Photocredit : Sea Shepherd Cove Guardians

On this supposedly auspicious day over 100 dolphins are trapped by nets in the Cove. This report by Sea Shepherd Cove Guardians

“This morning in Taiji: Over 100 Bottlenose Dolphins were driven toward Taiji and netted off within the Cove..

The greed of the dolphin killers was clearly evident today, as they lost two parts of the large pod during the chase, however instead of being satisfied with 60+ dolphins they managed to drive into the cove, they made sure that every last dolphin was driven within the cove and made theirway back out to drive every last dolphin. They were then netted off and left overnight…

Tomorrow, they will decide which dolphins will forever become slaves to the captive dolphin industry, and which will be slaughtered for meat“

The American Psychological Association says that the social, life-history and cognitive features of bottlenose dolphins show remarkable convergence with primates and other large brained mammals. They studied the social structures and discovered that

“The closest bonds in dolphin society are between a mother and her nursing calf, which extends for three years and occasionally up to nine years (Mann et al. 2000). Dolphins have some of the latest and most variable weaning ages for any mammal. Most weaning takes place half way (six months) into the mother’s next pregnancy. But after weaning, sons and daughters are really on their own (Mann et al. 2000). Daughters occasionally associate with their mothers post-weaning, but sons rarely do (Tsai & Mann 2012). Although both sexes remain in their natal area (termed bisexual locational philopatry), males spend much of their time with other males, eventually forming long-term alliances.

By the time they are in their late teens, most males have formed tight alliances with one or two other males. These first-order alliances also form bonds with other pairs and triplets, known as second-order alliances, and there are additional layers of complexity beyond that (Connor et al. 2011). Alliance size, stability and complexity varies – and some males are not successful at establishing alliances at all. Alliances cooperate to gain access to females and keep other males away from an individual female” http://www.apa.org › … › About the APA Science Directorate

Sea Shepherd Cove Guardians have reported that there are several babies in the captive group. The hunters have a set quota of the number of bottlenose dolphins that they are allowed to seize from the ocean. The babies have insufficient meat so are not valuable enough therefore the hunters do not want them included in the quota. So, if they follow past behaviour, they are likely to dump the babies back out to sea without their mothers. These babies will not be able to survive on thir own. The current figures for bottlenose dolphins according to the Ceta-Base Taiji Drive Fisheries are

This is not about tradition as the Japanese hunters just sourced what they needed to survive and they had respect for the cetaceans. This is about profit. No ifs no buts. It is what it is.

I tend to name some of the dolphins or pods so that I can recall them and also to honour them. As there are in the region of one hundred I will call them The Centurions.

I will report back later to update you on what happened to this pod.

In meantime you can take action

URGENT CALL TO ACTION: (Takes less than one minute)
E-mail your ambassador the following message.

Subject: Taiji, Japan

I oppose the hunting, live capture, and slaughter of dolphins and whales in Taiji, Japan. On December 11, 2012 in Japan, a large pod of Striped Dolphins was driven into the cove. The dolphins were so frantic, some of them threw themselves upon rocks to avoid being killed. This is cruel and inhumane. This is no way to treat any living creature on Earth. One young dolphin was taken for a life of captivity, and the other family members — 65 dolphins, including mothers and juveniles — were inhumanely killed by human hands. This family has been torn apart. There is blood in the water. There is blood on the nation of Japan. Dolphins have been murdered for meat consumption by humans and pets. They have been murdered for fertilizer.

On December 12, 2012, a large pod of Bottlenose Dolphins was driven into the cove, followed by a second and third pod. This is the very definition of greed, fueled by the captive industry. They have been netted into the cove, and I am now asking you to work with the Japanese government to release the entire pod. Dolphins are sentient, self-aware beings who deserve to live freely in the ocean, their home.

Please work with the Japanese government to permanently revoke Taiji’s permits to hunt, capture, and kill dolphins and whales. The senseless slaughter must end.

Thank you.

