The Cove

I found the video on dolphin drive hunting in Taiji to be quite upsetting. I was unaware of of this type of hunting in Japan, and I don't particuarly like it. The method they use of driving them into the cove and then spearing them/slitting their throats seems quite inhumane. I understand that in England and other parts of the world also slaughter animals in horrendous ways, but the fact that dolphins are so highly regarded makes it a whole new kettle of fish (so to speak!). It has been proven that dolphins are intelligent creatures and so they shouldn't be hunted in this way, but then again so are pigs so how can we be so accepting when it comes to pork? In Western culture, horses are commonly pets. But, here in Kumamoto it is a delicacy. This is a culture difference, but it seems that people in Japan are not aware of the dolphin drive hunting in Taiji and I think that proves that this type of hunting is wrong. However, I don't understand why the Government have a quota for dolphins and why dolphin meat is being sold or even given away when it contains high levels of mercury. I think there should be another method instead of taking so many dolphins into captivity. Perhaps have a better system with those dolphins that are already in captivity and breed them to be in the entertainment industry and not take the freedom of the ones that inhabit our oceans.

I think its really sad that this is happening and something should be done to stop it. I think the documentary is an effective way in making people all over the world aware of what is happening, and it was wrong for Japan to ban the film in certain cinemas. People should have the freedom to see what they like, and this shouldn't be shielded from them. The fact that so much effort goes into keeping this activity a secret proves that it is wrong.