Taiji Fisherman Bring Dolphin to Christmas Dinner

Japan claims that the hunt, slaughter, and death of dolphins in Taiji are quick, painless, and humane. In reality though, the slaughter is not quick, the death is very painful, and the tactics are extremely inhumane.This slaughter happens directly after their ears are annihilated with noise from the banger boats banging on their poles. The fisherman use this tactic (knowing it hurts and scares the dolphins) to create a wall of sound in order to corral the scared mammals into the harbor entrance where they will either be sold to marine parks around the world, or slaughtered.

Dolphins Corralled and Confined in the Cove

When the dolphins are in the Cove they are very stressed and agitated, which causes problems for themselves. It has been reported by both the Sea Shepherd Cove Guardians and the Save Japan Dolphins (Ric O’Barry) Team that when the creatures have been contained in the cove they sometimes begin to jump hectically in last attempts to escape. It has also been noted that they will throw themselves on to rocks trying to escape the traumatizing experience they have been through and will go through… and finally when the dolphins reach an end to this…err… madness another inhumane and morally wrong act is done. The fisherman do not make the death soon for these creatures, but usually leave them in the water to bleed out and die before they touch them.

Following this, the fisherman come  out in little boats called ‘skiffers’ to capture the dolphins a second and final time. These men either tie the dolphins to the side of the boat or more often than not, sink a hook into their body causing great pain and confusion then they hoist them up into the boat where they will then take the catch to a cove that is hidden from onlookers. Here in this cove the actions are brutal, and cruel.

These actions were also  revealed to the world in the Oscar award-winning documentary ‘The Cove’ (2009). However this year, the dolphin killers have made a desperate attempt to hide these actions from the world by rigging tarps to hide the overhead view of the cove from helicopters and such. Despite these efforts to hide this practice, the world is watching Taiji with a fierce vengeance for the dolphins.

If you look in the Cove, you will see bright green. Those are tarps trying to hide the bloodshed

I guess in Taiji’s eyes using a beings sensitive hearing against them to chase them to their death is humane. I guess in Taiji’s eyes letting them die a slow death out of stress and being beat up on rocks is practically painless. I guess in Taiji’s eyes it taking 7 minutes for a dolphin to finally die in the intentional slaughter is quick, humane, and painless.

It has been reported by Steven Thompson of the Taiji Dolphin Action Group (TDAG) that Taiji has been offered money to not kill the dolphins, offered more money than the dolphin would be worth if it is turned into meat, but the killings continue as if they WANT to kill the dolphins. Here is the direct quote as posted by Steven Thompson:

Taiji Update: 9:00pm Japan Time

Things are a little crazy down there now on what has been billed by even the police to be the last day of the year of the hunt. Dolphins may be killed at dawn…in 9 hours.

Lawyers are in play for Erwin and more people are asking for help to get to Taiji.

A few hours ago, Enson and I spoke about the large pod of bottlenosed now trapped in the Cove to ask him for help…It is very rare now, that dolphins are kept overnight…We now have this time to call Embassies. Please do so!

Enson back channeled with Dolphin Base to get the dolphins NOT killed. Dolphin Base leaders say they have tried.

Dolphin base representative states that the hunters’ union has a standing price of about 9000usd per dolphin to not get turned into meat…even though the meat is probably less than 1000usd. It sounds like overpricing on purpose to NOT get a resolution…It sounds like overpricing on purpose because they WANT to kill dolphins.

He and I both have different friends in Taiji who are often given meat by the hunters even though they don’t want it and don’t eat it…the hunters have to give it away to get rid of it, it seems.

Thank you Enson, for your openness to try.
Steven
TDAG

The world is watching you Taiji. Your colorful tarps aren’t hiding your actions.

Japanese Police Raid (Sea Shepherds) Cove Guardians

Following the arrest of Cove Guardian Erwin Vermeulen Sea Shepherd Founder Captain Paul Watson  has released a report stating that 20 police have raided the Cove Guardians hotel…

Twenty officers of the Wakayama Prefecture police have raided the Clarmant Hotel where the Cove Guardians are quartered near Taiji, Japan.

Armed with a warrant the police as seizing computers, phones, hard drives, photos, cameras and anything they deem suspicious.

