one of their old
traditions.
8. A 5 year filmed secret documentary of the capturing and
slaughtering of dolphins and whales that takes place every year in
Taiji. They used high tech video and sound equipment to get
recordings of these gruesome acts. After the release of the movie
more and more activists appeared at the cove to protest and record
the slaughtering's, all while the fishermen started putting up
tarps to conceal it all.
