Read the latest on Taiji, Japan here - what do you think? How can we end this barbaric "tradition"? Is this something that should be happening in 2015?
RSS Feed
Photo used under Creative Commons from ustung
|
|
Read the latest on Taiji, Japan here - what do you think? How can we end this barbaric "tradition"? Is this something that should be happening in 2015?
50 Comments
Brian Sputh
2/25/2015 08:50:11 am
I think that what is going on in Taiji with the dolphins in unnecessary and not right. The slaughtering on dolphins needs to stop and the Japanese government needs to know that this is going on and needs to stop it. Watching The Cove and seeing how people in various parts of Japan had no idea this was happening because the media was covering it up. This "tradition" needs to stop in Taiji. Many people know that dolphins contain mercury and is not safe to eat and it is barbaric and insane to slaughter dolphins for no reason. The fishermen using the poles to create the sounds to lure the dolphins in is just cruel and then they put the dolphins in nets and wrangle them up. It's crazy and inhumane. I think that this shouldn't be happening in 2015. In a time now where there are so many activists for so many things, people need to continue to spread a word about these cruel practices and it is great to see that celebrities are expressing their opinions about the problem, and trying to help spread awareness about the dolphins in the cove.
Sarah Walsh
2/26/2015 12:29:41 am
I agree that it is shocking to see how people living in Japan did not know this was occurring. The best thing that can be done is to spread awareness, here and in Japan. I think if people knew what was truly going on, there would be more public outcry. It's important for us to try and stop this though, because it is much harder to do as a Japanese citizen.
Alyssa Lofaro
3/2/2015 03:02:59 am
I agree. It's crazy to think that Japanese people didn't know this was taking place, especially in the town it is taking place in. I think that the more people who watch The Cove, the better the change we will be able to stop this.
Sarah Walsh
2/25/2015 11:25:16 pm
I think that what Taiji is doing is absolutely inexcusable. The methods they are utilizing are, as the article says, barbaric. It is nothing short of cruelty, and because dolphins are such an intelligent and self-aware species, it is all the worse. I was completely horrified in The Cove when they showed the video of the dolphin slaughter taking place- these remarkable creatures are being stabbed at, haphazardly and clumsily. They are left thrashing about in a sea reddened by their own blood and the blood of their cohorts. I think it is important that we continue spreading the story of what is going on in the Cove. Publicizing the issue and informing others is the greatest thing we can do, and something very accessible to all of us. The more people are made aware, the more pressure will be put on our government and the Japanese government to put an end to this.
Corinne Caminske
2/26/2015 06:36:25 am
You're right! seeing the dolphin killing before you're eyes is impossible to ignore. We need to continue Ric O'bary's work and keep informing as many people as we can.
Emma Philbin
2/26/2015 08:03:35 pm
I could not have said it better myself, their killing methods is nothing short of cruelty. They kill carelessly and hazardously causing the dolphin an extremely painful death. Their is noting humane about that and it needs to ended.
Gianna
3/1/2015 07:14:02 am
I agree that we have to keep making The Cove a big deal. It can not just be a "fad"- we can not let the truth of that documentary fade into the past, or dolphin slaughter will never end until they have captured every last pod.
Owen Guinessey
4/1/2015 06:07:53 pm
You're right people need to know wbout this issue so that the practices can be changed to save these dolphins.
Corinne Caminske
2/26/2015 06:34:15 am
I find it unbelievable that so few people know about this issue even after the cove was released. The dolphin slaughter is completely ridiculous to say the least. By selling the dolphin meat, Japan is only killing themselves. Also, by killing dolphins for "pest control" they're worsening their fishing complications by distorting the natural balance. We all can do our part and sign that petition to stop the killing. Honestly it will take you a total of two minutes and you'll feel like you made a difference in the world :) Together we can make the world a better place for dolphins.
Jake vail
3/1/2015 11:07:26 am
Great point,
Emma Philbin
2/26/2015 08:02:06 pm
This article and the movie "The Cove" we watched in class has left me feeling sick. For a local town of only 3,500 people, killing 2,000 dolphins per season is unacceptable. Taiji is not only selling this dolphins for their meat (which is actually killing themselves with mercury poisoning), but taking these beautiful creatures out of their home and natural habitat and forcing them into captivity by selling them to aquariums around the world. Dolphins in fact are similar to humans (same spot on the food chain), but just live under water. That makes me wonder how these killers can sleep at night knowing they barbarically killed these dolphins. They try to use the excuse of it being a tradition in their culture, but there is nothing civil about stabbing and wounding the dolphin until it drowns in its own blood. There is no excuse for that, and I am glad movies like the cove were created to shed light on these inhumane atrocities.
