By Kirsten Massebeau

Today, dolphins are known to be highly intelligent, and self-aware beings with brains comparable to mans. Every day more scientific data is compiled on how similar dolphins and humans really are. They carry their offspring for about the same amount of time and nurse their young for as long as 2 to 3 years, the pilot whale as long as 6 years. Dolphin groups known as pods live in socially complex societies consisting of families, that show advanced cultures and traditions. Dolphins have interacted with man since time began, trying to help when ever needed, to reach out and share their many gifts of love and laughter freely.

September 1st marks a sad day for the dolphins swimming near the coast of Taiji, Japan.  As exposed, by the academy award-winning film, “The Cove” the traditional practice of driving pods of dolphins into the blood cove continues but today it is driven by captivity. Each year upwards 2000 dolphins are brutally slaughtered in Taiji, Japan. The Taiji dolphin hunters confuse the dolphins using a wall of sound created by dropping metal pipes into the water and then tapping on them. Once the dolphins sonar is rendered useless, the hunters drive the pod into the cove using boats. The pod is separated, the attractive young netted off from their parents, family and community. These young dolphins, are forced to hear their families brutally slaughtered while they swim in their blood. The selected juveniles dolphins are trained and sold into captivity upwards of $100,000. Once sold, they are packed  in ice and shipped worldwide, destined to spend their lives in small cement tanks forced to perform for their food. Their lifespan shortened by as much as 95%, most die within the first year.

Killing Dolphins in Taiji is Slow and Cruel from BlueVoice.org on Vimeo.

Today the dolphin meat is known to be toxic yet the killing continues. Follow the link to Save Japan Dolphins and learn more about the toxic flesh of dolphins. Like man dolphins are at the top of the food chain all ocean pollutants accumulating in their flesh and blubber.

Ric O’Barry of Save Japan Dolphins Holding a Package of Taiji dolphin meat

So why do the 26 men known as “fisherman”, slaughter the dolphins day after day? Thanks to marine parks worldwide the motivation to continue capturing dolphins is there so the hunt remains. Day after day in the winter trainers come into the cove selecting the best and leaving the rest to die slow deaths.  The dolphins thrashing bodies, and cries for mercy echo through the cove as  entire communities of dolphins, their traditions, their sparkle, their love, gone forever. The dolphin drives of Taiji are big business for the Fisherman’s Union of Taiji. The dolphin captivity trade for marine parks and aquariums supports the cove killings. This is income the hunters,  are not willing to give up regardless of the dolphins suffering, so clear to the world.

On Friday August 31, 2012  the people of Portland, Oregon will join the world in asking Japan to stop issuing permits to slaughter dolphins.

All Oregonians and visitors please join us as we stand up for the dolphins of Taiji!

A call to action by Save Japan Dolphins! 

Detail about the rally are listed below. The rally begins at 10am and will run from 10am to 3pm in front of the Wells Fargo Center, in downtown Portland.

• The Portland event can be found on the Save Japan Dolphins Map
• Date August 31, 2012
• Time: 10am-3pm
• Location: Wells Fargo Building 1300 SW 5th Avenue, Portland Oregon 97201
• Contact Kirsten Massebeau, mrsmassebeau@gmail.com 503-440-2188 or Jamee Tankerskley, jameetankersley@gmail.com
• Japan Dolphins Day Portland 2012 Facebook Event please join

Instructions and suggestions for a successful rally! Follow instructions and get direction from your event organizers:

• Make signs and Banners supporting the dolphins and telling their story. Please not use overly graphic or racist photos and slogans. Our issue is with the “fisherman” and marine parks that keep the hunt alive not the Japanese people.
• Bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated.
• Wear your dolphin t-shirts. Ribbon Event pins will again be provided!
• Plan on handing out media and fliers. Fliers and Save Japan Dolphin cards will be provided as will a flier.
• Take pictures and video to share with the world.
• Stay on the sidewalk and let people get by. The Wells Fargo Building is a busy so treat all those passing by respectfully.
• No abusive language or racism will be tolerated.
• You are responsible for your own things. Try to leave valuables at home.
• Be positive and have a great time! Together We Can Make a Difference!