Taiji of Tomorrow
November 23, 2010 3 Comments
As I stepped onto the street of Kii-Katsuura this morning, I looked to the sky with dread. Not a cloud to be seen nor a wind to be felt. I turned my gaze toward the ocean and saw the mountains reflected upon the glassy surface of the water; a terrible way to start the day if you’re a Cove Guardian.
As we drove past the Taiji harbor, we counted eleven ”Bangers” missing. They were out to sea searching for dolphins to murder. We took watch atop a hill overlooking the city of Taiji and it didn’t take long before the fisherman were spotted in drive formation on the horizon, thick smoke pouring from their boats as they chased after a pod of dolphins.
Both the fisherman and the dolphins were determined to beat one another. The dolphins would escape for a moment before the fisherman had cornered them once again. The dolphins continued their battle with the fisherman and eventually broke free and disappeared into the deep blue ocean. Defeated, the boats raced towards shore into the harbor. Two boats were still unaccounted for but within minutes, appeared in the distance and followed the others into the harbor.
Today was a great day to be a dolphin!
It has been said many times by other Cove Guardians that Taiji is a beautiful place worthy of a booming tourist industry. If the fisherman of Taiji would give up hunting dolphins and use their knowledge, skills and vessels for good rather than evil, I would be proud to speak highly of the fisherman of Taiji. People make mistakes and it takes courage to admit when you’re wrong. If the fisherman would put aside their pride and admit their errors, this could all come to an end.
I hope the fisherman and local government of Taiji realize the mistakes they are making before their town becomes the next Iki. It will happen if they fail to change their practices. It’s becoming evident that the once abundant population of dolphins here is already diminished. Nearly half-way through the season, Cove Guardians estimate that only about 200 dolphins have been captured or killed in Taiji this year. The quota is approximately 2,000.
Tourism is the only industry which will ensure the long-term economic stability of the entire community. Not only will creating a thriving tourism-driven economy benefit the fisherman, it will also benefit hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, rental cars businesses, etc. Taiji has a great opportunity for prosperity. The path they’re taking today only ensures one thing for their future: no dolphins. And no dolphins in Taiji means everyone loses.
About Steven
Wonderful that the dolphins were able to avoid capture. Perhaps some of them have learned from past experience what danger the waters off Taiji hold in store for them. Hopefully the few Taiji Fishermen and dolphins trainers and town officials will soon find wisdom and realize that working with the environment to promote the health of the oceans and all that live in it, including the sentient mammals, dolphins, whales, and porpoises is the wiser path to take both environmentally and financially for the future of Taiji and its citizens. If they could just remove those clouded eyeglasses they so stubbornly wear seeing only the ‘old ways’ and move Taiji into the 21st century, Taiji could become an example of how to live with rather than destroy the oceans resources for all the world to admire. They are missing a golden opportunity. Sad.
Wow, that is a large decrease in number! That is really scary, knowing it is likely caused from the species heading for extinction. I’d feel really bad if my grandchildren someday weren’t able to see a live dolphin! All of this over $$$$.
I don’t think they’ll drive any species into extinction, but in Iki, the dolphins that used to migrate there are all gone.