In a new bulletin released by Ric O'Barry and Save Japan Dolphins on January 29, 2011, dolphin activists are decrying Taiji fishermen's claims of humane dolphin kills as "lies." New video captured by Save Japan Dolphins volunteer Leah Lemieux, shows that the brutality continues and is perhaps, even worse than ever.
The dolphin documentary that sparked a war
The battleground between activist and dolphin hunter has been heating up since the 2009 release of The Cove, a documentary that shone the spotlight on a 400-year tradition of dolphin roundup and killing in the tiny fishing village of Taiji, Japan. Since the release of the movie, Save Japan Dolphins and The Earth Island Institute, Earthisland.org, have made great strides towards highlighting the brutality of dolphins and the dangers of mercury-contaminated meat to the Japanese people. And Taiji fishermen don't like it.
The movie's release saw the annual dolphin hunt in Taiji come under increasing pressure worldwide and even remarkably from within its own country. Japanese media who once refused to cover anything connected to Japan's dolphin hunting, have been lifting the media blackout slowly but surely. And on Save Japan Dolphin Day which took place on Oct. 14, 2010, Japanese citizen, Kyoko Tanaka handed in a petition containing 163 signatures to the Japan Fisheries Agency, which remarkably showed names from the Wakayama region, which includes the town of Taiji.
Taiji fishermen are fighting back
Forced into the spotlight, Taiji fishermen have gone on the offensive. Initially Taiji's mayor, Kazutaka Sangen attempted to placate Ric O'Barry and offered a public meeting on Nov. 02, 2010 at the Taiji Community Center. According to O'Barry, director for Save Japan Dolphins and author of Behind the Dolphin Smile (2010), the entire affair was a sham as the Mayor placed heavy restrictions on the media, including the right of reporters to ask questions considered unwelcome.
O'Barry walked out of the meeting and announced that he would forthwith hold one of his own at Taiji cove, where all questions would be welcomed. Since this event, tensions have escalated and Taiji fishermen in an effort to avoid being captured on film, have been driving the dolphins under tarps where the actual kill of the dolphin is blocked from public viewing. The fishermen were backed by the Japanese Fisheries Agency who claimed that they had developed a more humane way of dispatching the dolphins that was considered an "instant kill."
Video footage "worse than the documentary," says O'Barry
New footage released on Jan. 29, 2011 in a bulletin by Save Japan Dolphins.org allegedly disputes this claim. Captured by volunteer Leah Lemieux on location in Taiji, this new method of killing was filmed after a tarp surrounding the fishermen and dolphins, fell away. It is far from "instant" says Ric O'Barry. What it shows he adds is "Worse than what was shown in The Cove."
The video itself it almost unbearable to watch as fishermen appear to stab the dolphin behind its blowhole. As dolphins thrash in agony surrounded in their own blood, other dolphins scream and attempt to escape by throwing themselves onto the rocky shoreline. "We're translating this and releasing it in Japan," says O'Barry, "It's essential that the Japanese people get a complete and accurate picture of what's happening."
The disturbing video, recorded on Jan. 18, 2011, is available at YouTube.com. Viewer discretion is advised. Recently, Save Japan Dolphins.org received support from several celebrities including Sting who met with O'Barry whilst on tour in Japan, and also from Jennifer Aniston who appeared with several other stars in a new public service announcement for The Cove, also posted at YouTube.com.
Elizabeth Batt - Elizabeth Batt is a former large animal nurse, certified NREMT, lover of equines and conservationist.
Join the Conversation