The hunt for Taiji dolphins has begun as fishermen head out throughout Japan to catch dolphins to eat and eventually pass on for amusement; the yearly hunt has ignited further outrage.
As specified in a Daily Star report, a mass dolphin hunt seeing hundreds of species drawn into shallow waters as part of a killing spree has kicked off.
Outrage after sea turns red in mass dolphin hunt as hundreds lured into shallow watershttps://t.co/UngqgHABc3 pic.twitter.com/GOtN97fKyA
— STEFAN (@nevadaknight67) September 1, 2022
Activists have marched over to the Japanese Embassy in Manila, the Philippines, to present the brutal attacks that turn the sea red.
The hunt for Taiji dolphins hit the headlines after the film "The Cove" exposed the fatal practice of catching dolphins for entertainment and human consumption.
Hundreds of Animals Slaughtered, Sold to Aquariums
Harrowing footage was watched worldwide and showed hundreds of animals being knifed. This annual pursuit is seeing fishermen chase pods of dolphins by banging metal poles against their boats for them to get confused.
The said animals are either slaughtered or sold to aquariums and attractions. Even though the hunts are performed across Japan, Taiji is specifically known since fishermen can catch entire pods, which has a major effect on the population.
In a previous media report, Taiji's fisheries cooperative's Yoshifumi Kai said they've mostly stayed silent since The Cove, which was also reported on the BBC News site, and that's why their point of view was never "put across in the media."
He added that according to activists, they hide something as they know what they're doing is immortal, "but that's nonsense."
Kai also said, "You never see cattle or other animals" being knifed in public. It's an act people don't do out in the open.
Japan Authorities' Defense for the 6-Month Hunt
Authorities in Japan have continuously defended the six-month hunt and explained that the practice enabled the community to thrive, a similar Metro report said.
Mayor Kazutaka Sangen said before that foreign activists ask why these "cute animals" are being killed, although they're seen as an important food source, even at present.
The mayor also said when he was a young boy, a third of the town would turn out to greet a whale being taken back to shore since they were desperate to consume meat. He added, "We are grateful to the whales," and they want Westerners to understand that.
'Quota' for Hunters
According to Al Jazeera, in 2000, as many as 2,077 dolphins were captured by fishermen. Approximately 1,700 were caught on average in a single season, although the amount has since decreased.
An investigation performed by The Dolphin Project showed that more than 560 dolphins were captured in Taiji during the 2021 to 2022 season.
According to the study, 498 of its animals got killed for meat, while more than 60 were sold in aquariums. The dolphin hunt event commenced on September 1 and usually ended on March 1 the following year. This yearly "Government Quota" for hunters to meet is listed at 1,849.
Related report about the Taiji dolphin hunt is shown on 60 Minute Australia's YouTube video below:
Check out more news and information on Dolphins in Science Times.
