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Tuesday, January 28, 2014

The scandal of Japanese slaughter of dolphins, porpoises and whales

I have just tabled the following statement of opinion in the Welsh Assembly:

This Assembly: Notes concerns by Welsh environmentalists at the recent slaughter of over 40 wild dolphins in Taiji, Japan; the capture of a further 52 dolphins for sale to aquariums and other customers including a rare albino dolphin calf, separated from its mother and kept in captivity in Taiji Whale Museum; Expresses alarm that the Japanese Government has issued quotas for the killing of over 20,000 dolphins, whales and porpoises in its coastal waters every year, despite the International Whaling Commission’s moratorium on commercial whaling; and Calls on the Welsh Government to condemn these practices to the Japanese Government.

More information can be found here. The article says that each year, people kill about 22,000 dolphins and porpoises in Japan's waters:

In a town called Taiji, every year they catch and kill several hundred bottlenose, striped, and Risso's dolphins, Dall's porpoises and pilot whales. (The Arctic's Faroe Islands also stages an annual pilot whale drive-slaughter for food, which has the side effect of providing the residents with high doses of mercury.)

What is most disturbing is the method of killing the dolphins:

Until recently, hunters speared and stabbed the dolphins to death after driving them onto the shoreline.

Protesters march to the Japanese Embassy in Manila, Philippines, on September 2, 2013, to decry dolphin and small whales hunt in Taiji.

The new method is supposed to reduce time-to-death. As such, it's bogus. On paper, the new method involves destroying the spinal cord with repeated insertion of a metal rod. Even on paper, the "new killing method" makes no attempt to damage the brain, which would at least end consciousness.

In practice, the hunters splash around through the bloody water wielding their knives among the fully conscious, thrashing, squealing dolphins who have been trapped in the shallows and are being executed among their family and friends. Meanwhile, the humans have a very hard time getting into the spine.

Several veterinarians and behavioral scientists who watched a covertly recorded video wrote, "This killing method . ... would not be tolerated or permitted in any regulated slaughterhouse process in the developed world."

That includes Japan, oddly enough.

The Statement of Opinion should be available on the Assembly's website tomorrow. If you are able please urge your Assembly Member to sign it. There is also an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons that MPs can sign.

Update: there is more information about how you can join the campaign to save these dolphins here
Comments:
Thank you for raising the issue of the terrible suffering of dolphins within Japan. I truly hope the Welch government take some action.
Best wishes
 
I sincerely hope that the Welsh government passes this message on to the Japanese government. This surely must stop as it not only makes Japan look horrendous on the international stage, but simply because it is a out-of-date practice of medieval barbarism.
 
Thank you people of the world cry real tears and are very distressed about this matter. We feel helpless. Please keep the pressure on and help end captivity too.
 
Thank you so much! Is there anyway that this could be taken to Westminster?
 
It has already been taken up in Westminster. Nick Harvey MP has tabled an motion there. Lobby your MP to sign it.
 
Thank you for speaking up.
 
Thank you for speaking up Peter - the world is watching Taiji and Wales can be part of making that difference!

I've tweeted my AM to ask him to sign.


 
Respect! A great move from a great man! Keep up the good work!
 
Thank you! The dolphins also Thank You!
 
Well said Mr Black. I hope we can show that Wales cares. I'll be contacting my AM too.
 
Thank you Peter Black

 
Sickening to think of a so called civilised society who lie about "Whale Research" then poison themselves by eating dolphin meat labelled as Tuna. Whilst in Japan I was given a so called Tuna steak and it tasted awful, then one of my colleagues pointed out that is was 99% certainly Dolphin meat. I feel sick now even thinking of it. What is it going to take for this so called civilised nation to end their barbaric slaughter of intelligent life.
 