EMBASSY CONTACT INFORMATION:

Argentina: taishikan@bn.mofa.go.jp

H.E. Embajador, Sr. Masashi Mizukami, Embajada del Japón en la Argentina, Bouchard 547, Piso 17; C1106ABG – Ciudad de Buenos Aires; República Argentina; Tel: (54-11) 4318-8200 / 8220

Australia: cultural@cb.mofa.go.jp; cultural@japan.org.au

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Yoshitaka Akimoto, Embassy of Japan in Australia, 112 Empire Circuit, Yarralumla ACT 2600, Australia Tel: (02) 6273 3244, Fax: (02) 6273 1848

Austria info@wi.mofa.go.jp

H.E. The Ambassador, Shigeo Iwatani, Japanische Botschaft Hessgasse 6, 1010 Wien, Austria, Tel: +43-1-531 92 0, Fax: +43-1-532 05 90

Bangladesh: eojbd@dc.mofa.go.jp

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Shiro Sadoshima, Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, Plot No. 5 & 7, Dutabash Road, Baridhara, Dhaka-1212, P.O. Box 458, Bangladesh, Tel: 880-2-881-0087, Fax: 880-2-882-6737

Bosnia and Herzegovina: japanbih@bih.net.ba

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Hideo Yamazaki, Embassy of Japan in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bistrik 9, 71000, Sarajevo Tel: +387-33-277-500, Fax: +387-33-209-583

Brasil: consular.japao@bs.mofa.go.jp; cultural.japao@bs.mofa.go.jp; leandrojardim@bs.mofa.go.jp

H.E. The Ambassador, Akira Miwa, Embaixada do Japão em Brasília, SES Avenida das Nações, Qd. 811, Lt. 39 811, Lt. 39, Brasília-DF Brasilia-DF, CEP: 70425-900 Brasil. Tel: 61-3442-4200, Fax: 61-3442-2499 (Consular Section) and 61-3442-9051 (Department of Culture, Media and Outreach)

Brunei Darussalam: embassy@bw.mofa.go.jp

H. E. The Ambassador, Mr. Kenichi Suganuma, Embassy of Japan in Brunei Darussalam, House No. 33, Simpang 122, Kampong Kiulap, Bandar Seri Begawan BE1518; Negara Brunei Darussalam. P.O. Box 3001, BSB BS8675 Tel: 673-2229265, Fax: 673-2229481

Canada: infocul@embjapan.ca; infocul@ot.mofa.go.jp; access@japancg-toronto.org

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Kaoru Ishikawa, Embassy of Japan in Canada, 255 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 9E6, Canada Tel: 613-241-8541, Fax: 613-241-4261

Chile: contactoembajadajapon@sg.mofa.go.jp

H. E. Embajador, Mr. Hidenori Murakami, Embassy of Japan in Chile, Ricardo Lyon 52, Providencia, Santiago, Chile Tel: 56-2-232-1807, Fax: 56-2-232-1812 (Embassy) / 56-2-421-7574 (Consulate)

China: keizai@pk.mofa.go.jp; ryoji@pk.mofa.go.jp; info@pk.mofa.go.jp

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Niwa Uichiro, Embassy of Japan in China, Liangmaqiao East Street, Beijing, China 100600, Tel: 010-6532-2361, Fax: 010-6532-4625

Colombia: info@ba.mofa.go.jp

H.E. Embajador, Sr. Kazuo Watanabe, Embassy of Japan in Colombia, Carrera 7 No. 71-21 Torre B Piso 11 Bogotá, D. C. – Colombia, South America Tel: +57 (1) 317 50 01, Fax: +57 (1) 317 49 89

Democratic Republic of Congo: ambassadedujapon@yahoo.co.jp; ambjaponrdc@yahoo.fr

H. E. The Ambassador, Mr. Yoshimasa Tominaga, Ambassade du Japon en République Démocratique du Congo, Building Citibank 2ème étage, Avenue Colonel Lukusa, Kinshasa/Gombe, RDC Tel: +243-(0)818845305 ou (0)818801243 Fax: +870-763-959-668

Costa Rica: embjapon@sj.mofa.go.jp

H.E. Embajador, Sr. Yoshiharu Namiki, Embajada del Japón, Torre La Sabana, Piso 10, San José, Costa Rica Tel: +506 2232-1255; Fax: +506 2231-3140