No reasons have been given for the raid and the Cove Guardians have been careful to not violate local laws.

The raid follows the arrest of Cove Guardian Erwin Vermeulen who was charged with assault on the word of an employee of the Dolphin Resort Hotel. Erwin was attempting to film the transfer of dolphins from the sea to holding pens at the resort. The employee claims that Erwin pushed him. There were no other witnesses to this allegation.

In contrast a recent assault on two female Cove Guardians by a fisherman resulted in the fisherman being questioned and released despite video evidence of the assault. 

At present the Cove Guardians, Scott, Melissa and Ron and also Heather from Save Japan’s Dolphins are being detained and have been cut off from communication with the outside world.

Nicole MacLaughlan managed to get word to us because she was leaving the hotel to go to Osaka just as the police made their move to raid the hotel.

It appears that the police are acting out of frustration and desperation with a crack down against a group that has not committed a single infraction and have operated strictly within the boundaries of Japanese law.

We anxiously await word of their release from detainment and if we hear nothing we will assume they have been incarcerated at the jail in Shingu.

 

Because this event has happened directly after the arrest of Erwin, some are suspecting something more sinister going on behind these actions. Watson later released this update on the event as well…

Just prior to press time for this report, Paul Watson released the following statement on facebook, None of the Cove Guardians were arrested during the raid on their hotel but all laptops, cameras, phone were seized without cause from all the Cove Guardians.  The Cove Guardians have been robbed of their property and their ability to document the atrocities at Taiji.  This is an act of desperation in an attempt to muzzle free speech and to cover-up the horrific slaughter of the dolphins at the Cove.  Now more than ever, the Cove Guardians need volunteers on the ground in the faces of the killers.

Sandy McElhaney via the Examiner:

Today’s incident sent shockwaves through the marine mammal advocacy community.  Unable to hide the killings behind the blue tarps that litter The Cove, Taiji is now going on an offensive against activists who are armed only with cameras and video recorders and who seek nothing more than to shine the light of truth on the ongoing travesty of the bloody killing Cove in Taiji, Japan.

I and many others are expecting something worse to soon break out on the Cove Guardians and the Save Japan Dolphins team in Taiji, Japan. As the whaling season is beginning, tension between the Japanese and Sea Shepherd are reaching an all time high, and Sea Shepherd is expecting this to be the most violent Anti-Whaling Campaign they have had yet.

Sea Shepherd Cove Guardian Arrested In Taiji, Japan

On December 16, 2011 Sea Shepherd Cove Guardian Erwin Vermeulen became the first ever Cove Guardian to be arrested in Taiji— and under false allegations.

 

Erwin was doing his planetary duties in Taiji (protesting the dolphin drive hunt slaughter) on this day, taking photographs and documenting the transfer of Risso Dolphins from sea pens to the Dolphin Resort Hotel when an employee falsely accused him of shoving/pushing him. With Japanese police already running a thin line with patience for Sea Shepherd, it was not hesitated that this accusation  act be punished. He is currently being contained at Shingu Police Station without being allowed a lawyer or visitation rights. This can happen for up to 28 days.

 

From Sea Shepherd,

“The arrest seemed pre-planned. No witnesses saw Erwin shove the employee and Erwin was not even questioned. The police simply approached him and took him away. Out of compassion for the dolphins being slaughtered in Taiji, Erwin Vermeulen travelled to Japan at his own expense to devote his time and energy to the Cove Guardian mission.”

 

 

Earlier this year a woman Cove Guardian (Rosie Kunneke) was assaulted by a fisherman and her assailant was quickly questioned and released— a new definition to double standard in my book.

 

Sea Shepherd takes every precaution they can to not break any laws or commit any crimes. Erwin did not break any laws, police just up and arrested him without questioning him and without any witnesses of the alleged shove. Erwin was taking pictures out of compassion for another life, at his own expense. The Cove Guardians will not back down.

Changing History In The Name Of Death

In reading the American Declaration of Independence, a flag popped up in my head. It wasn’t until I read the section saying

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness…”

that a sense of uncomfort instantly popped up in my head. After several moments of thoroughly spinning thoughts around in my mind, I came to a conclusion of the unease— That now, not just the Government, but our own independence has now been compromised, for the gain of money and in the act of greed.