Nicholas Cowan
3/1/2015 08:11:38 am
I agree: the cove and other actions like it are great ways to pressure the Japanese government into making a change and ending such atrocities. It is just sad that this is only one out of many many many atrocities happening in the world every day, all of which we need to put an end to.
Lucas Brennan
3/5/2015 10:49:43 am
You make a great point Emma about the the movie being produced shedding light on the situation. More things like that should come to fruition to educate more people on the matter. It is rather ironic that them slaughtering these dolphins and selling their meat is ending up killing them.
Emma Schrader
2/27/2015 12:08:39 am
After watching the video and reading the article about the update on the cove, I still can't get over that over 2,000 dolphins are slaughtered each year, however because of the movie there has been a reduction in the amount of dolphins they can kill. I think that it is ridiculous to think that they are killing these dolphins because of tradition, when people out of that small town don't even know that this is happening. I think that to completely end this we need to educate people about the how the dolphins are being put into their meat and not being told about it.
Brian Sputh
3/1/2015 04:08:45 am
I agree with you Emma, this in no way has ever been a tradition and most of the country doesn't know that the slaughtering of dolphins is going on. People do need to be educated on the effects of eating dolphin meat and the consequences of slaughtering the dolphins.
Kaitlyn Gibbons
3/2/2015 12:56:12 am
I agree Emma, it is insane to think more than 2,000 dolphins are slaughtered each year for "cultural reasons," and "tradition." We need to be more educated, and continue to tell others about the tragedy that is currently happening in Japan.
Gianna
3/1/2015 07:12:24 am
What angers me is referring to dolphin slaughtering as ok because they are "a legitimate marine resource." What is that supposed to mean? They commit suicide or fall into deep depression in aquariums, and their meat makes people extremely sick. What part of that is legitimate or resourceful? They are not just another "fish". Endless research and interaction has proven that dolphins are empathetic, intelligent, and loving creatures. They deserve to live in peace and be marveled at, not corralled and brutally slaughtered over a period of several intolerable hours. This practice needs to end. It is not 'cultural'- and even if it was- that is a culture that has some serious problems. I believe the only way to stop this is to either encourage the Japanese people to have their laws changed, or we must continue to rally.
Jake vail
3/1/2015 11:19:10 am
I love that you said that culture has serious problems, it's kindof like how nobody really wants to eat baby koalas, it's just not fair to the poor things.
Julie Marro
3/3/2015 09:01:19 am
You make a great point, the killing of these dolphins is completely unnecessary, and the claims in favor of this slaughter just do not make sense. The people of Japan need to recognize that and bring an end to this practice.
Mariel Lucian
3/30/2015 09:10:48 am
I agree Gi that it's horrifying to know that such animals are being inhumanely slaughtered when it's been proven that they have a high level of intelligence and are sentient beings. Studies have shown that unlike other beloved animals dolphins are self-aware and can recognize themselves in mirrors, movies, and pictures, etc. This knowledge that dolphins are so aware when cruel actions such as the Taijii slaughters are happening makes it so much worse.
Robert Boos
3/31/2015 01:24:21 am
Gi while the slaughter of these dolphins may seem immoral or barbaric, it is not much worse than our current practices. If you believe killing dolphins for food is "immoral" just because they are beautiful or cute or smart, I would have to disagree with you. They are using the dolphin for food or entertainment which does have its economic benefits. Although the meat contains poisonous mercury, it is not a common plate and so exposure should be minimal. If you are upset over the waste they are producing then I would agree. The dolphins that are slaughtered and not used for something is wrong, if you are going to kill something, at least make use of it. But overall it is their methods of killing that bothers me, not the killing itself. It would be hypocritical to complain about killing an animal that is "loving" or "empathetic", when here in America we eat more animals than any other country. Get your opinions straightened out.