Ecuador: embapon@embajadadeljapon.org.ec, embapon@qi.mofa.go.jp

H.E. Embajador, Sr. Osamu Imai, Embajada del Japón, Av. Amazonas N39-123 y Arízaga, EDF. Amazonas Plaza, Piso 11, Quito, Ecuado; P.O.BOX　1721-01518; Tel: +593-2-2278-700

France: consul@ps.mofa.go.jp; info-fr@ps.mofa.go.jp

L’Ambaasadeur, Monsieur Yasuo Saito, Ambassade du Japon en France, 7, Avenue Hoche 75008 Paris, Tel: 01 48 88 62 00

Guatemala: info@japon.net.gt

H.E. Embajador, Sr. Kazumi Suzuki, Embajada del Japón en Guatemala, Avenida Reforma 16-85 Zona 10, Edif. Torre Internacional Nivel 10, Guatemala; Tel: 502-2382-7300; Fax: 502-2382-7310

Germany: info@botschaft-japan.de; japanese-info@botschaft-japan.de

H.E. The Ambassador, Dr. Takahiro Shinyo, Botschaft von Japan, Hiroshimastraße 6, 10785 Berlin, Tel. (0 30) 210 94-0, Fax (0 30) 210 94-222

Iceland: japan@itn.is

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Hisao Yamaguchi, Embassy of Japan in Iceland, Laugavegi 182, 105 ReykjavíkTel: +354 510 8600, Fax: +354 510 8605

India: jpembjic@nd.mofa.go.jp

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Hideaki Domichi, Embassy of Japan in India, Plot No.4&5, 50-G Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021, India, Tel: 91-11-2687-6581, 2687-6564, 4610-4610, Fax: 91-11-2688-5587

Ireland: cultural@embjp.ie; consular@embjp.ie

H.E. The Ambassador, Toshinao Urabe, Embassy of Japan in Ireland, Nutley Building, Merrion Centre, Nutley Lane, Dublin 4, Ireland. Tel: +353 1 202 8300, Fax: +353 1 283 8726 (general section), +353 1 202 8350 (cultural section)

Iran: infoeoj@th.mofa.go.jp

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr Akio Shirota, Embassy of Japan in Iran, Corner of the 5th St., Bucharest Ave., Tehran, Iran سفارت ژاپن در ايران(c) تهران – ميدان آرژانتين – خيابان شهيد احمد قصير (بخارست) – نبش کوچه پنجم Tel: (+98)-(021)-8871-7922; Fax: (+98)-(021)-8870-6093/ 8871-3515

Israel: info@tl.mofa.go.jp; embjpcul@netvision.net.il

H. E. The Ambassador, Mr. Haruhisa Takeuchi, Embassy of Japan in Israel, Museum Tower 19th & 20th Floor, 4 Berkowitz Street, Tel-Aviv 64238, Israel Tel: 03-6957292 Fax: 03-6910516

Italy: culturale@ro.mofa.go.jp

H.E. The Ambassador,Mr.Hiroyasu Ando, Embassy of Japan in Italy,Via Quintino Sella, 60, 00187 Roma, Italy
Tel: (+39)-06-487-991, Fax:(+39)-06-487-3316

Jamaica: eoj19@cwjamaica.com

H. E. The Ambassador, Mr. Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Embassy of Japan in Jamaica: NCB Towers, North Tower, 6th floor, 2 Oxford Road, Kingston 5, Jamaica W.I. Tel:(1-876) 929-3338; Fax:(1-876) 968-1373

Kazakhstan: kobun@null.kz

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Shigeo Natsui, Embassy of Japan in Kazakhstan: 010000, Республика Казахстан, Астана, микрорайон «Чубары», улица Космонавтов 62, 5-й этаж Телефон: + 7 (7172) 977-843

Kenya: jinfocul@eojkenya.org

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Toshihisa Takata, Embassy of Japan in Kenya: Mara Road Upper Hill P.O. Box 60202 Nairobi 00200; Tel: +254-20-2898000; Fax: +254-20-2898531

