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Japanese aquariums still rely on controversial dolphin hunt

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Maritime mammals are just fish over here.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Glad WAZA suspended the Japanese chapter, and I hope other, similar associations will stop donating to Japan and suspend memberships until JAZA complies. If Japan wants the benefits, it has to play by the rules to get them. I hope WAZA is keeping tabs on this for future cases of when JAZA whines it deserves to be a member or is 'baffled' as to why it is no longer.

3 ( +10 / -7 )

Of course they do. Japan is 50 years behind the times, so who is surprised by this?

1 ( +8 / -7 )

no suprise but too much concrete

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Also, aquariums, in Japan or elsewhere feel kinda antiquated.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

At least 18 of 33 Japanese aquariums that are home to dolphins say their stock were caught using the divisive “drive fishing” method, while eight declined to comment due to concerns over “negative reactions,” the Yomiuri Shimbun said Saturday.

Breaking this code means 18+8 =26 aquariums out of 33 acquire dolphins this way.

I hope Japan's aquariums & zoos get the boot from this international organization unless they vastly improve their ways, unlikely tho!

0 ( +3 / -3 )

WAZA “requires all members to adhere to policies that prohibit participating in cruel and non-selective methods of taking animals from the wild,”

sounds like slave owners seeking respectability

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Why is this even news?

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

The lifespan of a wild dolphin is around 20-25 years. The lifespan of a captive dolphin is 5-7 years. Marin's parks should be strictly regulated to provide the best environment possible for he captive animals. Sea World on the Gold Coast in Oz has a large lake and Everglades habitat for their captive dolphins and most live around 15 years in captivity. However, the Marin's parks I have sent in Japan are nothing short of a concrete bunker!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Why cannot some people agree to disagree?

They just want others to obey their way of life, such as "you must not smoke," "you must not eat pigs," "you must not eat animals," "you must not keep animals," "you must not keep pets," and so on and on.

They just love some animals and they will do whatever. They will just keep demanding to satisfy their unsatisfiable love of animals, so it is just useless to try to make some compromise. Once a compromise is made, they will demand more on the next day.

Only way to deal with those people is to ignore them.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

To my way of thinking dolphins are as intelligent as humans, and their whale relatives are far more intelligent than us! The day we recognize this and respect these species accordingly, will mark a transformative step towards higher consciousness for humans. I do not believe it is too much to ask of humanity that we treat those dolphins and whales who volunteer to live among us as ambassadors for their species, with all the freedom and respect that entails. This includes returning them to their family and relatives in their natural environment after spending some stress free time interacting with us. There is much they could teach us about the interconnectedness of life on this miraculous planet, and about our place in it. Hopefully this happens in time to prevent our ignorant and insane destruction of the natural environment that sustains all life from causing our species to go extinct!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Jim PoushinskyMay. 17, 2015 - 11:29PM JST

To my way of thinking dolphins are as intelligent as humans, and their whale relatives are far more intelligent than us!

I that case, we should kill them all before they nuke us. Surely you agree that they are capable of building nukes since they are more intelligent than us.

Joking aside, I think whales and dolphins are not at all intelligent.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

whale and dolphin, wish i could try some here.. sigh...

oh well will have to wait until my next trip to Japan.

BTW - in the 1050's we would not have this conversation,

in the 1960's some conversation would be occurring to ensure that overfishing was not occuring

we only became concerned after a TV show in the late 60's and couple of movies in the 70's and 80;s and people humanized the creatures - now we honor them as gods. not really scientific just a set of movies and film...

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

@letsberealistic

Japan will get there eventually with a gentle push here and there.

Extremely impolite comment. It is you westerners that are naive and easily brainwashed by media. How do you think Japan feel by being pushed here and there by people like that?

Why do you assume you have better awareness than the Japanese in this?

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

To my way of thinking dolphins are as intelligent as humans, and their whale relatives are far more intelligent than us!

Based on what?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

 

Strangerland at May. 18, 2015 - 12:31AM JST

To my way of thinking dolphins are as intelligent as humans, and their whale relatives are far more intelligent than us!

