Ric O'Barry and son being interviewed at Taiji Museum
Photo by Mark J. Palmer ©2009
Thankfully, the Tokyo Broadcasting Service is now reporting on the mercury contamination in the dolphin meat from the slaughter that takes place every year in Taiji.
This meat is highly toxic and has been given to children in their compulsorary school lunch program. Now the question remains – what is the Japanese government going to do about this? Will there be a testing program for these children to determine the effects of eating this tainted meat?
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The Cove - No fishermen - No dolphins - No blood - How it should be
© 2009 - Photo by Mark J. Palmer
After years of trying to get the word out, this year Ric O’Barry is successful. He is now being interviewed by media from all over the world. And thankfully, the Japanese media are finally covering the story and interviewing him. When he and the crew of The Cove were there for filming, they found that the Japanese people knew nothing of the Taiji cove, what went on there, or that they were being sold mercury toxic tainted meat.
The one person who will not speak to him, however, is the mayor of Taiji. In Ric’s blog he says that they contacted the mayor’s office, but the mayor refused to meet with him. Ric’s team even offered to send their questions ahead of time so the mayor could prepare for their meeting. But still the mayor’s office refused. One has to wonder what else he could be hiding, or what he is afraid of?
Ric’s team needs to be able to stay in Japan for as long as possible. They know as long as they are there, the dolphin slaughter will not take place. They also know that as soon as they leave, it will probably start up again. They need funds to stay there. Please donate to Save Japan Dolphins! No amount is too small and if we all donate whatever we can, the team can stay there longer. They have finally gotten the world to focus on Taiji and we all need to keep the focus on Taiji. The dolphins will thank you for whatever you can do to help!
Related Articles:
Happenings in Taiji and why this has to stop!
The Taiji Whaling Museum and the Miami Seaquarium - How are they similar?
Also visit: Save Japan Dolphins
Other articles of interest:
Comments
Can ANY ONE point to actaully PUBLISHED articles / video clips in Japanese media about this. It appears the media are there BUT THERE IS NO REPORTING of it!
Rick O'Berry is a hero! This is the world at it's best. Saving the dolphins in Japans Taiji cove is the beginning of a new hope for all of gods creatures! Congrats to all who helped the world learn the truth about THE COVE! On the other hand for the people of Japan. This could bring bad news for thier children as well adults for being led to believe in a lie. Hope they are better educated about what they are consuming. Sorry to say that is why we have Whale Wars. NO whale or dolphin should be killed and loose it's life to be eaten.
Home > Aera Magazine, Japan
AERA MAGAZINE, JAPAN
26/10/2009
No.51 380
(NOTE: AERA Magazine is a popular Japanese magazine published by the Asahi Media Group. Original in Japanese. Thanks to Oceanic Preservation Society for this English translation.)
Official "Methyl Mercury Contamination Testing" in Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture
Bizarre Examinations Undertaken in "Whale Town"
Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture, one of Japan’s most prominent whaling bases.
The high level’s of mercury detected upon examination of residents’ hair was reported in our June edition last year.
And while general checkups have subsequently been undertaken by the government, the checkups themselves are questionable. Is there really no possibility of Minamata disease?
Writer: Hiroshi Hasegawa
Upon visiting a community center and asking an elderly person whether they had had a health checkup, they lashed out in a big voice and stated: "I know everyone. There isn’t anyone around here with that sic
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