Korea: info@so.mofa.go.jp; jcc@so.mofa.go.jp

H.E. The Ambassador, Embassy of Japan in Korea 18-11, Junghak-Dong, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, Republic of KoreaTel: (02) 2170-5200, Fax: (02) 734-4528

Lithuania: consular@emb-japan.lt; culture@emb-japan.lt

H.E. The Ambassador, Ms. Miyoko Akashi, Embassy of Japan in Lithuania: M.K.Ciurlionio st.82b, LT-03100 Vilnius, Lithuania; Tel: +370-5-231 0462; Fax: +370-5-231 0461

Malaysia: ryo@kl.mofa.go.jp; jis@kl.mofa.go.jp; jpemb7@arc.net.my

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Masahiko Horie, Embassy of Japan in Malaysia: No.11 Persiaran Stonor, Off Jalan Tun Razak, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Tel: 03-2177 2600 Fax: 03-2141 4593

New Zealand: japan.emb@eoj.org.nz; japan.pol@eoj.org.nz; japan.con@eoj.org.nz; japan.cul@eoj.org.nz

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Toshihiro Takahashi, The Embassy of Japan in New Zealand: Level 18 & 19 The Majestic Centre 100 Willis Street PO Box 6340, Marion Square, Wellington 6141; Phone: (04) 473-1540; Fax: (04) 471-2951

Nicaragua: embjpnic@mg.mofa.go.jp

H.E. Embajador, Sr. Shinichi Saito, Embajada del Japón, Plaza España 1c. abajo y 1c. al lago, Bolonia, Managua, Nicaragua (Apartado Postal 1789) Tel: (505) 2266-8668-71, Fax: (505) 2266-8566

Sultanate of Oman: embjapan@omantel.net.om

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Seiji Morimoto, Embassy of Japan, P.O.Box 3511, Postal code 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of OmanTel: 968(Country code)-24601028, Fax: 968(Country code)-24698720

Pakistan: economic@ib.mofa.go.jp; culture@ib.mofa.go.jp

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Chihiro Atsumi, Embassy of Japan in Pakistan, P.O. Box 1119, Islamabad, Pakistan Tel : +92-51-9072500, Fax :+92-51-9072352

Papua New Guinea: sceoj@online.net.pg

H.E. The Ambassador, Embassy of Japan, P.O.Box 1040, Port Moresby, NCD, Papua New Guinea Phone: (675)321-1800, Fax: (675)321-2278

Philippines:

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Toshinao Urabe, Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, 2627 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, 1300, Philippines Phone: 63-02-557-5710, Fax: 63-02-551-5780

Poland: info-cul@emb-japan.pl

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr Yuichi Kusumoto, Embassy of Japan in Poland, ul. Szwoleżerów 8, 00-464 WarszawaSzwolezerow 8, 00-464 Warszawa, Tel: +48 22 696 50 00, Fax: +48 22 696 50 01

Also: Department of Information and Culture, Embassy of Japan in Poland, Al. Ujazdowskie 51, 00-535 Warszawa Ujazdowskie 51, 00-535 Warsaw, Tel:  +48 22 584 73 00, Fax: +48 22 584 73 01

Portugal: cultural@embjapao.pt; economia@embjapao.pt; ryoji@embjapao.pt

H. E. The Ambassador, Mr. Akira Miwa, Embaixada do Japão, Av. da Liberdade, nº 245 / 6º, 1269-033 LISBOATel: 00-351-21 3110560, Fax: 00-351-21 3543975

State of Qatar: eojqatar@eoj.com.qa

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Yukio Kitazume, Embassy of Japan in State of Qatar, Diplomatic Area, West Bay, Doha, P.O. Box 2208Qatar Tel: (+974) 4484-0888 Fax: (+974) 4483-2178

Romania: embassy@embjpn.ro; culture@embjpn.ro

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Natsuo Amemiya, Ambasada Japoniei, 8th Floor, America House East Wing, Sos. Nicolae Titulescu, Nr.4-8Sector 1, Bucuresti, Romania Tel: (40_21) 319 1890/91, Fax: (40_21) 319 1895/96