Based on what?

Ohh wow

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Surely you agree that they are capable of building nukes since they are more intelligent than us

What on earth is intelligent about creating weapons of mass destruction?

I am dead against hunting of any kind, but don't see how 'they're more intelligent than us' is any kind of argument. If it were a valid argument, logically it would be OK for the 50 % of the human population that has an IQ in excess of 100 to kill off the 50% with an IQ in double digits - after all, they're not as intelligent....

Just leave the darn marine mammals alone in the sea, where they belong.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Just tell all your friends that the dolphins they see in aquaria are captured from the sea and their family members and mates are slaughtered at the same time they are captured. Then it is up to the aquaria-goer whether they will spend the money to support the practice. The fact that 8 aquaria are not keen on the publicity probably tells us that this is all kept secret for a good reason, whether it is "culture" and " cultural difference" or not.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

CH3CHO,

Why cannot some people agree to disagree?

It's about decency. I used to think the treehuggers and their ilk were ridiculous. As I grew older, I realized it is unfair and unsustainable keeping captives, wheter they are animals or humans. It is simply not the right thing to do. An animal that is used to roam free ought not be confined to a tiny (by compasison) concrete bunker.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Knox,

It is simply not the right thing to do.

So, why do you think the Japanese should listen to what you think is right in Japan, and ignore what they believe is right in Japan?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

@Knox Harrington

Also, aquariums, in Japan or elsewhere feel kinda antiquated.

Not to mention the cringeworthy & often unrelenting advertising that come with them. That goes double for zoos.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Tinawatanabe. Do you believe honestly that Japanese know the full story about these dolphins, creatures that they otherwise regard as cute? Do you think honestly think that if they knew the truth that they would still approve of the capture and slaughter? If so then you too can tell all your friends the truth. No one wants to force their views on others. Just give everyone the facts and let them make up their own mind. Unfortunately you might find that when this happens the Japanese are not this monolithic group you assume them to be.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Jim Poushinsky - To my way of thinking dolphins are as intelligent as humans, and their whale relatives are far more intelligent than us!

Is this based on personal experience? How were the tests conducted?

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Do you believe honestly that Japanese know the full story about these dolphins, creatures that they otherwise regard as cute?

Yes I do.

Do you think honestly think that if they knew the truth that they would still approve of the capture and slaughter?

Yes I do.

If so then you too can tell all your friends the truth.

Many of us are doing that but you are ignoring.

No one wants to force their views on others.

That's what you are doing. Nothing else.

Just give everyone the facts

Dolphins are animals, not endangered.

and let them make up their own mind.

Don't try to teach your grandmother how to suck eggs.

Unfortunately you might find that when this happens the Japanese are not this monolithic group you assume them to be.

This never has become even an issue in Japan. It does not even worth start thinking

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Japanese aquariums are free to continue obtaining dolphins from Taiji. If they choose to do this they must accept expulsion from WAZA: you can't insist on joining a club if you refuse to obey the rules. Moaning and whining about this demonstrates immaturity: such people should not be keeping dolphins.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

You see, I beg to differ, Tina. I am pretty sure very few people know about the slaughter and the live capture of the animals they see performing. I have in fact tried asking them. And I believe many would be shocked at just what goes on. I also do believe dolphins are animals and many species are not endangered. Though I am not sure this is therefore a good reason to slaughter and capture. I also believe it is not an issue because the zoos themselves try to keep it quiet, just like Taiji does. And, finally, if slaughter and capture of dolphins is a cultural right, as you seem to believe, then let everyone know about it. Maybe we could see it live on TV. We cannot on the one hand demand that something be justified as culture while simultaneously keeping it off the news or out of the minds of the people whose culture it is supposed to be. The Culture Poiice then pretend to talk on behalf of everyone and those who have no idea are coerced into believing them as they are said to be talking about their beliefs in some endless tautology.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

@Srote

you can't insist on joining a club if you refuse to obey the rules.

If the rules were made on objective evidence, and not by the people who cite "cute" as ground.

