Taiji dolphin hunt begins: about 100 dolphins and 50 pilot whales driven into cove

James, Japan Probe 9 Sep 09;

So much for the claims that “The Cove” has halted Japan’s dolphin hunt.

Nikkan Sports reports that weather conditions have improved in Taiji and the town’s fishermen have finally begun their dolphin hunt.

Thirteen fishing boats left Taiji’s harbor this morning around 5:30AM. They located a large group of dolphins and pilot whales, which they promptly surrounded and drove them into a cove. The captured group consists of about 50 pilot whales and 100 bottlenose dolphins. The International Whaling Commission’s ban on whaling does not include bottlenose dolphins or pilot whales. Neither species is classified as endangered.

During this hunting season, Taiji’s fisherman plan to catch about 2400 dolphins.

Update: The Sankei is reporting that 10 dolphins will be captured and sold to aquariums, and that the rest will apparently be returned to the sea. The pilot whales will be sold (for meat?).