Nicholas Cowan
3/1/2015 08:01:59 am
After watching the video and reading the article, I personally would like to know what type of person signs up to murder thousands of dolphins for a living. I mean really, how do those people sleep at night? You can obviously tell that any of their excuses - that this is a "cultural" practice or that they need to limit the populations of dolphins and whales because they are competition for other fish - are just BS. They are in it for the money, just like any other person in this world. They also argue that conservationists are hypocritical because the killing of dolphins is just like the slaughter of livestock: but personally I do not think that any activist is okay with either. Our idea of human dominance over every other creature needs to end; we need to have a moral sentiment over how we live on this Earth and the barbaric slaughter of dolphins should not fit those morals.
Jake A. Vail
3/1/2015 11:16:22 am
First of all, the mere fact that dolphin slaughter has began in another small Japanese village makes my stomach hurt. Imagine, a beautiful wild and for us in the north east, relatively rare creature, just swimming along when all of a sudden some butt stabs you and you struggle for air but inevitably sink below the surface. What kind of sick person does this?! It makes me so mad. I will never forget the time I was on my cousin's boat in Virginia Beach when four beautiful Dolphins swam right up to the boat and followed us around for a little. Or the time I was at my beach house and came upon one long dead with out one of its fins. Or the time I was also on fire island and got to see a group of them flipping up into the air about a half mile off shore. Later on, I came upon the lifeguard who swam with them on his board, instagram and got to see them interact. These incredible creatures need to be protected. And by the way, yes they eat fish, but the time lapse of the factory in Japan showed a mass quantities of fish that humans were taking, it's not all the Dolphins fault.
Kaitlyn Gibbons
3/2/2015 12:53:48 am
I always knew dolphins were treated cruelly, but I did not know the extent of the cruelty until after I watched The Cove. I find the Japanese government's ignorance appalling. Claiming that slaughtering dolphins is a "cultural practice" is truly unsettling. Not only are they killing an animal that is intelligent, they are killing themselves from the mercury dolphins contain. I feel this inhumane, brutal "tradition" needs to become common knowledge, and must be stopped.
Isha
3/2/2015 09:10:15 am
I agree Kaitlyn. The negative outcomes of this "practice" outweigh the positive. However, people will continue to be wildly ignorant as long as they make some cash at the end of the day
Alyssa Lofaro
3/2/2015 03:00:34 am
For a small town of only 3,500 people in the Japanese prefecture of Wakayama to have an annual quota of 2,00 dolphins is ridiculous. I would love to know what type of people can just go out and kill of thousands of dolphins because they claim there are too many. We all just know that there In it for the money. I also find it very shocking that there government allows this and that other governments from around the world aren't doing anything to stop it. Thankfully though with the release of the movie "The Cove" many people are realizing how cruelly dolphins are being treated, myself included. I believe that if more people are educated with watching this movie we could quite possibly stop the dolphin slaughters not just in Japan but also in many other parts of the world.
William Fridrich
3/29/2015 09:03:48 am
I don't see how these people can go home and look in a mirror and not be horrified by the fact that they truly are monsters, slaughtering these innocent creatures and lying about the purpose of their slaughter, where the meat is going, and the fact that this is some sort of "tradition". If there was another sudden public outcry towards the Japanese government from a number of other governments and Japanese citizens it is likely that that pressure would amount to some change in the situation in Taiji, but until that happens it is the unfortunate reality that things will most likely stay the same.
Isha
3/2/2015 09:08:04 am
After watching the documentary I honestly couldn't stop thinking about the poor dolphins. The images of the fisherman ruthlessly beating the spines of the dolphins until the entire water in the cove was red is still stuck in my head. It's so easy for the fishermen to kill them because they have no connection with the dolphins. The fishermen are not conscious of how intelligent and beautiful the dolphins really are; that's why its so easy for them to tune out the dolphin's cries. It will be difficult eliminating the fisherman's slaughtering, but the best way to attack it is to educate the public. Once people are aware of the reality, they will stand up to protest like how the surfers did, or they will continue to spread the knowledge to the people of Japan.
Julie Marro
3/3/2015 08:59:21 am
What's going on in Taiji is inexcusable, and I can't believe it's still happening today. Saying that the slaughtering of these beautiful creatures is justified because of "tradition" or meat just isn't a good enough excuse, because as the article says, it is simply untrue to call it a tradition. The meat can be toxic and cause all kinds of adverse health effects. The people in Japan need to be educated about what is going on, and get angry about it enough to protest and have their voices heard by the Japanese government. Ultimately, the Japanese government needs to make this practice illegal to protect the dolphins in the cove.
