The Cove just released on DVD this week and after watching it I wondered if the slaughter in Taiji, Japan’s killing cove had resumed. I had heard that opening day of the massacre had been put on hold by a hoard of journalists who arrived on the shores of Taiji ready to record the whole bloody and inhumane spectacle. 

But three months into the annual dolphin slaughter season had the media pressure finally let up?  Would the fisherman of Taiji return to their brutal livelihood?

The answer appears to be Yes and No. The Taiji fishermen, so far, have not killed any small dolphins for meat.  They did, however, heard about 100 dolphins into the cove, sell 30 into captivity and then released the other 70.  They have killed pilot whale and other related species.

The people of Japan still have mercury tainted dolphin and whale meat in their groceries and it’s being fed to children in school lunches.  Fortunately, Japan’s new Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Food Safety, Ms. Mizuho Fukushima, has promised to look into the issue. 

You can encourage her by signing a petition on www.savejapandolphins.org. SaveJapandolphins.org also posts regular updates on dolphin and whale saving campaigns and the success of Taiji “non-slaughter” policy.  Taiji might eventually follow the path of Futo, Japan, a former whaling village, which has started offering dolphin tours and has seen considerable economic success from increased tourism.

As far as media pressure letting up it hasn’t yet but will eventually fade. As mentioned earlier “The Cove” just released to video, which hopefully will prompt a whole new wave of letters to the Japanese authorities. Ric O’Barry, the activist who worked for years to bring the Taiji slaughter to international attention and stars in the documentary, appeared on Larry King Live on Nov. 30^th and was given the ASPCA’s Humane Award in October.

“The Cove” itself seems primed to take one of the Best Documentary nominations at this years Academy Awards. But my favorite tribute to the movie came from the glorious misfits of South Park who wrote a hilarious episode entitled “Whale Whores” which aired on October 28^th.

When the final award is given out and the attention goes to the next cause du jour hopefully the humane change in Taiji, Japan and the rest of the world will be permanent. Fingers crossed.

More cool stuff on Celsias:

Dolphin Documentary Halts Annual Hunt

Is There Intelligent Life on Earth?

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