Russia: japan-info@mw.mofa.go.jp; ryojijp@mw.mofa.go.jp

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Masaharu Kohno, Embassy of Japan in Russia, 129090 Moscow, Grokholski lane 27. , RussiaТел.: (495) 229-2550/51,Tel.: (495) 229-2550 / 51, Fax: (495) 229-2555 / 56

Singapore: ryoji@sn.mofa.go.jp; infoculture@sn.mofa.go.jp; jcc@sn.mofa.go.jp

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Makoto Yamanaka, Embassy of Japan in Singapore, 16 Nassim Road, 258390 Singapore Tel (+65) 6235-8855, Fax (+65) 6733-1039 or (+65) 6732 3327

Slovakia: info@bv.mofa.go.jp

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Akira Takamatsu, Embassy of Japan in Slovakia, Hlavné námestie 2
813 27 Bratislava 1 Phone: +421 2 5980 0100, Fax: +421 2 5443 2771

Slovenia: info@embjp.si

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Shigeharu Maruyama, Embassy of Japan in Slovenia, Trg republike 3/XI, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Republic of SloveniaTel: (386)1-2008281, 1-2008282, Fax: (386)1-2511822

South Africa: info@embjapan.org.za

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr Toshiro Ozawa, Embassy of Japan in South Africa, 259 Baines Street, corner Frans, Oerder Street, Groenkloof, Pretoria 0181, (Private Bag X999, Pretoria 0001),Tel: +27 (0)12 452 1500, Fax: +27 (0)12 460 3800

Sri Lanka: ambjpn@co.mofa.go.jp; econojpn@co.mofa.go.jp; odajpn@co.mofa.go.jp; cultujpn@sltnet.lk

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr, Kunio Takahashi, Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka, No. 20, Gregory’s Road, Colombo 07., Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, (P.O. Box 822 Colombo) Tel: 26938313, Fax: 2698629

Sudan: japan_taishi@yahoo.com

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Akinori Wada, Embassy of Japan in Sudan, Street 43, Khartoum One, P.O. Box 1649, Khartoum, SUDANTEL (+249 1) 83471601/2, FAX (+249 1) 83471600

Switzerland: eojs@br.mofa.go.jp

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Ichiro Komatsu, Embassy of Japan, Chancellerie, Case postale, Engestrasse 53, 3000 Berne 9, SwitzerlandTel: 031/300 22 22, Fax: 031/300 22 55

Tanzania: embassyofjapan_TZ@dr.mofa.go.jp

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Hiroshi Nakagawa, Embassy of Japan in Tanzania, Plot No.1018, Ali Hassan Mwinyi Rd, Dar es SalaamTel: +255-22-2115827/9, Fax: +255-22-2115830

East Timor: japan.embassy.in.timor-leste@mofa.go.jp

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Iwao Kitahara, Japan Foreign Embassy in Timor Leste, Avenida de Portugal, Pantai Kelapa, Dili, Timor-Leste (P.O. Box 175) Tel: +670-3323131; +670-3323132, Fax: 670-3323130

Trinidad and Tobago: embassyofjapan@tstt.net.tt

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Tatsuaki Iwata, Embassy of Japan in Trinidad and Tobago, 5 Hayes Street, St. Clair, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.(P.O.Box 1039) Tel:(1-868)628-5991, Fax:(1-868)622-0858

United Kingdom: info@ld.mofa.go.jp

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Shin Ebihara, Embassy of Japan in the UK, 101-104 Piccadilly, London W1J 7JT, UKTel: 020 7465 6500, Fax: 020 7491 9347

United States of America: jicc@ws.mofa.go.jp

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Kenichiro Sasae, Embassy of Japan in the USA, 2520 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20008 Tel: 202-238-6700, Fax: 202-328-2187

Zambia: jez@lu.mofa.go.jp

H.E. The Ambassador, Mr. Hideto Mitamura, Embassy of Japan in Zambia, P.O. Box 34190, Lusaka, Zambia Tel: + 260-211-251555 / 252036 / 252039, Fax: + 260-211-254425 / 253488

Rose Dixon