@Moonraker

Nobody is hiding. Why would anybody hide anything that they never imagine wrong to do? We all know that killing any animals is brutal thing. As I said it is non issue here so no need to talk about it. Long tradition.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Maritime mammals are just fish over here

True enough. When they learn tricks, they become "cute fish"

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Tina - are you saying the members of WAZA base their science on cuteness????

I thought it was based on ..."WAZA requires all members to adhere to policies that prohibit participating in cruel and non selective methods of taking animals from the wild".

The round peg of cute doesn't fit the square hole of logic on this one.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Why is this even news?

I actually feel pretty sorry for the Japanese that are unaware of the things being done in their "name" in an attempt to keep their "culture" alive.

I find it even more sad that people allow themselves to be grouped together in defense of the indefensible too.

Let one Japanese person scream, "It's Japanese culture" "You have no right to stop us or criticize us" and everyone else jumps on the bandwagon full of ignorance.

It's time that people here stand up and say "That isn't MY culture" "That isn't ME", time for folks to disassociate themselves from the cruel practices being done in "their" name!

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

@ strangerland, CH3CHO, kiyoshiMukai, cleo - yes, my conclusion that dolphins are as intelligent as humans and that whales are far more intelligent than our species, are in fact based on my personal experiences with whales. My experiences would best be told in a video documentary that would be comparable to the ET movie. I say this on behalf of the whales and their concern for all life (including us!) , and would welcome contact from a serious film producer...

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

browny, cruel is as subjective as cute. Human being is cruel to all animals we are killing. They can't prove Japan is particularly cruel. They think cruel because they are crazy about the animal.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Nobody is hiding. Why would anybody hide anything that they never imagine wrong to do?

If no one is hiding then pray tell why do the people of Taji refuse to allow media or press to film or document the capture and killing of these animals? In your next breath you say;

We all know that killing any animals is brutal thing.

But you previously said there is nothing to hide? Yet they hide the culling right?

As I said it is non issue here so no need to talk about it. Long tradition.

So the world should be bowing to Japanese tradition even when it's wrong, in effect the silence condones the actions, but I'll bet you dont eat the mercury laden meat nor feed it to your kids.

Some tradition huh? Capture/kill animals for show, force people to believe it's tradition, but one they never knew about until a few years ago, make everyone believe it's Japanese, and then go into denial mode when the heat gets turned up.

Sounds just like Abe.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Tina - I agree - the notion of cruelty is subjective. One person's cruelty is another person's love - eg corporal punishment?

But in order to operate in the modern world we do need some basic set of standards to smooth out the processes of global interraction esp in the demanding areas of science..

In this case, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums has a set of basic rules to abide by. This helps all members for a common understanding.

If you don't wish to follow the rules, then simply exit from the association and go your own way. No-one is forcing the aquariums under scrutiny to join.

If you want to play soccer, then rugby rules won't cut it.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

If no one is hiding then pray tell why do the people of Taji refuse to allow media or press to film or document the capture and killing of these animals?

Taichi people now knows your intentions. They were already very much hurt by the way you look at them. US movie The Cove deliberately depicted them as if they were cruel and savage.

But you previously said there is nothing to hide? Yet they hide the culling right?

Are you freindly to them?

So the world should be bowing to Japanese tradition even when it's wrong

Name the countries who think this wrong. How many countries out of about 300 countries in the world? It is you who are wrong violating the international law which prohibit interference in another country sovereign issue.

I'll bet you dont eat the mercury laden meat nor feed it to your kids.

Sea creatures are mercury laden. The Japanese people especially old people have higher mercury in their bodies than other country people. I'll bet the centenarians have the most mercury.

make everyone believe it's Japanese

I don't think it's Japanese. I'm sure there're other countries do the same.

Sounds just like Abe.

Because talking about the same thing.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

They were already very much hurt by the way you look at them. US movie The Cove deliberately depicted them as if they were cruel and savage.

Because that's how they're behaving. The truth hurts doesn't it?