Tara litvin
3/9/2015 01:57:02 am
I completely agree. This is not a tradition. Especially because when the people of Tokyo were asked about this, people didn't know about it
Eileen Keenan
3/5/2015 02:32:56 am
The situation going on in Taiji is absurd. After watching the cove and reading the article I have a new perspective on how people handle animals and how they treat them. The people that harm these Dolphins should be ashamed of the harm they cause and the negative affects it is bringing. Also knowing that most of Japan doesn't know that any of is is occurring is mind boggling. The fisherman if Taiji should be held responsible for their actions and the rest of Japan should learn of what has been happening. They should know what they are eating and selling and how they are doing it.
Lucas Brennan
3/5/2015 10:47:45 am
Reading this article took me by surprise. I am flabbergasted that something like this is sill going on in 2015. I bet if you asked 10 people if they knew anything about this situation 9 out of 10 of them would say they had no idea. i think that this is the big issue we have to face to stop something like this from continuing. If more people would know about the slaughter of these beautiful creatures it would be essential to getting this ridiculous "tradition" stopped. These poor dolphins have done nothing to deserve such a fate.
Joseph Mullen
4/1/2015 12:55:39 am
You are 115% correct Lucas! If people were more informed about these atrocities towards dolphins, there would be an uproar, not just in japan, but worldwide. If we can force the issue into the public eye, I think there is a good chance of limiting or even ending the needless slaughter.
Tara litvin
3/9/2015 01:55:19 am
In these modern times, it is apauling to think that things like this is still going on. Do many Dolphins are being murdered and sold into the terrible life of captivity. This must be stopped. The fishermen claimed its tradition, but a majority of the population don't even know this is happening.
William Fridrich
3/29/2015 09:00:26 am
It is sad to see that even after all of the facts exposed in The Cove that the fisherman who ceaselessly slaughter dolphins continue to spread lies about how the slaughter is a part of Japanese culture, meanwhile citizens have no idea, and certainly don't know that dolphin meat is being sold labeled as other sea animals for consumption. This is something that shouldn't happen anywhere, ever, much less in 2015 after the outcry that ensued upon the releasing of the documentary. In order for this "tradition" to be truly put to a halt, it is likely that another public fight against the cruelty will need to occur, and the public will once again need to be reminded and shown how cruel these slaughters actually are.
Kyle wilson
3/30/2015 12:23:31 am
I agree that the only way to stop these killings is to get the public involved. If enough people got behind the movement, then the Japanese would have no choice but to end the tradition.
Ryan Rattazzi
4/1/2015 01:27:12 am
Yes true. Making more people informed about these practices is key. However people are informed about how diamonds are gotten, And how ivory is obtained. Overall, no matter what people see, most are too shallow to actually make a change for the better.
Ryan Rattazzi
4/1/2015 01:35:29 am
This is true. People do need to be informed about these killings. However, much like how diamonds are obtained, and how we get ivory, people will not change in order to stop these things.
Mariel Lucian
3/30/2015 09:02:26 am
I agree that hiding behind the word "tradition" is just an excuse to continue these high paying actions. The Japanese fisherman that continue these acts can't blame such a massive slaughter on the demand for dolphin meat when it's such a deadly food source. The high level of mercury found in dolphin meat is commonly known about in Japan thus it's not a popular source of meat anymore. Yet the government supports the fishing. Dolphin meat may be held in high regard yet it's not healthy to consume much due to the fact that dolphin meat is so high in mercury.
Ryan Fargione
3/29/2015 12:00:38 pm
its gross to see these sorts of activities going on in the world. the killing of the dolphins is horrific and unjustifiable but what i found to be the most disturbing was the barbaric method these fisherman use to entrap the dolphins. Barbaric acts can't/shouldnt be protected by the claim of "Tradition". This needs to stop.
Kyle Wilson
3/30/2015 12:20:50 am
The people who support and participate in this gruesome tradition are sick individuals. There is no way to justify the slaughter of 2000 dolphins a year by one single fisherman. This barbaric event is not one that should be occurring in 2015. I think most people are not aware of the current travesty taking place. These people need to be informed about what is happening so that they can join the movement to put an end to the slaughters.
