Japanese lure retailers - The Cove Dolphin documentary

[Divisadero]

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum for this, I suppose that is for the Mod's to decide. I wonder if any of you have ever seen the Oscar winning documentary The Cove which aired again last night on TV. The main focus is the hidden horrific mass slaughter of Dolphins in the fishing village of Taijii, Japan. Conservationists and Animal Welfare advocates will come close to a breakdown after watching the unnecessary cruelty exposed in the film. Somewhat ironically the movie is also highly entertaining in parts and is akin to a James Bond movie as the filmmakers play a cat and mouse game with the Japanese police and fisherman trying to access the cove to film the slaughter. However a more direct impact on the Japanese especially their children is the fact that the Dolphin meat is being marketed as whale meat with mercury limits far higher than those approved by the Japanese government (as confirmed by Japanese scientists in the film). It seems that most Japanese citizens are unaware of this practice, the levels are so high that some believe that they could lead to the return of the horrific Minamata disease in Japanese children.

Those of you still reading this e-mail may say so what has this to do with me?! The truth is that I am particularly directing this at anyone who buys lures directly from Japan. As it so happens just as I finished watching the film last night I received a confirmation e-mail from a retailer in Japan. I was so worked up after watching the documentary that I decided to send him an e-mail including a link to the Japanese section of the films website! Needless to say I tried to carefully word the e-mail as I did not wish to sound if I was in any criticising Japanese culture.

I was not sure if I would receive a positive or indeed any response but today I received what seemed a most genuine and appreciative e-mail from him. He explained that he had heard something of the film but that it was being misrepresented by the Japanese government. However, he had no idea about the mercury issue until he received my e-mail and said he would e-mail his contacts directing them to the site and would probably also blog on the issue. Yes, he may have been humouring me as I am a customer but he seemed very genuine. As the film explained and as he confirmed most people in Japan are firstly mostly unaware of what is happening in Taiji and secondly completely unaware of the mercury issue.

I feel very strongly about this and believe that any lure anglers who occasionally buy lures from Japan are in a unique position to do their 'little bit' if they wish to do so. You may actually be doing the retailer a favour as even if he has no interest in animal welfare or conservation the health of his family should be an entirely different matter.

Sorry for being so longwinded and I also apologise if this sounds preachy as that is not my intention, but as you would probably agree if you are going to rely on governments or bureaucratic bodies to fix this problem it will never happen, it is so easy to be cynical but as the situation in the Gulf has demonstrated people power can make a difference via the use of social media. Finally, I include a link to the Cove website if any of you want more information and also a link to the Japanese version of the site if any of you are indeed interested and/or comfortable with following my example. Regardless, it is definitely a film worth seeing on DVD if you get a chance.

Many thanks,

Walter (aka Divisadero)

http://www.thecovemovie.com/

http://www.thecovemovie.com/jp

[daminim]

Wow, didnt know about this, but i did see a doc yesterday about the giant sailfish, who also is caught for the plate and contains high levels of mercury. Bizzare how you hear of things in succession. Crazy how something like this can go on without question or comment in a "modern" country.

[Danny M.]

Afternoon,

I stuck a link up here to it last year:

http://www.sea-angling-ireland.org/bull ... ve#p214528

Its crazy what they are doing over there.
Poisoning their own children through brain washing by the government.

[Donnyboy1]

The movie was banned over there so not many people know about it - or the issues.

[Stevieg]

Shocking Documentary...people will only see the folly of their ways when all the Dolphins/Whales and fish are gone..

[gfkelly1969]

if anyone has not already seen the cove you can watch it here http://www.megavideo.com/?v=WJTD54R1