Taiji dolphin drive hunt

From September to February, fishing vessels herd dolphins into a confined bay where the animals are either captured for aquariums or killed for meat.

The coastal community of Taiji established commercial whaling operations in 1606, initially using hand harpoons before introducing nets in 1675 for marine mammal hunting.

The Japan Fisheries Agency sets annual quotas permitting the capture of multiple dolphin species, including bottlenose, striped, Risso's, and spotted dolphins.

Mercury contamination in dolphin meat presents health concerns, leading the Japanese Ministry of Health to issue warnings about consumption, particularly for children and pregnant women.

The current method involves cutting the spinal cord of dolphins with a metal pin, replacing previous techniques that were prohibited due to animal welfare regulations.

Location: Taiji

GPS coordinates: 33.59933,135.94650

Latest update: May 28, 2025 18:36