Italian Government joins others in condemning Taiji dolphin hunt
It seems that Italy has now joined the growing number of nations stepping up to condemn the Japanese dolphin hunts.
Gazzeta del Sud reports that ‘Italy has formally raised concerns over a controversial dolphin hunt in Japan’s Bay of Taiji, urging officials to “reconsider” the event. Italian Ambassador in Tokyo Domenico Giorgi sent his message, “in the spirit of deep friendship” that he said unites the two countries, asking the Japanese minister of agriculture and fisheries to think about ending the hunt.’
Italy joins with Germany, the UK and the USA in offically condemning the hunt, escallating the issue to a whole new level.
This is the first time we have seen conservation-led countries so openly speaking out against the hunts. For many years pro-conservation countries have politely expressed their concerns behind the scenes, but the recent hunt and the killing methods used, alongside the blantant role of the captivity industry involvement has spurned open condemnation.
Maybe Japan will listen for once, but if its behaviour in the IWC is anything to go by, they will simply ratchet up the rehetoric and turn their nose up at the candid comments of those who are their friends.