In summary, the people have unchangeable rights to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Governments are created to protect these rights, and if they fail to do so the people have the right to change that Government to their best interests.

What happened to this? I know I am not content with the captivity of marine mammals in America, and I know hundreds—thousands— of others view it the same way. I know I do not agree with puppy mills in America, and again, those thousands view the same as I. I know I do not agree with the euthanizing in shelters, and thousands agree with me. We, the people, have made it abundantly clear through videos, petitions, letters, e-mails, and more that we are not happy with these issues taking place in our Nation.

“…It is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness…”

Wheres the Obama Change now? Our right to form our government to the peoples best interests has been taken away. The Government will not change— the people in them will (physically)— but the intent and strife for money within the Government will not.

However, the #OccupyWallStreet movement is stepping up, and addressing the government to give us these rights, as is THEIR right in the first amendment to do so.

And now to another raving situation occurring right now, but in another country. In  Taiji, Japan, a dolphin drive hunt slaughter is taking place in a small coastal fishing village (Taiji). The  world looks down on Japan for this drive hunt, but Japan says it is a cultural tradition that has taken place there for centuries.

There are two things wrong with this ‘cultural tradition’ cover up.

1.) Centuries ago representatives from marine parks around the world did not come to this place, bid on a specimen of choice (bottlenose dolphin) to transfer for a life of captivity. Centuries ago they did this for survival, but now tons of whale and dolphin meat sit in the Taiji Slaughterhouse rotting. A waste.

2.) A country/ town would be proud of century long cultural tradition in today’s world right? you would think, but like most things, this does not apply to Taiji. Taiji is so proud of this cultural tradition that they have rigged tarps to cover the killing area so as to hide this practice from the viewing world! Not only does Japan care about what the world thinks, they actually care what their people think as well, believe it or not. This act..err… attempt at hiding such cruel actions just proves they are not proud of this ‘tradition’.

#OWS Occupy Wall Street Occupying the Oceans?

We all know of the Occupy Wall Street Movement, otherwise known as the Global Revolution. We all know this movement quickly became the spotlight of news for social justice.

 

But it has become evident over the past couple days and weeks that this movement is not only for economic justice for the poor… it has expanded to to also bring justice to those who experience pain in the oceans!

 

As the ‘Occupy’ movement grows ever more, it starts to apply from ‘sea to shining sea’. As mass injustice is taking place on the Oceans and its inhabitants, many have protested. But now there is a very popular label for these and it is being used to the max. All over the internet now you can see pages and articles entitled with ‘Occupy _____’, with the blank involving the ocean!

 

This may be viewed as a huge step, this may not be. But it must mean something, because a trend with an ever-expanding population cannot simply go unseen.

 

Some examples of these common pages are:

 

Occupy the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary!

A page protesting the murder of whales by the Japanese in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.

 

Occupy the Cove

A page protesting the dolphin drive hunt slaughter taking place in Taiji, Japan.

 

Occupy-Loro Parque

An online group on Facebook protesting the captivity of Morgan the Orca, a young orca whale. (To learn more about this story watch this video)

 

… and many more. Occupy Wall Street is now Occupying the Ocean.

Christian Compassion and Stumbling Blocks

via CyberWhaleWarrior.com

 

COMPASSION: sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it

I am a member of a worldwide community that is networked to millions of genuinely compassionate human beings. When I first came to know these loving people, I was a bit perplexed to know how many of them are agnostic and even atheist. Many of them were Christians at one time, but eventually resigned to a different belief system or a lack thereof. Why? The Christians of this world seem to be less compassionate than what would be expected from a group that professes love as a prerequisite to their own faith.

I have had the opportunity to attend a couple of Christian church services and Bible studies and have met quite a few people. They are very kind. I would like to think that they are merely misrepresented or misunderstood because, on the surface, they are wonderful people. I could also ascertain that they are much like I was: unaware or the atrocities perpetrated by man. Unfortunately, this does not seem to be that case. Despite my efforts to enlighten a simple few, I am met with the same adamant, selfish response, “There’s no way I’m giving up meat!”

