Activists Protest Dolphin Hunts in Taiji, Japan
- 14 years ago
International animal rights activists gathered at the town of Taiji in Japan to protest against dolphin hunting. The town is known as a whaling centre and was made famous by the Academy Award winning documentary "The Cove".
On Tuesday several activist groups gathered in the Japanese prefecture of Wakayama to protest against dolphin hunting by Japanese fishermen.
Western activists have been monitoring the fishermen's movements since the dolphin hunt season started in September.
In a report dated October 11 on its website, activist group Sea Shepherd said they witnessed the second slaughter of dolphins in Taiji this season. They also said 14 dolphins were killed while another six-- mothers and calves -- were spared, at least temporarily.
Japanese broadcaster TBS, however, said the town's first hunt this month was on Tuesday and did not mention how many dolphins were involved.
TBS reported that police were also present to prevent the protests from turning violent.
[Steve Thompson, Taiji Dolphin Action Group]:
"Today. No fishing. There is a baby dolphin, a pregnant dolphin. If you take them that is wrong."
Taiji shot to fame thanks to the Oscar-winning documentary "The Cove". It followed eco-activists struggling with Japanese police and fishermen to gain access to a secluded cove in Taiji.
Japan has long maintained that killing dolphins is not banned under any international treaty, and the creatures are not endangered. They say dolphins need to be culled to protect their fishing grounds.
On Tuesday several activist groups gathered in the Japanese prefecture of Wakayama to protest against dolphin hunting by Japanese fishermen.
Western activists have been monitoring the fishermen's movements since the dolphin hunt season started in September.
In a report dated October 11 on its website, activist group Sea Shepherd said they witnessed the second slaughter of dolphins in Taiji this season. They also said 14 dolphins were killed while another six-- mothers and calves -- were spared, at least temporarily.
Japanese broadcaster TBS, however, said the town's first hunt this month was on Tuesday and did not mention how many dolphins were involved.
TBS reported that police were also present to prevent the protests from turning violent.
[Steve Thompson, Taiji Dolphin Action Group]:
"Today. No fishing. There is a baby dolphin, a pregnant dolphin. If you take them that is wrong."
Taiji shot to fame thanks to the Oscar-winning documentary "The Cove". It followed eco-activists struggling with Japanese police and fishermen to gain access to a secluded cove in Taiji.
Japan has long maintained that killing dolphins is not banned under any international treaty, and the creatures are not endangered. They say dolphins need to be culled to protect their fishing grounds.