TAIJI, Japan - An environmental group claimed Wednesday that Japanese fishermen use unnecessarily brutal methods to hunt dolphins, releasing a videotape that shows the mammals being forced into a cove to be killed, with the water turning red from the blood.

The killing of dolphins is not banned by international law, but the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, which seeks to ban the practice, denounced the method used in the western Japanese town of Taiji.

"It's a wholesale slaughter, which results in immense suffering for these animals," said Nik Hensey, an activist with the California-based group. "It's a sight that one just can't imagine."

Town officials declined comment, but an official with the local fishermen's union, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the hunts are conducted as humanely as possible, and noted that dolphin hunts have been part of local culture for 400 years.

In the videotape, fishermen pound on the water, causing waves that confuse the animals' sense of direction, then corral the dolphins into small coves, where they can be easily killed.

Sea Shepherd made the videotape and provided a copy to Associated Press Television News.

Shuichi Sato, an official at the whaling section of Japan's Fisheries Agency, said there is another village in Japan where the local fishermen catch dolphins in the same manner as in Taiji, while others use harpoons farther from shore. He said the hunting of dolphins is no worse than the slaughter of cows, sheep or other animals consumed by humans.

"What's wrong with eating dolphins? There are Hindus, Muslims around the world who don't eat beef or pork, but do they tell Europeans not to eat this meat," Sato said. "To impose one's culture on others is to deny the culture of other countries."

Though subject to government-set quotas, the hunts are not banned under Japanese law and are not subject to international regulations because they are done near the shore.

Fishermen in Taiji hunt dolphins from October to April. They've caught more than 60 striped dolphins so far this year under the government quota system. The meat is usually canned and sold in supermarkets

Originally posted by bitkahuna
"What's wrong with eating dolphins? There are Hindus, Muslims around the world who don't eat beef or pork, but do they tell Europeans not to eat this meat," Sato said. "To impose one's culture on others is to deny the culture of other countries."
When I first read this story and saw the gruesome pictures, I thought to myself, "those damn people are slaughtering those smart and loveable dolphins." I was quite mad, then I read the above quote. People throughout the world eat things that I could have an attachment to, such as dogs, lizards, and those cute baby seals. People eat almost everything, even other people :eek1: Unless the dolphins are anywhere close to nearing extinction, I have no problem with the Japanese eating dolphins.

Dolphin populations are on a serious decline from overfishing their main staple foods. Adding on the hunting of dolphins does not improve the situation. However, it's sad that these kinds of population declines and endangerments occur with many many many marine species, but only the cute and popular ones ever receive mainstream attention. I didn't know Japan actually hunted them deliberately for food. I believe there was an international stay on dolphin fishing a while back. But even then, Japan hunted them for "taxonomic purposes", even though the dolphins' meat ultimately ended up in the fish markets and restaurants anyway. :rolleyes:

I wonder what it tastes like? I eat a lot of tuna in my diet, chances are I might know. Personally, I don't know why way to swing on the issue. Maybe we should send some liberals over there. The can start a social program to improve the lives of these poor dolphins.

Originally posted by SDuquette
I wonder what it tastes like? I eat a lot of tuna in my diet, chances are I might know.

Not likely. Tuna is a fish. Dolphin is a marine mammal.

Originally posted by lex400sc
Not likely. Tuna is a fish. Dolphin is a marine mammal.

I'd guess SD is referring to the fact that a lot of dolphins are accidently captured / killed (and presumably some get processed) by tuna fishing boats. Remember the big push for 'dolphin-safe tuna'?

Originally posted by DaveGS4
[A] lot of dolphins are accidently captured / killed (and presumably some get processed) by tuna fishing boats. Remember the big push for 'dolphin-safe tuna'?
So that's why I remember tuna from the can tasted so good!:eek1:

On a serious note, I love tuna sashimi! Anyone else like sushi?

Originally posted by 93LexoGS300
So that's why I remember tuna from the can tasted so good!:eek1:

On a serious note, I love tuna sashimi! Anyone else like sushi?