It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble.- Romans 14:21 New Living Translation (NLT)

Once I discovered the torment and anguish that is imposed upon living, breathing beings, I became vegan. I do not partake of meat, dairy or even eggs. I don’t wear leather or fur, yet a Christian will attempt to convey a message of love and compassion over a meal of decomposed animal flesh while wearing leather. The irony is almost sickening. The display of hypocrisy is more than enough reason for many to turn their backs to any Christian religion or denomination.

I have thousands of Facebook and Twitter friends who zealously fight for an end to the systematic torture and killing of sentient beings. Their compassion has transcended the boundaries of human selfishness and they passionately care about all of God’s creatures. “Where there is a mind, there are feelings such as pain, pleasure, and joy. No sentient being wants pain: all wants happiness instead.” – Dalai Lama

Many Christians will try to justify their contribution to the killing of animals to please their palette, but the subject has obviously been an issue for a very long time.

So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble. – 1 Corinthians 8:13 New Living Translation (NLT)

My doctor in Massachusetts told me that being vegan is the best thing that anyone could do for their own health. After six weeks on a vegan diet, I no longer required diabetes medication. My cholesterol levels returned to normal and my blood pressure improved significantly. My physician here in Rome took me off of blood pressure medication all together and gave me written instructions to continue my diet.

In light of recent scientific and clinical research findings, (depicted in documentaries such as: Forks Over Knives and Food Matters), you would think that the Christian community would be the first in line to abstain from meat because of what it does to their bodies.

19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 New Living Translation (NLT)

The Holy Bible is supposed to be the Christian manual on how to live. Many will quote scripture to make a point and tell you that God’s word should be taken at face value. When they are confronted by a passage that does not comply with their lifestyle, however, they always seem to have a nice long, well-thought-out excuse for why that particular part of the Bible does not apply to them.

So let’s examine some Biblical scripture. Shall we?

Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. – Genesis 1:29 New Living Translation (NLT)

Well, that’s interesting! Do you think that maybe God didn’t know that we humans need meat to live? I think not! He knows that we get everything we need from the Earth. He’s known it all along. Maybe you are a bit old-fashioned and you prefer the King James Version of the Bible. Let’s check that out.

And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. – Genesis 1:29 King James Version (KJV)

Please note the bold text.

So, what happened? How did man come to eat meat? Well, we all know that, in the Old Testament, animals were sacrificed to atone for man’s sins. Such a thing today would be considered inhumane. Nevertheless, this was how it was back then. I used to wonder why it was such a big deal. They would slaughter an animal and have a feast. How was this a sacrifice? What we have to remember is that Adam was friends with the animals. He even gave them their names. Would you consider it a sacrifice to kill one of your friends and partake of their flesh? I know I would! That’s why Cain’s offering wasn’t much of a sacrifice. He gave God vegetables.

It wasn’t until after the great flood that God announced it was okay to eat animals. Do you think it had anything to do with the fact that the Earth had been underwater for almost a year? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that vegetable gardens can’t grow underwater. Might I also add that gluttony could not have been a problem before meat was introduced into man’s diet. Have you ever heard of someone being a glutton because they ate too much salad? Come on! This is all common sense! Of course, I could go on and on. I have been reading the Bible as a vegan, while most people read it between meals of dead animals. You’re not going to even notice certain passages if they imply that you should feel guilty about your next all-meat pizza.

Jesus offered himself willingly as a sacrifice! No longer would we have to kill innocent animals to atone for our sins. In fact, He referred to Himself as the Lamb of God and in remembrance of His sacrifice we would eat what? I’ll give you a hint. It’s not steak. It’s bread! After He gave himself as the ultimate sacrifice, I personally find it an insult to Him by continuing to eat meat.

If you are a Christian and you eat meat, know that there are atheists out there who care more about God’s creatures than you do. Know that your lack of compassion for all living beings is the very reason that they consider Christianity a farce. After all, Christians are the biggest meat-eaters in the world. What it all boils down to, however, is that your selfishness is the stumbling block. We can quote scripture all day, but in the end [It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble.- Romans 14:21 New Living Translation (NLT)]

If you really want to understand why there are so many people who actually care about animals, then watch the movie Earthlings. As vegan Woody Harrelson said, it is “A must see for anyone who cares enough to know.” Of course, you may not care enough to know and if you don’t watch the entire film, then you don’t care half as much as you should. Who knows? You may become a vegan. In which case, you would be coming out from among the less compassionate Christians. You would be separate. They may even consider you peculiar.

