Japan Dolphin Day | What is Taiji Dolphin Drive Hunt? What is the Purpose of this Hunting?

Japan Dolphin Day is the protest and awareness campaign against Dolphin Hunt in Taiji, Japan. This large-scale dolphin hunt takes place in Taiji, Japan from September 1 to March 1 each Year. So, this Japan Dolphin Day raises awareness against Taiji Dolphin Hunt Drive. This Taiji Dolphin Drive hunt a large number of dolphins annually.

However, this hunting season is authorized by the Japan Fisheries Agency.  This Taiji Dolphin Drive Hunt involves driving dolphins into a cove where they either can be killed for their meat or captured alive for sale to marine parks and aquariums. After, the release of the documentary film “The Cove,” in 2009 it received international attention from animal rights groups, marine conservationists, and the media. This film won an Academy Award for the Best Documentary Feature, significantly raising global awareness about the issue. So this issue of Dolphin Hunt in Taiji has international attention.

History of Orca Dolphin Day and its Characteristics 

Japan Dolphin Day was founded by the Dolphin Project in 2011, on September 1^st. So, this day is celebrated worldwide to sensitize the issue of Taiji Dolphin Drive.

What is Taiji Dolphin Drive Hunt?

Taiji Dolphin Hunt Drive has a history behind this. Primarily, dolphins are killed in Taiji, Japan due to local traditions, cultural practices, and economic reasons. For this dolphin hunt in Taiji, fishermen from Taiji use small fishing boats to scout the waters off the coast for pods of dolphins. Once a pod is spotted, the fishermen use a technique called “drive hunting” to herd the dolphins toward the shore using boats.

After this, fishermen bang on metal poles to create an underwater curtain of noise. This noise confuses and disorientates the dolphins. Then the boats drive the disoriented dolphins toward the bay which leads to a sheltered cove in Taiji.

After that, fishermen close off the area with nets to block their escape. As the dolphins initially feel agitated so they left over night to calm them down.

The following day, fishermen enter the bay in small boats to segregate dolphins based on species and age. Fishermen use a variety of methods to kill the dolphins. These methods include stabbing them with metal rods or cutting their spinal cords to minimize struggle.

The killing process of Taiji Dolphin Drive Hunt has been criticized for its cruelty. A few dolphins from each hunt are selected for captivity. On the other hand,  some dolphins are sold to marine parks around the world.  However, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) banned the sale and transfer of captive dolphins from Taiji, Japan in 2015.

Purpose of Japan Dolphin Day

The hunting of any species in mass can disrupt the ecological balance.  Therefore, the decline in dolphin population can upset that balance and affect overall marine health. On the other hand, studies have shown that dolphins meat contains high level of Mercury. Therefore, it is unsafe for human consumption. So Japan Dolphin Day raises awareness for the Dolphin conservation. It is also a protest against Taiji Dolphin Hunt Drive.

Editor In Chief

Dr. Jassar Aftab is a qualified Veterinarian having expertise in veterinary communication. He is a renowned veterinary Journalist of Pakistan. He is veterinary columnist, veterinary writer and veterinary analyst. He is the author of three books. He has written a number of articles and columns on different topics related to livestock, dairy, poultry, wildlife, fisheries, food security and different aspects of animal sciences and veterinary education.

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