Love it! Salmon is my favorite

Originally posted by DaveGS4
I'd guess SD is referring to the fact that a lot of dolphins are accidently captured / killed (and presumably some get processed) by tuna fishing boats. Remember the big push for 'dolphin-safe tuna'?

Tuna canneries that operate in the United States, and supposedly the rest of the world, are supposed to use dragnets with escape hatches for dolphins and turtles to get out. They are also considered by-catch and even if they are caught, they are thrown overboard dead or alive.

Originally posted by 93LexoGS300
On a serious note, I love tuna sashimi! Anyone else like sushi?

Not really, it's just 'macho food' like really hot food is too. There's a reason we cook food - it kills most parasites and bacteria. Love that commercial with that guy eating 'day old sushi'.

Originally posted by lex400sc
Tuna canneries that operate in the United States, and supposedly the rest of the world, are supposed to use dragnets with escape hatches for dolphins and turtles to get out. They are also considered by-catch and even if they are caught, they are thrown overboard dead or alive.

Yes, today they do that but it wasn't always that way.

I guess the point I was really trying to make was that you were baiting SD with your piscatorial commentary, which was not necessary (I know he threw out the net first with the liberal comment).

Just reminding you both of my request to cool it from last week.

WOW Dave is always on the ball....

Originally posted by 2Lexus430s
WOW Dave is always on the ball....

It's all that raw dolphin he eats. :D

Originally posted by bitkahuna
It's all that raw dolphin he eats. :D
:eek1: :D

Originally posted by bitkahuna
Not really, it's just 'macho food' like really hot food is too. There's a reason we cook food - it kills most parasites and bacteria. Love that commercial with that guy eating 'day old sushi'.

bit, are you nuts???:D I personally love sushi because it's delicious IMO...........I honestly have never heard sushi referred to as a "macho food".:confused:

That being said, if these people are eating what they kill and they are not endangered I'm all for it.

On another note, I heard that some dead seals were found off the east coast of the US (can't remember exactly where)...the seals were skinned and its genitals were removed and the rest of it was discarded :thumbdn:

culture is weak excuse. Sorry I believe in SOME universal truths. Not too mention the world has plenty of cows, chickens and pigs. Dolphins seem to be in shorter supply

It begs the question: what's the difference between an American capitalist and a Japanese capitalist?...not much IMO (profits first) I wouldn't stand for any American doing this

killing dolphins at a mass rate for profit is beyond unsavory. Dolphins are some of the smartest animals on this planet. More brains then some humans.

plus substance killing is one thing, while mass killings go way to far
(I guess one could argue cows and chickens as well, but not me...um love me some steak)

Originally posted by ebruceii
I honestly have never heard sushi referred to as a "macho food".:confused:

I find men MUCH more into sushi than women and I think it's because it's eating 'on the edge' a bit, just like guys like to go to barbeque or wings places (slather on the hot sauce) or steak and cigar places. I guess I'm saying it seems like guys like to eat risky or really unhealthy food more than women! Granted, Sushi is probably far less of a health risk than eating steak or worse, wings (fat and bones coated in sugar and spice).

Originally posted by ebruceii
bit, are you nuts???:D I personally love sushi because it's delicious IMO...........I honestly have never heard sushi referred to as a "macho food".:confused:

That being said, if these people are eating what they kill and they are not endangered I'm all for it.

Don't mind Bit, he's English! They like all the flavor and color cooked out of their food. ;)

Originally posted by Overclocker
Don't mind Bit, he's English! They like all the flavor and color cooked out of their food. ;)

Ouch!! Hey bit, it wasn't me.....:D

Originally posted by Overclocker
Don't mind Bit, he's English! They like all the flavor and color cooked out of their food. ;)

LOL. Fish and chips - ahhhh. Ever tried Indian food though? Holy hot food! Great flavor too.

Actually I've been over here more years than in the 'old country' so my tastes have changed for sure.

But eating Flipper? I don't think so, flavored or not.

Big surprise here- I'm against killing dolphins... but then I'm against killing any person/animal.
Rich is right, the worlds oceans are dangerously overfished.