The Japanese dolphin hunting season runs from October to April. Every year, Japanese fishermen kill an estimated 20,000 dolphins. Referring to the killings as "pest control" -- because the dolphins eat too many fish -- the dolphins are slaughtered brutally. After driving pods of dolphins into shallow coves, the fishermen slash the throats of dolphins or stab them with spears. Thrashing about, the dolphins take as long as six minutes to die. Today -- Wednesday, September 20th, 2006 -- is Japan Dolphin Day, an "international day of protest...to urge the Japanese authorities to ban the slaughter of dolphins."
Earth Island encourages people around the world to take a stand -- either by peacefully protesting before Japan embassies in the US or around the world; writing the embassies; telephoning; or even emailing the Japanese government, requesting that the practice cease.
[Via Wetpixel]
1. This has often puzzled me to why Japan continues its whaling practices. Especially seeing that they considerer themselves on the forefront of environmental conservation with very efficient natural resource use rules. I wonder if we could trade them, the United States signs the Kyoto Accord and Japan gives up its Whaling?
Posted at 1:29PM on Sep 20th 2006 by marclyng