Since the release of the shocking, and award winning, documentary 'The Cove' last year, international outrage has been constantly thrown at Japanese officials for the way in which they deal with the annual dolphin hunting season, and the inhumane slaughter, that has been captured on video, of some 20,000 dolphins a year.
With this year's hunt set to kick off next week on September the first, rallying protesters and global volume for the cause has certainly been at it's strongest. There are countless petitions, equating to over 100,000 signatories, with almost every major animal welfare and conservation society having rallied a call for support, and what are the Japanese government doing about it...nothing!
I say 'nothing' in the commonsensical term, as the government are putting a lot of effort in to the annual hunt, all in the name of tradition. The Wakayama Governor was quoted last month saying "We understand that people have different views about dolphin hunts in Taiji, but we must crack down on actions such as harassment, slander, vandalism and trespassing, which clearly constitute crime", and that is certainly what they are doing. 
Over one hundred police have been instated, and provided with extra training and tactical guidance in expectation of a vast number of international protesters flocking to Taiji, to help prevent the village's 'slaughter-fest' that provides 10% of the country's annual dolphin stock. Through-out the 2010-2011 hunting season Cove Guardian Activists from Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, as well as Save Japan Dolphins were in Taiji every single day of the dolphin slaughter, which ran from September to March...yet the tragedy continues.Thanks to their work in capturing the abominable behaviour displayed by the Taiji Fishers Union, the international media now knows the truth, and we can still help to make a difference.
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