The Cove is an incredible movie, which opened my eyes to something I had no idea was going on. Despite being on the other side of the world, in Taiji, Japan, I believe people here in North America, and everywhere else in the world should know about what is happening. This movie immersed me into, “the little town with a really big secret.” This secret is the current environmental catastrophe of dolphin slaughtering. Besides approximately 23 000 dolphins being killed each year, other problems have also resulted. There is currently a huge crisis with mecury, the marine ecosystem is diminishing, and while all of this is happening, the government is sitting back watching the madness unfold.
Taiji, Japan is the largest dolphin supplier around the world. The Japanese keep this industry going as they profit greatly from the dolphins. Receiving $150 000 for a show dolphin, and $600 for a dead one. This all started in 1964 when a man by the name of Richard O’Barry became the most famous dolphin trainer in the world. He was one of the many responsible for creating the new dolphin “fad.” Dolphins became the stars of show, and the public eye loved it, and wanted more. This led to the creation of parks like Sea World, where animals which should be left in the wild are kept in captivity for the enjoyment of the public. There are hundreds of parks around the world, which advertise through media each and every day. A big one here in Ontario is Marine Land, “everyone loves Marine Land.” However Niagara Falls is just one of the places within our vicinity where this is occurring. The media knows they can generate revenue from keeping these animals and exploiting them. If that is what’s going to make them money, then that is exactly what they will continue to do.
We all are hopefully aware of a term described as, “media blackout.” A media blackout is the censorship of news related to a certain topic. In regards to what is happening in Japan, the media refuses to release to its public, information about mercury. Ever since the industrial revolution, mercury levels have increased. Unfortunately mercury just doesn’t remain in the ocean; the process of bioaccumulation collects the mercury which then shows up in the bodies of fish, dolphins, and regrettably in people as well. Japanese consumers aren’t always aware of the fish they are buying. Much of the fish that the Japanese public consumes also has dolphin. The dolphin and fish have mercury in them after living and being part of a toxic ecosystem. These organisms are swimming in “toxic dumpsites.” Due to the process of biomagnification, once the poisonous fish is consumed by people the mercury levels are higher. The Government is aware of what their people are ingesting, yet they fail to do anything about it. Over time a similar tragedy could occur like what happened in Minimata. Children could start being born with diseases and deformities. In addition to the problems related to mercury, the wiping out of dolphins is affecting the ecosystem. The OPS (Oceanic Preservation Society) has noticed through close observation that there has been degradation of the ocean in the same place each year. It is evident that the decreasing number of dolphins is affecting the rest of the ocean. The marine ecosystem is in fact diminishing.
Social change comes from the passion of individuals, individuals who strive greatly for change. It is up to the Japanese whether of not the whaling industry will continue or if they will choose to put an end to it. If the Japanese would be bold enough to do something like boycott fish, it would make a clear statement that they will not sit back while the exploiting of dolphins occurs. There is a Japanese saying, “the needle that sticks out, must be pounded down.” This saying expresses the fact that it if difficult to make change. The population is “singing with the chorus,” as Michael Moore would say. I understand very well that these people have a livelihood to maintain, however there are other means than the atrocious slaughtering of dolphins. Richard O’Barry said, “I was as ignorant as I could be for as long as I could be.” By sitting back and allowing all of this to happen, we are being just as ignorant. I am curious as to when the government will put an end to this, or when Greenpeace will finally step in and do the jobs they are suppose to be doing. Is the dolphin species going to have to become extinct before somebody does something about this? I think everyone should see this film, and films like this one. Change can be made, but will require the help of all people. Just because it isn’t happening in our “backyard” doesn’t make it irrelevant. We will continue to be culprits if we allow this to happen. Everyone has to stop being so aware and interested in the extraneous things of life, and focus on what is really important.
We all are hopefully aware of a term described as, “media blackout.” A media blackout is the censorship of news related to a certain topic. In regards to what is happening in Japan, the media refuses to release to its public, information about mercury. Ever since the industrial revolution, mercury levels have increased. Unfortunately mercury just doesn’t remain in the ocean; the process of bioaccumulation collects the mercury which then shows up in the bodies of fish, dolphins, and regrettably in people as well. Japanese consumers aren’t always aware of the fish they are buying. Much of the fish that the Japanese public consumes also has dolphin. The dolphin and fish have mercury in them after living and being part of a toxic ecosystem. These organisms are swimming in “toxic dumpsites.” Due to the process of biomagnification, once the poisonous fish is consumed by people the mercury levels are higher. The Government is aware of what their people are ingesting, yet they fail to do anything about it. Over time a similar tragedy could occur like what happened in Minimata. Children could start being born with diseases and deformities. In addition to the problems related to mercury, the wiping out of dolphins is affecting the ecosystem. The OPS (Oceanic Preservation Society) has noticed through close observation that there has been degradation of the ocean in the same place each year. It is evident that the decreasing number of dolphins is affecting the rest of the ocean. The marine ecosystem is in fact diminishing.
Social change comes from the passion of individuals, individuals who strive greatly for change. It is up to the Japanese whether of not the whaling industry will continue or if they will choose to put an end to it. If the Japanese would be bold enough to do something like boycott fish, it would make a clear statement that they will not sit back while the exploiting of dolphins occurs. There is a Japanese saying, “the needle that sticks out, must be pounded down.” This saying expresses the fact that it if difficult to make change. The population is “singing with the chorus,” as Michael Moore would say. I understand very well that these people have a livelihood to maintain, however there are other means than the atrocious slaughtering of dolphins. Richard O’Barry said, “I was as ignorant as I could be for as long as I could be.” By sitting back and allowing all of this to happen, we are being just as ignorant. I am curious as to when the government will put an end to this, or when Greenpeace will finally step in and do the jobs they are suppose to be doing. Is the dolphin species going to have to become extinct before somebody does something about this? I think everyone should see this film, and films like this one. Change can be made, but will require the help of all people. Just because it isn’t happening in our “backyard” doesn’t make it irrelevant. We will continue to be culprits if we allow this to happen. Everyone has to stop being so aware and interested in the extraneous things of life, and focus on what is really important.
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