Surfing the Digital Wave: Dolphin Slaughter Season Has Officially Begun

Dolphin Slaughter Season Has Officially Begun!

As planned the International Community stood in solidarity on September 1st regarding the first day of the Taiji dolphin slaughter. Ric O'Barry gathered a bus load of people to meet him in Osaka, Japan and ride down to Taiji to celebrate what he called Dolphin Day. Ric is trying to place a positive spin on such a horrible and disgusting act towards wild animals of the ocean. Ric believes we need to protect and celebrate the lives of the dolphins and I agree with him.

As September 1st came upon Taiji so was a massive Typhoon! The winds were picking up greatly and the rain was pounding down while the waves were crashing against the coastline. This brought great fortune to any dolphins passing by the outside perimeter where the 12 Deadly Sins would search for them but it is the start of grave danger for the captive dolphins in the pens of Taiji.

If you can remember earlier this year when the Tsunami devasted the country of Japan. Well this Tsunami also had some effects on the dolphins in the pens of the town of Taiji. These pens hold in some cases over 20 dolphins. When the Tsunami after effects hit the Taiji harbour the water receeded and then came back several times. This water housed the dolphins in the pen which were greatly affected and a few dolphins lost their lives. Well needless to say there is still dolphins in these cages within the Taiji town and no one, not even the trainers that say they love dolphins are doing anything for these dolphins. These dolphins are trapped in these water cages with netting and if you watch the video below with Ric O'Barry he is speaking about the horror these dolphins are currently facing and will face as the Typhoon picks up.

Save Japan Dolphins

Brian Barnes who volunteers his time for Save Japan Dolphins has recently posted this as his status on facebook :

Taiji's first kills of the season seems to have happened without the boats even leaving the harbor. Several dolphins being held in the sea pens at Dolphin Base didn't make it through the storm. The dolphins were pushed against the side of the sea pen by the waves and likely drown. It's ironic, these dolphins were captured last season - but killed this season. - Brian Barnes

It seems we have some casualties from the Typhoon when responsible people do not care about another life in their care.

Many activists are preparing to go back again and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is leading their second volunteer run Taiji Campaign called "Operation Infinite Patience". Paul Watson says "Sea Shepherd's Cove Guardians cut the Taiji dolphin kill quota by half last season with over 65 crew stationed at Taiji over the 6 month period." I was one of the 65 activists last season and I am heading there again this coming season with no definite date set yet but aiming for the month of November. The energy you feel when amongst some worldwide individuals all there to end such horror to the dolphin species is a rush. Standing side by side to do the dolphins proud and get in the way of the murderers is an honour.

The Toronto Dolphin Day was a success with many active people coming from as far as Windsor, London, Brantford, Cambridge, and Barrie. A few activist dressed up like geisha girls holding signs about the dolphin slaughter. There were many honks, cheering, and sign waving as the group started in front of the Japanese Consulate at 77 King Street West from Noon till 4pm.

Below are some photos from the Toronto event.