Every year environmental and animal welfare groups join forces to boo and hiss at (and work to oppose) Japan during the International Whaling Commission meeting. In 1986 the IWC instituted a moratorium on commercial whaling, and ever since Japan has been fighting to overturn it. This year, Japan and its allies came dangerously close to inhaling the sweet smell of success.
In the 20 years since the ban has been in place, approximately 27,000 whales have been slaughtered — either accidentally or for “scientific” purposes. This is hardly a secret. But you probably aren’t aware of the 20,000 dolphins and porpoises Japan kills every year.
From October through April, Japanese fishermen eradicate about 20,000 dolphins and porpoises as a form of “pest control.” Apparently the dolphins eat too many fish, and the fishermen need to wipe out the competition.
So why is there international outrage over the whale slaughter and barely a blip on the radar for its relative, the dolphin? Sure whales are 350 times as big as dolphins, but does that warrant 350 times the attention when they are needlessly and brutally killed?
If you’d like to do something about it, there is an international day of protest at Japanese embassy or consulate offices this Wednesday, September 20. Find the location nearest you here.
Learn more at: savetaijidolphins.org.
