4 August 2012

Japan Dolphins Day comes to Canberra

| johnboy
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poster

I’ve had this in which may be of interest to some of you:

On August 31, 2012 rallies and peaceful protests will be held in over 70 locations worldwide to protest the September 1st start of the annual Taiji dolphin cull as seen in the Academy-award winning documentary The Cove. I am helping organise the Canberra event which will be happening on Friday, the 31st of August from 4 to 5:30 pm at the Japanese Embassy in Canberra.

Japan Dolphins Day was founded by Ric O’Barry and Save Japan Dolphins (SJD). We are honoured to again be working with SJD & an international team of organisations & activists to help make the 2012 Japan Dolphins Day the biggest & best global event ever to raise awareness about the plight of dolphins in Taiji.

Last year over 700 dolphins were killed on the Taiji coast as they migrated through the region as part of their normal migration route. This is in addition to the tens of thousands of dolphins and small whales that are killed at sea by Japanese fishermen under licences from their government.

As well as an animal welfare concern, Japanese dolphin hunting is a very serious public health issue with annual mortality rates in Taiji and other Japanese coastal towns (where dolphin meat is consumed regularly) up to double what they are elsewhere.

If possible, we would be thrilled if you would help us promote the Canberra event! The event organisers as well as local award winning oceans photographer, Pamela Martin, would be happy to be interviewed if you think it might make for a nice article in the lead up to the event.

For more information feel free to check out the below links which provide some information about the cause. Feel free, also, to contact me by email or phone with any questions you may have:

katrina.seivers@bigpond.com or 0410129481

The event Facebook page can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/events/300905906671614/307204649375073/?notif_t=plan_mall_activity

A ‘frequently asked questions’ website about Japanese dolphin hunting can be found here: http://savejapandolphins.org/take-action/frequently-asked-questions

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Mmm, that’s all just orcal.

I think the point is that dolphins possess intelligence and that there is no real reason for slaughtering them for food.

Which would suggest that killing dolphins for food, like whaling, is just an outdated cultural norm that should be discarded.

No, it doesn’t suggest that at all. People like you suggest that. You might not see a “real reason” for doing something, but that doesn’t mean you’re right.

heatherbunnie said :

The only people who seem to care about whether these animals are harmed, tortured and killed are vegetarians vegans and humanitarians.

An interesting set, to be sure.

heatherbunnie said :

Which makes me wonder why carnivores are so very heartless, cruel and uncaring when it comes to the suffering of innocent animals.

Funny, dolphins are carnivores. Humans aren’t.

heatherbunnie said :

When a pod of dolphins is killed in the Cove of Taiji, that means whole generations die, not just a few wandering dolphins! In response to Mobrock, comment #8, Of course they can’t kill the entire pod over again. Dead is Dead! However, each and every day, entire new pods migrate along the coastal waters not knowing what is in store for them at the hand of the Taiji Dolphin Killers. Each pod is a family of generations of animals who very much love their babies, mothers, sisters, and fellow male dolphins. Risso dolphins are NOTsustainable. There are other dolphins who are endangered who wander into the Cove trap. The only people who seem to care about whether these animals are harmed, tortured and killed are vegetarians vegans and humanitarians. Which makes me wonder why carnivores are so very heartless, cruel and uncaring when it comes to the suffering of innocent animals. What will it take to wake up the blood thirsty citizens of this planet, before their stupidity and their blood lust destroys this planet.

Simple. Station observers and ensure only non-endangered animals are harvested. The rest get released.

Your attempt at anthropomorphism is extremely transparent , but it is your final two sentences which show the true agenda here.

heatherbunnie said :

However, each and every day, entire new pods migrate along the coastal waters not knowing what is in store for them at the hand of the Taiji Dolphin Killers. .

Not so clever really then, are they?

And don’t they smell awfully fishy as well?

thebattwoman1:11 pm 06 Aug 12

Jivrashia said :

thebattwoman said :

you call me stupid?

I’m sorry, was I too subtle?

thebattwoman said :

I find it ironic

It’s called pot calling the kettle black.

thebattwoman said :

I don’t believe I preached

thebattwoman said :

Sad.

At least that’s something we can agree on.

Ever thought that readers will make their own interpretation?

Well, yes I had hoped, but apparently debating the facts is beyond you. With that said, I’m off to crack a beer. Cheers mate, for the lively, if dense conservation.

thebattwoman said :

you call me stupid?

I’m sorry, was I too subtle?

thebattwoman said :

I find it ironic

It’s called pot calling the kettle black.

thebattwoman said :

I don’t believe I preached

Ever thought that readers will make their own interpretation?

thebattwoman said :

Sad.

