Don't get me wrong Mike, i'm not having a go at you, and i don't think less of you for not wanting to take up the call to help stop this needless cruelty against dolphins, or whales for that matter (which the Taiji operation also hunt), we all fight our own battles. I am hoping that some people here will get involved and voice their opposition and withdraw their support from the dolphin industry, or lobby for more responsible practices. Everyone who does that drives another nail in the Taiji operation's coffin, and will help end the massacre of over 20,000 dolphins each year (yes, that many). Whether it's this year, or in 10 years, will depend on how many are willing to voice their opposition.
From what i know about Japan, it is a beautiful country full of wonderful people. It makes it hard to see it when this is going on. It would clearly be beneficial to end the slaughter, and the power it has over many to direct hatred at Japan is incredibly strong. I myself don't condone that, but i have seen many a good person react and say the most horrible of things when they have learned about it. i think that speaks volumes by itself. I don't know if you can really understand the depth, scale, and horror of it until you see it for yourself.
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Actually, when it comes to chicken farming, it's not so much about the volume for me... it is how they are treated, what they are fed, how they are housed, how they are processed, and how they are distributed. But there are trade-offs to an extent. All of those things i'd like to see being improved will impact profitability. I am willing to pay for it, but many are not, and a change means there is a short to mid-term cost to people. I think it would be a much harder battle to win at this point in time because of the sheer size of the industry, and the solution would be very complex. With the dolphins, it is simple.
All i can do is try to make the best choice available to me, and when i don't have that choice, i need to seek change.. it doesn't really matter what it is. I am passionate about certain things more than others, such as sustainability and renewables, animal welfare, and human rights. Why dolphins? I just can't stand to see it happen. They are wonderful creatures, i have swum with them a few times in my life and it leaves an unforgettable impression on you. What they are doing in Taiji is needless, and ruthless.