Thank you, thank you Peter Black. We have been fighting this atrocity since the 1970's in that period hundreds of thousands of dolphins have been brutally murdered, others taken into a life time of captivity.
Peter your courage in speaking out must be applauded. Show Japan that Wales knows the difference between humanity and savagery.

 
thank you! Please help all you can to save these precious dolphins
 
Thank you Peter Black for using your voice to raise the issue of Taiji. It's now abundantly clear that these "drive hunts" are barbaric and should have no place in a civilised progressive society. It is our problem as we share this planet and its oceans.
 
thank you for this . japan props up whaling with tax payers money , dolphin meat can be toxic up to 2000 ppm of murcruy (safe is about 0.4 ppm)and pays countrys to sit on the iwc , to vote for japan ,
 
Thank you Peter. I am delighted this distressing and deeply disturbing issue is being raised. I implore you to do all you can to bring an end to this barbaric slaughter of our beautiful cetaceans. I have cried and had sleepless nights dwelling on their plight and am shocked that I only found out about Taiji a mere 11 days ago. Worldwide condemnation of Japan must continue until the Taiji so called fishermen are stopped in their tracks. No more killing!
 
Thank you Peter. I am delighted this distressing and deeply disturbing issue is being raised. I implore you to do all you can to bring an end to this barbaric slaughter of our beautiful cetaceans. I have cried and had sleepless nights dwelling on their plight and am shocked that I only found out about Taiji a mere 11 days ago. Worldwide condemnation of Japan must continue until the Taiji so called fishermen are stopped in their tracks. No more killing!
 
This comment has been removed by the author.
 
Bravo!
 
Thank you for speaking out, we need other leaders to do the same!
 
Many, many thanks. As others here have commented, the general population feels powerless. We rely on those in public positions to move forward toward a better world by working to end what is no longer viable economically, environmentally, nor ethically.
 
Thank you so much ! Hope some "députés" in France will get involved as you do.

 
Thank you so much ! Hope some "députés" in France will get involved as you do.

 
Thank you, thank you, thank you !
 
Thank you for speaking out for the dolphins at Taiji. Hopefully more MPs will be as brave as you and join the campaign to stop the slaughter.
 
Thank you....respect!
 
100% with you on this, its sick and barbaric to say the least and it needs combating
 
Thank you so much. Finally, it appears that people with some clout are beginning to hear/listen. May others follow in your footsteps. Thank you again.
 
Thank you for your support. Dolphins belong to future generations not greedy fishermen.
 
Thank you for standing up against this barbaric practice. I have emailed all of my regional and constituency assembly members and drawn attention to your statement, which I have urged them to sign.
 
Thank you so much for standing up for the voiceless. We all appreciate your efforts.
 
Peter,

Thanks. I wrote to the Japanese embassy and will writ to my local MP in Bristol.

John

 
Thank You Peter for what you have said regarding the tragic situation in the killing of Dolphins in Taiji Japan, it's horrific to see the Dolphins suffering in such a barbaric way and so unnecessary, hope they listen to you, all best wishes to you.
Frances Wood
Essex
England
 
Thank you for standing up for these innocent creatures! I have emailed my local MP
 
I despise them. Japan is a blot on the world map. I know our good environmentalists want people not to blame their citizenry, but let's get to that point sooner - they are not enough against it, and THEY are the consumers....along with anyone going to see captive dolphins.
 
Dear Peter: Thank you so very much for speaking up regarding the atrocities occurring daily in The Cove in Taiji, Japan. These slaughters are so cruel, barbaric, brutal and inhumane to say the least. Just yesterday, a dolphin had it's back pithed, and it swam out to the nets and tried so very hard to escape, while bleeding profusely from it's back. There is nothing humane about any of this. This slaughter is all about money, as some dolphins are taken captive and are then sold to marine parks around the world. If they are not taken captive, their meat is sold, and it contains high levels of mercury and other toxins. I hope and pray that this slaughter will end during my lifetime. Thank you so very much for speaking up Mr. Black !!!
 
Thank you, this is amazing to see someone is standing up for the voice of the people
 
Mr Black I commend you for raising this issue. I have been following Sea Shepherd Cove Guardians in Tajii for the last 2 years and the killing is immoral, cruel, unnecessary and involve acts that are inexcusable today. It is regarded as legal fishing, but these creatures are not fish. They are highly intelligent, sentient beings that are forced to suffer traumas such as separation, pain and death in order for the Japanese to fulfil their so called tradition, that is of course by now in this civilised world outdated. The capture of dolphins for sale is motivated by greed. We do not need to take our children to places such as Seaworld to watch these precious being perform like slaves. I wish you luck with this motion because it is truly barbaric and unacceptable.
 
