Julia Viscome
Professor K. Robinson
Analytical and Persuasive Writing
31 March 2008
Dolphin Slaughter in Japan
One of the most exhilarating experiences a person can encounter is the rush that comes along with being able to observe wildlife in their natural habitat. Exhibits such as aquariums and zoos, scuba diving trips, safari rides, and whale watches, allow a closer look into the remarkable life of wildlife. However, due to one unfortunate fishing law in Japan, these opportunities to observe wildlife are rapidly becoming limited. A current law, supported by the Japanese government, shamefully allows over 22,000 dolphins, porpoises, and small whales each year to be legally slaughtered by fisherman in a selfish attempt to benefit the Japanese economy. This law is deliberately damaging the marine wildlife and motivating activists, petitioners, marine biologists, organizations such as the ocean project, and anyone with a personal interest in the matter to put an end to this sadistic law.
This harmful law that legalizes barbaric dolphin slaughter is more destructive and harmful than most people know. The number of actual animals legally killed in effect to the law is deplorable. According to the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), more than a shocking 400,000 dolphins, porpoises, and small whales have been killed in the past twenty years. The killings known as dolphin hunts appear to be not only inhuman, but barbaric. An activist described the hunts by saying "They are driven onto Japanese beaches and bays, stabbed with spears and knives, then left to slowly bleed to death literally turning the sea red while others drown entangled in nets. Some of the dolphins are taken alive, pulled out of the water by ropes tied around their tails to be sold to marine parks." If the public were aware of these sickening events, an outrage would be guaranteed.
These heart-breaking murders have a vast impact on the dolphins, rapidly jeopardizing their population. More specifically, Striped dolphins have extremely suffered from the slaughtering resulting in a highly endangered status. Their condition is so severe in fact, that in 1992 the Scientific Committee recommended that the Government of Japan implement an “interim halt in all direct catches of striped dolphins.” Nonetheless, the Japanese government failed to initiate, leading to an annual quota of 725 Sriped dolphins killed till this day. Unfortunately, Striped dolphins are just one of eight studied species that are headed down the distressing path of extinction. Whether the government recognizes the extent of their lethal actions or not, it is time that something is done.
This uncontrollable law may possibly have more harsh effects than the Japanese government intended; or that is what they want people to believe. When combining all the information together, suggestions lead one to believe that the government chooses to ignore these unbelievable effects with the success of the economy in mind. By neglecting to regulate the law requested by all the protesters, activists, and organizations, the government created an unpopular and disliked persona around the world. As a cheap attempt to fool the citizens, the government ordered the dolphin and porpoise products to be mislabeled as “whale” in order to deceive the consumers and further the economy. To make matters worse, according to the Animal Welfare Institute, these mislabeled products are sold despite the sky-high levels of mercury, heavy metals, DDT, and PCB's in the meat. In fact, most tested dolphin meat, conducted by the Animal Welfare Institute, has a toxic load of 10 to 500 times the recommended maximum intake level for human consumption. "The public, including the people of Japan, would be outraged if they knew the truth,” expressed one of many passionate activists.
Another form of evidence revealing the government’s undercover knowledge is apparent in countless video footage tapes capturing the slaughters. In a heroic story of activists who jeopardized their safety in order to make these evil acts public through live footage, they were shocked at the amount of control the government held over the issue. In the shocking article, provided by the Animal Welfare Institute, the activists found themselves in a dangerous position as their lives (and video tape) were threatened by the fishermen who caught them filming the dolphin slaughter. In attempt to protect themselves from the angered fishermen, the frightened activists called on the police. However, instead of the fishermen being taken away, it was in fact the activists who were in violation. This is clear evidence of the obscured amount of control the government contains. The government deviously orders the fishermen to continue on their hunts, the police men to continue enforcing the law, and the manufactures to continue mislabeling the products, while disregarding all damaging effects, with nothing but selfish rewards in mind. Unfortunately, the result of this battle rests in the Japanese government, and will stay there.
Luckily, people are coming from all around the world to join in the fight in ending this animal cruelty. A courageous organization known as The Ocean Project put together a petition aimed towards the government of Japan, the prime minister, and Mr. Shinzo Abe, urging to end the dolphin slaughter in Japan. This petition currently has 121,783 signatures, working towards a high-set goal of 250,000 signatures. In another attempt to resist the law, on October 7th, 2005, activists including members of In Defense of Animals, the International Marine Mammal Project of Earth Island Institute and One voice-France met in San Francisco to protest. Standing directly in front of the Japanese Consulate, these protestors drew attention to the annual killings held in Japan. This petition did not just occur in California, but in front of forty-four different Japanese embassies within 26 countries. In determination to get through to the Japanese government, the EIA has encouraged all Japanese citizens to boycott all fisherman products to create an impact on the economy. As if that was not enough, there is also an Act for Dolphins being led by scientists seeking to raise awareness ideally resulting in an uproar. However, even after all raised awareness, protests, and petitions, the final decision ultimately relies in the hands of the Japanese Government.
Hopefully, the end of this vicious and sadistic war is in sight. For now, the only thing the public can do is keep persistent in the fight against the law. Organizations and activists cannot stress enough the importance of this struggle. With support from around the world, the motivation to save the dolphins remains strong.
