OPS- What You Can Do

See on Scoop.it – Titan Explores

OPS- Things you can do to make a difference!

 

Join the millions who have seen The Cove and want to act. You needn’t fly to Taiji to make your voice heard. 

Contact Authorities

Keep it simple. Keep it kind.

Here are contacts in Japan.

Mr. Kenji Yamaoka- Minister of the Consumer Affairs Agency
Sanno Park Tower
2-11-1 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 
Japan 100-6178 
         

Mr. Yoshiki Kimura – Governor of Wakayama
1-1  Komatsubaradori  Wakayama City,  Wakayama  640-8585  Japan
Email: 

e0001003@pref.wakayama.lg.jp
Fax: +81-73-423-9500

Fishery Division
Tel： +81-73-441-3010
Fax： +81-73-432-4124
Email: e0715001@pref.wakayama.lg.jp

Taiji Mayor Kazutaka Sangen
Email: zeimu@town.taiji.lg.jp

Tel: 81735592335
Fax: 81-73-559-2801

Taiji fishermen’s union
Tel: 81735592340
Fax: 81-735-59-2821 

Taiji Whale Museum

Oaza Taiji 2934-2 Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture Higashimuro gun
Tel: 0735-59-2400 Fax. :0735-59-3823

Tourism Bureau, Wakayama Prefecture
Tel: 81-73-441-2789 
Fax: 81-73-427-1523
Email: 

wakankou@basil.ocn.ne.jp
Website : http://kanko.wiwi.co.jp/world/english/index.html

Hotel Dolphin Resort / Dolphin Base

703-15 Moriura, Taiji-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture 649-5172, Japan
Tel: +81 0735 59 3514
Fax +81 0735 59 2810 

Here is a suggested letter:

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen & Honoured dignitaries of Japan,

I write to express extreme distress, anger and sadness at the annual dolphin slaughter and capture still being carried out in the Japanese town of Taiji.  These dolphin drives  are brutally cruel, completely unnecessary and have no place in the 21st century.

Japan is an advanced and otherwise beautiful country. It has the history and the capability to become the world leaders in marine conservation. It is unfortunate that the reputation of an entire nation is being tarnished by the work of a handful of people.

Dolphins are not fish, they are mammals. Dolphins breathe air. They have feelings. They have emotions. They have self-awareness. They are social, complex, intelligent beings. Even the nursing mothers and babies “iruka” are slaughtered with no mercy or they are stolen for a life of misery confined to small pools in aquariums. In the world of civilized nations, no wild animals are being eradicated like the dolphins are being slaughtered in Japan. 

I understand that cultural food issues are complex, some people eat cows, pigs, chickens, some eat bunnies, dogs and cats, insects, etc. Yet the number of people who enjoy eating dolphin meat is dwindling, especially as people become aware of the issues of mercury toxicity.

The Japanese Government has the power to stop the hunts and I humbly ask you to appeal your representatives and work towards a move to end the annual slaughter. 

Taiji could be a mecca for tourism if the dolphin slaughter stops. Dolphin and whale watching tours prove to be lucrative tourism activities elsewhere. Hopefully the thirteen fishing boats could replace their banging pipes and spears with binoculars, cameras, and other souvenirs of a joyous experience on your shores.

Sincerely,
(your name and contact information)

Find a Japanese Consulate in your area

http://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/mofaserv.html

Current information on Taiji kills

http://www.ceta-base.com/drivefisheries.html

Local dolphinariums:

Find your local dolphinarium and voice your concerns.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dolphinariums

About SeaWorld:

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment (abbreviated SeaWorld) is a family entertainment company owned by The Blackstone Group. SeaWorld is responsible for the operation and maintenance of eleven theme parks located throughout the United States.

Headquarters:
Sea World Corporate Office | Headquarters
7007 Sea World Dr Orlando, FL 32821
(800)327-2424

Also, spread the word through friends, family, FaceBook, Twitter.

Keep it simple. Keep it kind.

See on opsociety.org