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Japan commence dolphin hunting season early
This year, with special dispensation from the government's Fisheries Agency
in Tokyo, those conducting the Isana Union's Oikomi (drive fisheries) were
allowed to begin their killings on Sept. 1 - a month earlier than normal -
and to continue as usual until March 31. It means more money in the bank for
those in Taiji who do their worst with lances and long-bladed knives. More
money, too, for those involved in the subsequent butchering, packing and
retailing of the toxic dolphin meat that far exceeds Japan's legal levels of
mercury concentration.
But why should those Taiji killers care? This year the official annual quota
has been upped by 88 animals, to a total of 2,468. The creatures' meat is
even included in school meals, and though the government knows full well it
is toxic - up to 87 times the permitted level of methyl mercury was found in
a joint Japanese/New Zealand 2005 academic study of samples bought from
shops (see JT, Nov.1, 2006) - it seems it will do nothing now, perhaps
preferring some scapegoating and deep bowing when awful human afflictions
arise in the future. And as for Japan's meek vernacular media, well don't
wait for them to raise a stink.
 The photo here was taken by Nigel Barker, a longtime Australian resident
of Taiji, who said he was attacked by a supporter of the Isana Union who
tried to grab his camera. Undeterred, he managed to capture these images of
five bottlenose dolphins awaiting butchering on the dock at Taiji harbor on
Sept. 14, and a truckload of backbones from pilot whales that a few hours
earlier had been swimming in the "killing cove," into which they were driven
from the open sea.
According to eyewitness accounts, to date this year, the killing - which is
conducted in a national park - has accounted for 95 cetaceans, comprising 45
Rissos dolphins, 18 bottlenose dolphins and 32 pilot whales, one of the
largest dolphin species. Five other dolphins were reportedly selected for
lucrative sale as show performers. But there is still time for an awful lot
more toxic bloodletting before this extended season ends in March 2008.
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