Local editorial (big paper) on Japanese dolphin slaughter

[flvegan]

Imagine my surprise to read this editorial this morning. The St. Pete Times is a great paper (considering her competition) but I still didn't expect this:

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/11/27/Opinion/Japan_s_dolphin_slaug.shtml

In a grisly annual ritual, Japanese fishermen herd bottlenose dolphins into shallow water then kill the highly evolved marine mammals with knives and clubs, turning the sea a bright red with their blood. Some are strung up by their tails to suffer agonizing deaths. This year, the government of Japan will allow 21,000 dolphins to be slaughtered in that manner.

Now, scientists and aquarium operators worldwide have started a petition drive "to bring this unconscionable practice to an end." (The petition can be accessed and signed online at www. actfordolphins.org.)

So far, Japanese officials have resisted pressure to end the "dolphin drives," calling them a "cultural activity." Yet the meat of dolphins (and sometimes small whales) isn't an important commodity in the island nation. Although Japanese officials say the meat is consumed, much of it is used for pet food and fertilizer, according to the Ocean Project conservation group.

In the past, the fishermen have made money by selling surviving dolphins to aquariums around the world, but the largest zoo and aquarium organization now prohibits such purchases and condemns the hunts. That leaves no practical reason for continuing the slaughter.

<more at link>

ON EDIT: I put this up in the Editorials Forum, as well...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x248292

[CrispyQ]

1. "That leaves no practical reason for continuing the slaughter."

They'll do it because they can.


Petition signed. :cry: