End Dolphin Slaughtering in Japan
- van: Blue Voice
- ontvanger: Junichiro Koizumi, Prime Minister of Japan, Government of Japan
Every year, Japanese fishermen, with the support of the Japanese government, slaughter thousands of dolphins in a brutal manner. And now Japan plans to extend the hunt to include humpback whales!
This practice is killing magnificent, feeling animals, and endangering dolphin and whale populations. Furthermore, this hunt is also hurting the people of Japan. Dolphin and whale dolphin meat sold to the Japanese public contains high levels of toxic heavy metals and organochlorines.
Demand that Japanese law end this brutal slaughter of intelligent marine mammals and protect the health of the people of Japan.
We hereby petition the Prime Minister of Japan, the Ministry of Fisheries and the governors of Wakayama, Nagasaki and Shizuoka Prefectures to end the brutal slaughter of dolphins and small whales in coastal villages of Japan.
The slaughters are conducted in a shockingly brutal manner which is repugnant to civilized people worldwide. Dolphins and whales are large brained, highly social animals which are respected around the world. They are curious and friendly to humans when approached with care and respect. Many nations have laws which protect these animals.
The meat of the dolphins killed which is sold for human consumption is highly contaminated with heavy metals and organochlorines resulting from industrial discharge into the oceans. This meat does not meet Japanese health standards and is often mislabeled as whale meat.
Many Japanese people care highly for dolphins. Most Japanese are unaware that dolphins are killed in this cruel manner in their country. Only a few fishermen in a small number of villages profit from this barbarity.
We demand an end to the cruel slaughter of dolphins and small whales in Japanese waters.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