Professor K. Robinson
Analytical and Persuasive Writing
31 March 2008
Dolphin Slaughter in Japan
One of the most exhilarating experiences a person can encounter is the rush that comes along with being able to observe wildlife in their natural habitat. Exhibits such as aquariums and zoos, scuba diving trips, safari rides, and whale watches, allow a closer look into the remarkable life of wildlife. However, due to one unfortunate fishing law in Japan, these opportunities to observe wildlife are rapidly becoming limited. A current law, supported by the Japanese government, shamefully allows over 22,000 dolphins, porpoises, and small whales each year to be legally slaughtered by fisherman in a selfish attempt to benefit the Japanese economy. This law is deliberately damaging the marine wildlife and motivating activists, petitioners, marine biologists, organizations such as the ocean project, and anyone with a personal interest in the matter to put an end to this sadistic law.
This harmful law that legalizes barbaric dolphin slaughter is more destructive and harmful than most people know. The number of actual animals legally killed in effect to the law is deplorable. According to the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), more than a shocking 400,000 dolphins, porpoises, and small whales have been killed in the past twenty years. The killings known as dolphin hunts appear to be not only inhuman, but barbaric. An activist described the hunts by saying "They are driven onto Japanese beaches and bays, stabbed with spears and knives, then left to slowly bleed to death literally turning the sea red while others drown entangled in nets. Some of the dolphins are taken alive, pulled out of the water by ropes tied around their tails to be sold to marine parks." If the public were aware of these sickening events, an outrage would be guaranteed.
These heart-breaking murders have a vast impact on the dolphins, rapidly jeopardizing their population. More specifically, Striped dolphins have extremely suffered from the slaughtering resulting in a highly endangered status. Their condition is so severe in fact, that in 1992 the Scientific Committee recommended that the Government of Japan implement an “interim halt in all direct catches of striped dolphins.” Nonetheless, the Japanese government failed to initiate, leading to an annual quota of 725 Sriped dolphins killed till this day. Unfortunately, Striped dolphins are just one of eight studied species that are headed down the distressing path of extinction. Whether the government recognizes the extent of their lethal actions or not, it is time that something is done.
This uncontrollable law may possibly have more harsh effects than the Japanese government intended; or that is what they want people to believe. When combining all the information together, suggestions lead one to believe that the government chooses to ignore these unbelievable effects with the success of the economy in mind. By neglecting to regulate the law requested by all the protesters, activists, and organizations, the government created an unpopular and disliked persona around the world. As a cheap attempt to fool the citizens, the government ordered the dolphin and porpoise products to be mislabeled as “whale” in order to deceive the consumers and further the economy. To make matters worse, according to the Animal Welfare Institute, these mislabeled products are sold despite the sky-high levels of mercury, heavy metals, DDT, and PCB's in the meat. In fact, most tested dolphin meat, conducted by the Animal Welfare Institute, has a toxic load of 10 to 500 times the recommended maximum intake level for human consumption. "The public, including the people of Japan, would be outraged if they knew the truth,” expressed one of many passionate activists.
Another form of evidence revealing the government’s undercover knowledge is apparent in countless video footage tapes capturing the slaughters. In a heroic story of activists who jeopardized their safety in order to make these evil acts public through live footage, they were shocked at the amount of control the government held over the issue. In the shocking article, provided by the Animal Welfare Institute, the activists found themselves in a dangerous position as their lives (and video tape) were threatened by the fishermen who caught them filming the dolphin slaughter. In attempt to protect themselves from the angered fishermen, the frightened activists called on the police. However, instead of the fishermen being taken away, it was in fact the activists who were in violation. This is clear evidence of the obscured amount of control the government contains. The government deviously orders the fishermen to continue on their hunts, the police men to continue enforcing the law, and the manufactures to continue mislabeling the products, while disregarding all damaging effects, with nothing but selfish rewards in mind. Unfortunately, the result of this battle rests in the Japanese government, and will stay there.
Luckily, people are coming from all around the world to join in the fight in ending this animal cruelty. A courageous organization known as The Ocean Project put together a petition aimed towards the government of Japan, the prime minister, and Mr. Shinzo Abe, urging to end the dolphin slaughter in Japan. This petition currently has 121,783 signatures, working towards a high-set goal of 250,000 signatures. In another attempt to resist the law, on October 7th, 2005, activists including members of In Defense of Animals, the International Marine Mammal Project of Earth Island Institute and One voice-France met in San Francisco to protest. Standing directly in front of the Japanese Consulate, these protestors drew attention to the annual killings held in Japan. This petition did not just occur in California, but in front of forty-four different Japanese embassies within 26 countries. In determination to get through to the Japanese government, the EIA has encouraged all Japanese citizens to boycott all fisherman products to create an impact on the economy. As if that was not enough, there is also an Act for Dolphins being led by scientists seeking to raise awareness ideally resulting in an uproar. However, even after all raised awareness, protests, and petitions, the final decision ultimately relies in the hands of the Japanese Government.
Hopefully, the end of this vicious and sadistic war is in sight. For now, the only thing the public can do is keep persistent in the fight against the law. Organizations and activists cannot stress enough the importance of this struggle. With support from around the world, the motivation to save the dolphins remains strong.
No comments:
Post a Comment