Taiji Shock: 40 Pilot Whales Killed, 60 More Await the Butcher’s Knife
Seventeen days into the start of Taiji, Japan’s annual dolphin slaughter, activists around the world are learning they should never underestimate the will and determination of paid, professional killers.
On Saturday, up to 40 pilot whales were slaughtered in the deadly inlet, reports Sakura, the first Japanese national Cove Monitor for Save Japan Dolphins.
An additional 50 to 60 pilot whales remain trapped by nets in the narrow passage of water, where they will most likely be slaughtered today (September 17).
MORE: Ending Taiji, Japan's Dolphin Hunt: How to Become a Cove Monitor
The mercury-laden dolphin meat was quickly chopped up and put onto crates, which were purchased by “Taiji local buyers from the Fisherman’s Union and transferred by trucks to local markets for processing,” reports Sea Shepherd.
Saturday’s killings come exactly one week after 23 other pilot whales were slain on September 8 for their mercury-tainted meat.
As depicted in the Oscar-winning documentary The Cove, Taiji fishermen lure thousands of dolphins into the shallows of the cove and separate out the ones deemed worthy of selling to an aquarium. The rest are harpooned and slaughtered for their mercury-poisoned meat, which is sold to supermarkets. Local officials and fishermen vehemently defend the 50-year-old drive hunt. The dolphins killed in the cove each year are part of the country’s 20,000-dolphin quota.
If you firmly believe that Japan should outlaw the killing of dolphins, make the case in our comment section below.
Related stories on TakePart:
• Taiji Dolphin Drive Hunt 2012: Follow the Tragedy on Twitter
• Taiji: The Captive Connection
• Mercury Poisoning From Dolphin Meat Remains a Major Concern for 'Cove' Activists
An Angelino by way of Wilkes-Barre, PA, Sal holds a Political Science degree from George Washington University. Though he began his career in sports, he's written about all things environment since 2007. @SalCardoni | Email Sal | TakePart.com