Mariel Lucian
3/30/2015 08:55:20 am
After seeing the appalling documentary on the slaughter of thousands of innocent dolphins in Japan I'm schocked that I wasn't aware of this tragedy sooner. I consider myself we'll informed about worldly issues but never have I heard about these despicable actions until "The Cove". As a child I swam with dolphins in the Bahamas and now I feel guilty for my role in the demand for dolphins. To know that mercilessly 'ugly' dolphins that aren't the perfect image of Flipper are being killed unnecessarily is heartbreaking. And dolphins have always been one of my favorite animals because of their beauty and intelligence. So many people are interested in seeing these beautiful creatures in person yet if people were informed of the actions that go on behind closed doors to receive these dolphins many people would do what's right and stop paying for dolphin entertainment.n
Robert Boos
3/31/2015 01:27:47 am
I believe the act of killing the dolphins and using their meat is not immoral. We kill animals everyday for food or use them for our entertainment so why would this animal be any different? I'm sure an in depth study of any animal will show that it is "loving" or "empathetic", so why are dolphins an exception? The problem I have with this act is the barbaric methods used to kill these animals and the waste that is produced. If they are going to kill the dolphins for their own gain they should at least make it relatively painless and use every dolphin they kill. Killing for sport or fun is the main problem with this and it is a damn waste.
Alyssa Ruml
4/14/2015 08:08:29 am
I defiantly see your point. People feel bad for dolphins being killed, but don't feel bad for cows, pigs, or chickens being killed. It's because people see the dolphin as the precious sea creature, and they see the cows, chickens, and pigs as food. I also agree that they can defiantly tone down the pain these dolphins endure while being hunted and killed.
Joseph Mullen
4/1/2015 12:23:43 am
The slaughter of dolphins in Japan disgusts me. Eating dolphin is not really a tradition in Japan, and it is quite rare. The fact that most of the dolphins being killed are for meat shows how corrupt the industry is in Japan. The fact that an animal no one wants to eat is killed so it can be mislabeled and sold disturbs me. I would feel awful if I knew that I was consuming a dolphin that was killed in such an awful way, and I am sure that most of Japan would agree with me.
Evan D'Agostino
4/1/2015 03:55:19 pm
I agree with you. The Japanese are hurting themselves by consuming the Dolphins.
Ryan Rattazzi
4/1/2015 01:38:57 am
I believe Dolphins are the same as other animals. Although they are cute animals and I do like them, there is no difference between people in Japan eating Dolphins and us eating cows and pigs. The only thing that needs to be stopped is the killing of animals for no reason. If Dolphins are bein slaughtered and thrown away, it is immoral and should be stopped.🐬
Evan D'Agostino
4/1/2015 03:53:23 pm
The killing of these Dolphins is a horrific act of unnecessary violence. After seeing the cove and reading the article, I don't know how anyone can still be ignorant to this tragedy.
Owen Guinessey
4/1/2015 06:12:20 pm
Its hard to believe that hunting dolphins is actually allowed, I don't see why anyone would want to be a part of that. They really don't need to use such cruel methods when hunting the dolphins either. I hope more people hear about this and help to put an end to it.
Alyssa Ruml
4/14/2015 08:02:42 am
I think that this is pretty horrific, but I'm honestly not too surprised that people are going out and doing this. People may think, "Wow, what would drive a person to do such a thing?" and the answer is money. People will do anything for money; money basically owns us. It is absolutely sickening that they're okay with doing this though! My boss is a Japanese native and he himself is sickened and ashamed by this cruel act. These citizens murdering dolphins defiantly go home and feel extremely guiltily about themselves, how can't you? They see a dolphin as just another useless fish in the sea, they see it as food, not as an extremely intelligent animal that deserves to live. Dolphin's are barely ever eaten because of the mercury level in their bodies, so dolphin hunting is honestly useless. They are torturing innocent creatures, forcing them into their eerie killing coves. I honestly am not sure if there is anything we can actually do to end this practice, the Japanese seemed pretty stubborn about this issue. These hunters continue to do what they do because they are extremely selfish, and are not willing to give up money over saving a life. Leave a Reply. |