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“And those who dismiss love for our fellow creatures as mere sentimentality overlook a good and important part of our humanity. But it takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal. And it is actually within us to grant them a happy life and a long one.” – Joaquin Phoenix | EARTHLINGS

Sea Shepherd’s 2011-2012 Anti-Whaling Campign, ‘Operation Divine Wind’ Officially Begins

As Captain Paul Watson gives frequent updates of the status of the Japanese Whaling Fleet factory vessel the Nisshin Maru. After the harpoon ships were fueled, eyes of onlooking organizations and activists soon turned and fixed sharply on this floating city of death. After waiting several weeks… several weeks of being late.. the factory vessel sat in docks, now fueled and ready to go…

As time went by, Captain Watson gave a devastating report that the Nisshin Maru had officially pulled out of port and was underway in the Inland Sea just east of Yuge Island.

Nisshin Maru Underway

“The Nisshin Maru is underway and in the Inland Sea.

Ship Type: Fishing
Status: Underway
Speed/Course: 12.2 kn / 108˚
Length x Breadth: 129 m X 19 m
Draught: 6.8 m
Destination: JP HAB>?? ???
ETA: 2011-12-31 16:00 (UTC)
Received (496): 0h 17min ago

just east of Yuge island.”

The Japanese Whaling Fleet has now left port, which marks the beginning of the Sea Shepherd Conservations Society’s 2011-2012 Anti-Whaling Campaign ‘Operation: Divine Wind’. 90 whale loving people will be taken down to the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary on three ships (the Steve Irwin, Bob Barker, and Bridgette Bardot)  to do what their passionate about— conserve the oceans in today’s world.

Watching the Whalers Every Move

Japanese whalers on the Shonan Maru #2 watching Sea Shepherd watching them. Taken yesterday.

It is now December 4th, 2011 and we are all wondering what the Japanese is going to do this year. The fact that the Whaling Fleet was supposed to have left port for the Southern Ocean weeks ago, and still have is  spinning the gears of governments and non-governmental organizations everywhere.

With their people and economy still reeling from this year’s tragic and horrific earthquake and tsunami, the Japanese government is reportedly proceeding with plans to resume whaling in the Southern Ocean. Even more mind-numbing is news that an additional $28M US will be added to the estimated $40M cost of the program to beef up security for the whaling fleet.

Why would the Japanese send the whaling fleet that costs so much money to run, back down to the Southern Ocean instead of helping the citizens of their own country? A quoted statement from Mark Willacy tells us the answer to that very question,

“The Japanese do not want to give in to Sea Shepherd, they don’t want to bow to the threats and the obstruction they’ve seen on the high seas, they’re going to keep face and they’re going to ensure that whaling will survive,”

“This is a program Japan doesn’t need in a time of financial crisis when there are people without homes, there are communities that have been totally wiped out,” he later added. “That money, that whaling money could possibly be better spent on those sorts of programs. That is probably what the Japanese government is going to now face, that sort of opposition to whaling.”

In addition to the worlds opposition to the practice of whaling, even more are looking down on this country for continuing it in such a time of need and debt.

Last year the whalers left port almost a month late, and they also left the Southern Ocean a month early. This year, with their people being in such need, will they leave at all? There have been reports that the harpoon ships have taken on fuel, but the Nisshin Maru factory ship has not. This raises concerns as well because of a new law involving the  fuel the Nisshin uses. It is now prohibited to use crude oil below the 60 degree parallel line. The Japanese are running a fine line so far— violating a global Moratorium against Whaling… Injuring crew… hundreds of millions of dollars in debt… extra funding they don’t have… can they risk yet another fine?

We are all watching the fleet with sharp eyes, and are anticipating their next move. We all hope they don’t go back and whale in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. It’s the holidays so maybe hope will win all. One can only hope…