At least that’s something we can agree on.

VYBerlinaV8_is_back12:29 pm 06 Aug 12

heatherbunnie said :

When a pod of dolphins is killed in the Cove of Taiji, that means whole generations die, not just a few wandering dolphins! In response to Mobrock, comment #8, Of course they can’t kill the entire pod over again. Dead is Dead! However, each and every day, entire new pods migrate along the coastal waters not knowing what is in store for them at the hand of the Taiji Dolphin Killers. Each pod is a family of generations of animals who very much love their babies, mothers, sisters, and fellow male dolphins. Risso dolphins are NOTsustainable. There are other dolphins who are endangered who wander into the Cove trap. The only people who seem to care about whether these animals are harmed, tortured and killed are vegetarians vegans and humanitarians. Which makes me wonder why carnivores are so very heartless, cruel and uncaring when it comes to the suffering of innocent animals. What will it take to wake up the blood thirsty citizens of this planet, before their stupidity and their blood lust destroys this planet.

Cool story, bro.

thebattwoman12:22 pm 06 Aug 12

Jivrashia said :

thebattwoman said :

You just made my point. Perhaps I should have said, with more intelligence than humans in some cases.

I admire that you have excellent skills in trolling on the net,
to feign stupidity by associating the appropriateness of a kill with the level of intelligence of the mammal being hunted, even though the perception of intelligence is limited by our own, and the most limited go around preaching their limited understanding on the net.

Again, good job miss. Well done.

I find it ironic that none of your statement in anyway mentions the stats provided or the numerous studies that have been undertaken into dolphin intelligence/methyl mercury poisoning and you call me stupid?

I don’t believe I preached, I merely presented a point of view that you obviously disagree with and can only return with insults to answer. I think we know who intelligence is limited when all you have produced is words and insults. Sad.

thebattwoman said :

You just made my point. Perhaps I should have said, with more intelligence than humans in some cases.

I admire that you have excellent skills in trolling on the net,
to feign stupidity by associating the appropriateness of a kill with the level of intelligence of the mammal being hunted, even though the perception of intelligence is limited by our own, and the most limited go around preaching their limited understanding on the net.

Again, good job miss. Well done.

heatherbunnie12:05 pm 06 Aug 12

When a pod of dolphins is killed in the Cove of Taiji, that means whole generations die, not just a few wandering dolphins! In response to Mobrock, comment #8, Of course they can’t kill the entire pod over again. Dead is Dead! However, each and every day, entire new pods migrate along the coastal waters not knowing what is in store for them at the hand of the Taiji Dolphin Killers. Each pod is a family of generations of animals who very much love their babies, mothers, sisters, and fellow male dolphins. Risso dolphins are NOTsustainable. There are other dolphins who are endangered who wander into the Cove trap. The only people who seem to care about whether these animals are harmed, tortured and killed are vegetarians vegans and humanitarians. Which makes me wonder why carnivores are so very heartless, cruel and uncaring when it comes to the suffering of innocent animals. What will it take to wake up the blood thirsty citizens of this planet, before their stupidity and their blood lust destroys this planet.

thebattwoman11:57 am 06 Aug 12

Jivrashia said :

thebattwoman said :

which for marine mammals with such high intelligence, is brutal and horrific.

I give you 10/10 for this troll.

You just made my point. Perhaps I should have said, with more intelligence than humans in some cases.

thebattwoman said :

which for marine mammals with such high intelligence, is brutal and horrific.

I give you 10/10 for this troll.

thebattwoman11:53 am 06 Aug 12

bigfeet said :

NO_H8 said :

bigfeet said :

this seems to be a perfectly sustainable harvest.

There are also enough humans on this planet to have a sustainable harvest that doesent give us the right to kill them

That is a stupid analogy.

The vast majority of people believe that it is perfectly acceptable to eat animals and use animal products.

This particular non-endangered animal is being harvested at levels which will have no impact on the species.

Yourr equating Humans and Animals as being the same shows what the ultimate agenda really is.

It isn’t a simple case of sustainability as I tried to highlight above with some stats and logic. Even if you don’t share any affinity for the plight of the dolphins, what of the Japanese people, who are raised not to question their government? It’s precisely because of business/government that the tragedy of Minnemata occurred with the methyl mercury poisoning that took place in 1956. People are still paying for that today and still awaiting compensation from the Japanese government. Many are in horrendous shape.

NO_H8 said :

bigfeet said :

this seems to be a perfectly sustainable harvest.

There are also enough humans on this planet to have a sustainable harvest that doesent give us the right to kill them

That is a stupid analogy.