Your leadership is genuinely appreciated. You are a model many American politicians we hope one day emulate. From my network of friends and family in the United States we are proud of your making this important declaration to the Australian government.

An additional note. Many of my friends and family join me in being very concerned that laws were passed to cull sharks from tourist-prone areas. We encourage you to remove this law from the books and develop practices that help warn tourists and residents of the presence of sharks in waters where they are swimming, surfing or playing. We have the technology that will help save the lives of these precious animals... and the humans too :)


 
Your leadership is genuinely appreciated. You are a model many American politicians we hope one day emulate. From my network of friends and family in the United States we are proud of your making this important declaration to the Australian government.

An additional note. Many of my friends and family join me in being very concerned that laws were passed to cull sharks from tourist-prone areas. We encourage you to remove this law from the books and develop practices that help warn tourists and residents of the presence of sharks in waters where they are swimming, surfing or playing. We have the technology that will help save the lives of these precious animals... and the humans too :)


 
Thank you Peter for raising the horror that is happening on a daily basis from Sept.1 - March 1 annually in Taiji. Hopefully the Welsh Government will press for an end to this barbaric boodbath.
 
Thank you for doing the right thing
 
This has to stop right now! It is a violation towards life itself! The greed has now lost all sence and ethical moral. I stand up for this Dolphins and will not even eat Suschi any more! Anna-Lill Johansson, Stockholm, Sweden
 
This has to stop rihgt now. It is a violation towards life itself and all the love that this animals deserve. We will in a few years time be very ashamed about what is taking place now.

Sincerely, Anna-Lill Johansson, Stockholm Sweden
 
Sir I applaud your stance in this matter, I feel it is going to take many loud voices and much pressure on the Japanese to stop this barbaric slaughter. I have recently started a uk gov petition on this matter in order to raise awareness and hopefully get the matter debated in uk parliament. Please anyone can support this by signing the petition at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/59524 then please share it where ever you can. There is also a "stop the slaughter of dolphins/cetaceans in japan " page on facebook if people wish to support it.

Please everyone support this cause and Mr Black in this matter.
 
thankyou from the world and all the dolphins and whales :)
 
Thank you so much. I can not think of anything else but these poor dolphins at the moment, it means so much to so many people.
 
thank you so much for this, I do hope this inspires more politicians to make official statements, bills and other legislation that will directly impact the Japanese Government and they're hideous policy regarding these intelligent creatures. These dolphins do NOT belong to the Japanese. They have no right to kill or capture them. It is against international law.
 
Thank you for being a voice for so many who do not have the avenues to address this issue. I too have been following this for the past two years and it causes me many sleepless nights because I feel so helpless. I wonder why there are so many people who feel the same way, yet we remain powerless. Finally people are standing up against this in humane and cruel slaughter of an animal that would help out a human in a moment, but we treat them this way. Thanks once again and keep the fight going until this stops. Denise Richardson
 
Thank you

 
I'd like to add my name to those expressing their gratitude for raising this issue. The Japanese fishermen and government claim this is culture but it's entirely driven by greed They raise millions by selling captive dolphins in to a life of slavery.
These dolphins are not 'slaughtered' they are tortured, enduring watching their loved ones suffer and die before suffering the same fate.
Thank you for speaking up
 
Thank you to you, the people's representatives, for actually listening to our outrage and speaking up on our behalf. In this we are a global community, as this is a global issue, and affects the heritage of our ocean life. I am a dual New Zealand/ US citizen and think that it's time for Japan to cut the crap as we all know this has nothing to do with tradition and everything to do with economics. We must, globally, start turning this evolutionary corner and become not the rapists of our environment and its inhabitants,but the stewards of those precious and finite treasures.
 