-5 ( +0 / -4 )

Name the countries who think this wrong. How many countries out of about 300 countries in the world? It is you who are wrong violating the international law which prohibit interference in another country sovereign issue.

Sovereign issue? I suppose you would say the same to Hitler or Tojo too. It is an issue of cruelty and totally unnecessary as well. You are naive or have your head in a box to think otherwise. BTW there are roughly 200 recognized countries and regions in the world.

Japan sticks it's nose into plenty of places.

Sea creatures are mercury laden. The Japanese people especially old people have higher mercury in their bodies than other country people. I'll bet the centenarians have the most mercury.

Do you have any idea what you are talking about?

I don't think it's Japanese. I'm sure there're other countries do the same.

Tell me one country that kills dolphins like the folks in Taiji do? I wont call all Japanese as the perpetrators because most are ignorant of the issue.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

It is an issue of cruelty and totally unnecessary as well.

It's sad you have to insult Japanese culture like that. Taichi people are making a living on dolphine, and Japanese children enjoy watching dolphine. It's hardly unnecessary.

Japan sticks it's nose into plenty of places.

Westerners are sticking their nose into plenty of Japanese things. This dolphin thing happens within Japan, sovereign issue. Japanese don't complain westeners are enchanted by dolphine, but they shouldn't complain Japanese don't love dolphine as much as they do. It is a very dangerous attitude, shame on you.

Do you have any idea what you are talking about?

I'm telling the truth. Your body has some mercury as well, but not as much as avarage Japanese if you don't eat as much sea creatures.

Tell me one country that kills dolphins like the folks in Taiji do? I wont call all Japanese as the perpetrators because most are ignorant of the issue.

This is a culture not majority vote. Taichi people are not perpetrators. They are probably maintaining the family business they inherited from their parents.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Taichi people are making a living on dolphine, and Japanese children enjoy watching dolphine. It's hardly unnecessary.

The children enjoy watching the dolphins in Taiji being stabbed and bludgeoned to death in a sea of blood? Seriously?

Japanese don't love dolphine as much as they do.

This summer I shall be swimming with wild dolphins in the sea off Chichijima. Every other single person in the boat and in the sea, enjoying just being with the dolphins, will likely be Japanese. You do not speak for all Japanese people.

They are probably maintaining the family business they inherited from their parents.

Then maybe it's time they stood on their own two feet, evolved and got proper jobs, like all the other folk who inherited other traditional-but-no-longer-relevant-in-the-modern-world family businesses?

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

The children enjoy watching the dolphins in Taiji being stabbed and bludgeoned to death in a sea of blood? Seriously?

The westners enjoy watching the pig or cow being stabbed and budgeoned to death in a sea of blood?

Every other single person in the boat and in the sea, enjoying just being with the dolphins, will likely be Japanese.

I said in my previous post that children enjoy watching dolphin play in response to Yubaru's comment that it is useless to capture dolphine. Your comment of this is not inconsistent with mine.

You do not speak for all Japanese people.

You do much less.

Then maybe it's time they stood on their own two feet, evolved and got proper jobs

What an arrogant comment. Any job is precious as long as legal. I don't think you should bring your western value from your native country and force it on Japanese against their will.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

The westners enjoy watching the pig or cow being stabbed and budgeoned to death in a sea of blood?

In the context of Taiji, you said 'children enjoy watching dolphins'. The dolphins in Taiji are stabbed and bludgeoned to death in a sea of blood. There in no abattoir in the West where pigs or cows are stabbed and bludgeoned to death. There are laws regulating the humane means by which animals for food can be slaughtered. Though as a vegetarian and animal-lover, nothing would please me more than to see every slaughterhouse in the world put out of business.

You do much less. (speak for all Japanese people)

I never claimed to, tina. I just pointed out that you don't.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

There are laws regulating the humane means by which animals for food can be slaughtered.

Not in Japan.

I never claimed to, tina. I just pointed out that you don't.

If you read the Japanese article or site, you'll see majority support Taichi tradition.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

There are laws regulating the humane means by which animals for food can be slaughtered.

Not in Japan.

And you think that's something to brag about?

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

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