The vast majority of people believe that it is perfectly acceptable to eat animals and use animal products.

This particular non-endangered animal is being harvested at levels which will have no impact on the species.

Yourr equating Humans and Animals as being the same shows what the ultimate agenda really is.

bigfeet said :

this seems to be a perfectly sustainable harvest.

There are also enough humans on this planet to have a sustainable harvest that doesent give us the right to kill them

thebattwoman10:58 am 06 Aug 12

According to Japan-based Elsa Nature Conservancy, who do not support the hunt in their own country, between 2000 and 2010, 15,454 dolphins have been caught in the drive hunts off the coast of Taiji. This figure included 4,936 striped dolphin, 4,326 bottlenose dolphin, 1,450 spotted, 3,207 Risso’s, 1,366 short-finned pilot whales, 83 false killer whales and 86 Pacific white-sided dolphins.

But it isn’t just about the dolphin killing, and whether they’re endangered or not. Sakae Hemmi of Elsa in Japan tests the dolphin meat sold in stores, and it is returning highly toxic for mercury and PCBs. Because dolphins/whales are large mammals, they accumulate higher elevations of toxin. Despite this, Hemmi says that the Japanese government, despite tests to the contrary conducted by several entities within their own country, insist the meat is safe to consume. At one point, they served it as a mandatory meal in school lunches. It was only after awareness was raised (such as via the event above), that a Japanese city mayor ordered it removed.

Of course then you have the issue of how the dolphins are killed, which for marine mammals with such high intelligence, is brutal and horrific. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3394803/Dolphin-bloodbath-exposed.html

VYBerlinaV8_is_back10:52 am 06 Aug 12

dtc said :

“annual mortality rates in Taiji and other Japanese coastal towns (where dolphin meat is consumed regularly) up to double what they are elsewhere”

This statement doesnt make sense. Mortality rate of what?

The people who live there. The dolphins don their landsuits and slink through the night, wraith-like, to select and silently bear their victims away to a watery grave.

mobrock said :

Great that Canberra is taking part in a worldwide effort to stop the killing of entire pods of dolphins, day after day, over a six-month period.

After the first day, they can’t really kill the entire pod again, can they?

mobrock said :

Great that Canberra is taking part in a worldwide effort to stop the killing of entire pods of dolphins, day after day, over a six-month period. The driving of dolphins is accomplished by means of loud noise by multiple boats, driving them into a small cove from which the dolphins cannot escape.

Is that supposed to make it worse than any other form of hunting?

Great that Canberra is taking part in a worldwide effort to stop the killing of entire pods of dolphins, day after day, over a six-month period. The driving of dolphins is accomplished by means of loud noise by multiple boats, driving them into a small cove from which the dolphins cannot escape.

There are certainly many issues that merit our attention, but to those who don’t understand dolphin drive hunts or dolphin captivity, you might want to watch the movie The Cove or A Fall from Freedom, the latter of which you can stream live for free at http://afallfromfreedom.org/

urchin said :

i’m confused… how is this any different from fishing/hunting/killing any other animal for human consumption? given that a very large segment of australia’s economy is comprised of raising animals for slaughter (and–oh the irony–exporting them to japan…) doesn’t this seem just a little bit hypocritical?

Thank God this thread started out with some common sense. I am getting a little tired of people in this country (although not exclusively this one) thinking they have a right demand other sovereign nations behave how we want them to.

“annual mortality rates in Taiji and other Japanese coastal towns (where dolphin meat is consumed regularly) up to double what they are elsewhere”

This statement doesnt make sense. Mortality rate of what?

I also look forward to the greenpeace protest against the annual tailor slaughter on Fraser Island

The conservation status of most types of dolphin are listed as ‘least concern’ by The International Union for Conservation of Nature, the worldwide recognized body for conservation listing.

Also in this category are such animals as pigeons, cane toads and eastern grey kangaroos.

Provided it is these types, and not a more endangered type, that is being hunted, then, on the face of it, this seems to be a perfectly sustainable harvest.

urchin said :

doesn’t this seem just a little bit hypocritical?

I believe you have lost the plot.
Intelligent mammals should be protected.

As we work our way through scientific intelligence assessment of all the other mammals we will soon determine, for example, that sheep, cows, and pigs are intelligent and no longer suitable to be on our plate.

Watch this space as we systematically label every being as intelligent, even parasites, and Greenpeace activist, and are no longer worthy to be slaughter.

i’m confused… how is this any different from fishing/hunting/killing any other animal for human consumption? given that a very large segment of australia’s economy is comprised of raising animals for slaughter (and–oh the irony–exporting them to japan…) doesn’t this seem just a little bit hypocritical?

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