At last, politicians are beginning to support the environment
 
Thank you for supporting the dolphins if Taiji ... I read your words with joy! Carolyn, Australia
 
Dear Sir,
I am grateful to you for speaking out against the atrocities committed against these creatures.
A very appreciative American (with some Welsh ancestry)

JuLee Rhiannon Reeves
 
Well done on your address concerning theslaughter of the dolphins in Japan.
As an ordinary business man here in Ireland i was disgusted to see the carry on and i have cut all my ties with my Japanese supplier in protest.
I have however explained my reasons and asked them to lobby their local representative before i will consider trading with them again.
Sincerely

 
Thank you for your acknowledgement of the terrible slaughters in Taijii and The Faroe Islands. Sea Shepherd are speaking at Swansea Uni on Feb 19th, would be great to see you there.
 
This is a sin. On top of it blood cove movie stated dolphin meat is not even a good or even healthy meat. They lie about it and say it is Whale meat. I always had thought this was against the law all over the world until Sea Shepherds opened my eyes. I cry about all these shows. We do need to do something about this and all the animal abuse out there. Punishment should fit the crime. And yes it should be a crime. I pray for them and I am glad people's eyes are finally getting open. I also am grateful that people are speaking out that are being listened to. Thank God!!!
 
Hope you can do all that is poss to stop this as it should be stop.NOW good to no you are trying lets get this stopped
 
Thank you for your courage to stand up to the murders and kidnapping happening in Taiji. I hope your stand is a beacon to other governments (HINT OBAMA) to stand firm and demand this abuse to stop. Thank you so much.

 
The news you have responded in such a positive, logical and responsive way is fantastic. The frustration of not personally being able to make a change to this horrendous practice is heartbreaking. Please, please use all your powers to help start a political movement to finish this slaughter once and for all. You are a hero
 
Thank you for your care and compassion.
 
Thank you so much for your support.

 
Thank you for bringing this issue to your government, I watch the live stream most days and it is horrific, listening to the thrashing and squealing of the dolphins and the killers laughing whilst they kill them. Another 65 were killed yesterday 28/1/14 and was probably the most horrific kill so far.
 
Thank you for your support.
 
Thank you for speaking up !! It´s just so hard to understand how this can continue. I wondering how many dolphins there are left ?
 
Thank you for bringing this issue to your government, I watch the live stream most days and it is horrific, listening to the thrashing and squealing of the dolphins and the killers laughing whilst they kill them. Another 65 were killed yesterday 28/1/14 and was probably the most horrific kill so far.
 
Thank you for speaking out for the dolphins. This mass murdering of high intelligent mammals need to end immediately. Please keep the pressure. THANK You
 
Thank you for helping those that cannot help themselves.
 
Thank you for speaking up for those that cannot speak or help themselves.
 
Thank you so much for keeping the pressure up on this terrible practice, yesterday an entire pod of 60-65 Striped dolphins were savagely slaughtered, even mothers and calves.
A whole family's blood turned that killing cove red and there was no mercy at al.
Several dolphins on witnessing their family killed and swimming in their blood tried frantically to escape and were injured by nets rocks and the killers themselves, some of them bleeding badly from injuries were dragged to the shore and took minutes to die, with the killers shouting and laughing.
Killing of entire families like this cannot be sustained and will seriously damage populations. The meat is contaminated and according to a recent report dolphin meat masquerading and Tuna, was confiscated by Italian authorities on it's way into Europe! After the horse meat fiasco that is not good news especially as it is heavily laden with Mercury!
The killing is fuelled by greed as the real driver is the sale of dolphins and whales into captivity where they fetch up to $150,000 each. This has to stop and the only way is if Governments act!

 
At last! Someone has the guts to speak up over this GREED fest in Taiji, Japan. Shame on all those involved in Taiji and who support this horror show, wherever they are from. If you want it to stop, boycott Marine Parks where Dolphins, Orca's, etc... are put on show. They are feeding this primarily... :(
 
Thank you for raising this horrendous issue. Please do all that you can. The Captivity industry drives this, fuelling the pure greed of the Taiji Fishermen. I've watched a slaughter via Sea Shepherd's Cove Guardians live Stream. It's something I will never forget, it stains the soul, the sheer barbaric and senseless slaughter…I watched a pod of pilot whales (Oct 6th 2013) fight for their lives, trying to help one another rather than fight for freedom- it was utterly heartbreaking to watch as the fishermen tied ropes around their flukes pulling them backwards, driving over them with their skiffs…laughing as they slaughtered.
 
Thank you for spending the time to research and highlight this barbaric cruelty.
 
Thank you so much for speaking up. This horrible practice should have ended years ago. Those poor animals. Please keep up the good work.
 
Thanks so much for bringing attention to this. As I write this another pod is surrounded and a pod of 50 - 65 dolphins were slaughtered yesterday, including calves and juveniles. It is a truly cruel and unsustainable practice. I hope with all my heart the Welsh government will take action.
 
Thank you for being a voice for the voiceless. This is horrible what goes in in TAIJI JAPAN almost daily. I cry day after day watching the suffering that they are enduring whether it be by captivity, held in the cove for days, watching their family being slaughtered and having to drink and swim in their families blood or being driven back out to sea and most likely to die. Never give up!!!!! Kelly Sammons USA
 
I am impressed that you are raising this issue,I hope you are successful in influencing others to join in this discussion and the oytcome will be that this cruel behaviour will stop, Thank you for speaking up.

 
Thank you for speaking out. Such horrific killing is a stain on humanity, therefore the duty of each of us to end it. It will be an honorable thing to do for the Welsh government to take decisive action.
 
thank you for acknowledging what the world is screaming at Japan right now.this hell hole needs to be closed down and exposed as a example of what is done if people like sea shepherd do monitor events around the world like this and MANY others
 
Thank you for speaking out on these atrocities. The more voices denouncing this practice, the sooner we will be heard.
 
Thank you for speaking out against the horrific practices against dolphins in Japan.
 
It is weird that this thought crossed my mind, but all I can think is that I wish the U.S. would have dropped more nukes on Japan!!!But, I am anti-nuke and wouldn't want the fallout to kill Innocent people and animals. I wish more people would pursue the open dumping of nuclear waste at Fukushima. They are killing the WHOLE PACIFIC OCEAN!!!
 
It is weird that this thought crossed my mind, but all I can think is that I wish the U.S. would have dropped more nukes on Japan!!!But, I am anti-nuke and wouldn't want the fallout to kill Innocent people and animals. I wish more people would pursue the open dumping of nuclear waste at Fukushima. They are killing the WHOLE PACIFIC OCEAN!!!
 
Thank you for bringing this up - we need every voice to make these atrocities stop! Keep it up...
 
Fantastic, thank you for speaking up. I hope this can be the start of the end and governments do something. Good luck.
 
Thank you for speaking out
 
Thankyou that you speek fore the dolphin in Taiji.
I wonder why not Sweden do that!!
Best wishes!!!
 
Thankyou that you speek fore the dolphin in Taiji.
I wonder why not Sweden do that!!
Best wishes!!!
 
Thankyou that you speek fore the dolphin in Taiji.It surely must stop.Because it is out-of-date to killing dolphin an whale in this horrible barbarism way...
Regards from Carin Eliasson Sweden
 
Any help is greatly appreciated! We need more voices to end this slaughter. The japanese have been taking and taking from the oceans without humane thought and their actions prove they don't care about the animals, they only care about money. Keep the pressure on!! We can only end this together!!! Thank You for speaking out.
 
Any help is greatly appreciated! We need more voices to end this slaughter. The japanese have been taking and taking from the oceans without humane thought and their actions prove they don't care about the animals, they only care about money. Keep the pressure on!! We can only end this together!!! Thank You for speaking out.
 

Thank you so much for addressing this horrific cruel act that is set upon these beautiful creatures every year!
My 8 year old says to me why do they do this mum why not leave nature alone after all its not our ocean its theirs we just have the privilege to be able to swim in it and use it :-)
 
Thank you so much for speaking up about this senseless slaughter (that has only been ongoing since 1969 and is NOT an "ancient" tradition) of dolphins in Taiji. It is about time the world took Japan to task for its greedy overfishing (drift net, purse sein, long hook lines etc), its whaling (using the pretense of scientific study), and its barbaric practice of dolphin slaughter. As politicians take note and countries confront Japan, it will have to mend its ways or run afoul of all nations as the seas/oceans are a SHARED resource, not Japan alone's. Thank you again!
Dave
 
Thank you for starting to confront Japan with world opinion about its unacceptable practices. I know it is difficult sometimes to "confront" Japan, but you must (and did!) do it. Slaughtering dolphins in Taiji under the fraudulent guise of "tradition" (this has only been going about since 1969), or pretending that their whaling is somehow "scientific research" is to allow the Japanese to act as they have in the past, to greedily deplete a common scarce resource, and act in a manner incommensurate with not only ethical guidelines for slaughter of animals, but incommensurate with world opinion. And THAT, Sir, is why I thank you. You have started the Parliamentary ball rolling towards political pressure. While this did not work in the past on Japan, one hopes that this, combined with international condemnation of such practices, will have some effect. I commend your efforts and hope you continue in this tack! Perhaps next we can discuss their use of drift nets, purse sein nets, long line hooks, and the Japanese overfishing of international waters? Or maybe their guileful use of the "Scientific Research" loophole to slaughter whales?
Thanks again! Great Work!
Dave
 
Thank you for being a voice of reason for us all. I find it extremely upsetting how such barbaric behaviour towards these beautiful animals is allowed to happen. It breaks my heart :-(
 
Thank you so much for being a voice - if only the rest of the world would follow your lead. I truly hope that someone in government here in Australia would have as much courage and determination as you do.
Kim Pickavance - Newcastle Australia
 
thank you for your voice - I only wish someone in government here in Australia would have the courage to do the same. The dolphins need us and lets be honest - we need them - without the oceans we dont survive. Never be silent - Never give up
 
Thank you so much Peter for actioning this issue and trying to impart change and stop this horrendous slaughter. I am from Adelaide, Australia and have been following the unacceptable cruelty on dolphins in Taiji. Please continue to follow this through and i am so hopefull that it escalates higher in British parliment resulting in Japan ceasing this cruel and senseless killing,
Thank you, from Gail in Adelaide, Australia.
 
Thank you Peter for taking a stand on this issue and putting pressure on the Japanese government to end this cruel and senseless slaughter,
From Gail in Adelaide, Australia.
 
thank you so much, please keep the pressure up... so many of us around the world want to see this barbarism stopped in its tracks asap... Sue (Isle of Man)
 
So so happy to see people joining in to stop this obscene and unnecessary act against such intelligent and vulnerable creatures who deserve our respect, thank you
Jennifer Condon
 
I would like to add to the comments already listed and say "Thank you" to all the individuals who continue to fight for these particular causes, even when sometimes it must feel as though there battles are futile.

In this modern age, there is absolutely no need for such savagery and I truly hope that by keeping on the pressure, there will be a time when such cruelty no longer takes place.
 
Thank you!!!!!!
 
Well done and thank you Peter Black. I hope that this affects some tangible action.
 
Well done Peter Black !
While we are all getting upset at these images look at what the Faroese are doing right now and THEy are part of the EU !!! If we all lobbied our MP's and representatives instead of complaining just on Facebook, maybe there might be more to take up the gauntlet as you have done! These issues affect all of us and more importantly the heritage we leave our children Bravo Peter Black!
 
I have been appalled by this merciless and senseless killing and thank you for taking a stand on this matter. Keep up the pressure - the Japanese must be made to listen if enough voices are raised.
 
Well put. Thank you for speaking out and taking stand for those who can not speak for themselves.
 
may the killers burn in hell!!!!!!
 
Thank you X
 
Thank you for raising the issue of #taiji can you bring this up with the EU as well.

 
Many thanks Peter for raising this. This atrocity occurs for six months of every year and is annihilating dolphin populationn, in addition to its horrific cruelty to these highly intelligent, self aware beings, as this recent report explains. http://www.eia-international.org/wp-content/uploads/EIA-Toxic-Catch-report-FINAL.pdf
 
Thank you Peter from beating hearts all over the world!!!!
 
Well said, Sir.
Thank you for your efforts!

 
Well done Peter. I find the dolphin killings/capture so disturbing. Just wanted to cry. Thank you so much for taking this matter on.
 
Well done for taking a stand. These 'fishermen' monsters must be stopped, and they do deserve to be punished for their wickedness.Their actions have literally broken peoples hearts.
 
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