Surfings inclusion in the 2020 Olympics has caused much excitement in some areas, but there is a huge white elephant in the room and that is the Japans abhorrent treatment of whales and dolphins.
It was very disconcerting to see my timelines filled with teams arriving at the ISA World Games coinciding alongside posts of dolphin slaughter signifying the launch of the Taijia massacre. I was stoked for the teams but it was pretty uncomfortable seeing images of dolphins being herded up and being brutally killed just up the coast. The dolphins die long, brutal and painful deaths.
While some are prepared to brush over the event a lot of surfers, including Japanese, have very strong opinions to the contrary. In a Facebook poll on Carvemag in December we asked if the ISA and WSL should boycott the 2020 Japan Games in protest at their whaling policy. Out of 3,500 votes 90% said “Yes!”
One of our followers, Jackson Steel, pointed out the following.
“As a grom growing up in Byron in the 60s and 70s, I grew up thinking surfers were the ultimate custodians and guardians of the ocean. Surfing was more than a sport, it was a spiritual connection. I am deeply disappointed that surfing is being introduced into the Olympics in Japan of all places. So consider this, next year when all these surfers are competing for medals, down the coast at Taiji, they’ll be slaughtering intelligent, sensitive dolphins in the most abhorrent, brutal way. And further out off their coast, they’ll be harpooning whales, explosive heads obliterating the whales’ insides. I for one won’t be watching their Olympics and I urge all lovers of the oceans and their inhabitants to do the same.”
The Taiji hunting season lasts from September to February with hunting in Taiji being allowed as long as the fishermen have permits. Across Japan, the national Fisheries Agency has authorised the killing or capture of around 16,000 cetaceans per year and this includes dolphins, minke whales, and short-finned pilot whales. Japan has also resumed commercial whaling. (Norway, and Iceland also hunt whales)
The marine animals are reportedly driven into the Cove by a ‘wall of sound’, designed to confuse the dolphins, before the entrance is closed off with nets. They are then captured or pretty brutally dispatched.
Are surfers still custodians and guardians of the ocean? Should we be using this as an opportunity to stand our ground and defend the oceans and the amazing creatures we are so lucky to share it with?
A lot of associations and surfers all over the world are eying up $$$s brought in by Olympic association and sporting grants, and some good will come of that development cash, but I can’t help feeling that in the long run ‘surfings’ image and culture would be enhanced way beyond if the surfers took a stand.
We have asked both the ISA and WSL Pure for a comment and clarification on policy, but have not had a response.
While some say ‘sport and politics shouldn’t mix” we tend to think sportsman and women make excellent role models so should have a voice.
What do you think? Surfing with dolphins has to be one the best things in the world right?
We haven’t used the more upsetting and graphic videos.
Our post comments are on. Intelligent comments only please.
*To add some balance we must also point out that the British and European fishing industry is not entirely blameless in the deaths of dolphins.
This winter enormous numbers of dolphins were washed up dead on the French shores. 90 percent of the fatalities resulted from the dolphins being accidentally captured in industrial fishing nets. The reason behind the spike, which began three years ago, has ‘coincided’ with ‘aggressive hake fishing” which was also given the green light three years ago after a long ban.
1,100 mutilated dolphins washed up on French shores since January. ‘Fishing industry to blame.’ Numbers are highest on record beating 2018 in just three months.
Stop the Slaughter in the water. Our sea is dying.
Yes they should Boycott 2020 Olympics..totally
No respect for our cetaceans they believe the ocean is theirs
I believe our representative surfing organizations should either boycott the Japan Olympics or plan sustained protests and demonstrations beginning now. If our athletes do compete then they should be vocal and public with their protests.
I fully support boycotting the games until a time when these barbaric practices are history.
Pull out of the olympics
Yes
Evil/Disgusting/Idiots.
This Has Totally Turned Me Off To the Japanese Fishing / Wildlife Practices. Get With the Program..Japan. STOP the MADNESS. and Be A Good Human, to This Earth.
Boycott the games
Yes that won’t stop thay aren’t being held accountable for fishing in placers thay shouldn’t if thay are not doing the right thing shoot the fucken boats and sink them if we did the same thing we would not just get away with it. Treat them as that would us . Flick them.
I will be boycotting.
Maybe they can tell the World the rest of the story.
Very little has to do with some sort of sacred tradition.
Obviously.
Japan Creates Hell on this Earth. Showing NO RESPECT for Species or the World. This shitty little country has no spirituality or conscience bits Leadership is shocking. When I think Know Japan Shivers to down my spine In Horror.
The International Marine Mammal Project of Earth Island Institute http://www.SaveDolphins.eii.org has been working on the issue of Japan’s whaling and dolphin killing for many years — “The Cove” documentary is about our work in Japan to end the dolphin slaughter in Taiji. We don’t think a boycott of the Tokyo Olympics is feasible — most of the people who attend the games every 4 years are unlikely to pass up the sport. However, we have contacted the Japanese government urging them to end the dolphin hunts and whaling permanently before the games begin, or face huge global approbation over the hunts. We plan to circulate a sign-on letter and statement to this effect for former Olympic medalists, to continue to push the Japan government to take action. If you are interested, you can contact me, Mark J. Palmer at [email protected] . One of our blogs: http://savedolphins.eii.org/news/entry/tokyo-olympics-earth-island-renews-our-call-to-japan-end-whaling-and-dolphi Thanks!
as a surfer myself I boycott this shame governement decision to allow this indicent happening to still exist on their coast !
Boycott
Stop the murdering of dolphins. Damn those Japanese!
Boycott!!!
Humans Suk
Yes ,!!!!!! Boycott the 2020 Japanese Olympics for the dolphins and the whales!!
I agree. Boycott everything from Japan. Olympic Games will definitely bastardize our way of live, our surfing. Pandora box will be open and pro/amateurs surfers will be part of the olympics, a disgusting organization.
I am a Brazillian journalist and people all over the world are concerned about fires in our rain forest, Amazon. However, those fires are normal during our winter. ANd nobody, I mean presidentes, kings, journalists are worried about Fukushima na its water and killing fish.
The surf athletes should participate and be spokespeople to end the dolphin and whale slaughter – everywhere. They will have a wide audience to spread the message.
It’s time we recognized that these are super intelligent, sentient beings with language, families, culture. It’s immoral to keep them in captivity let alone treat them as a food source. Boycott Japan and any country that won’t acknowledge this fact.
❤️Yes Please Boycott The Japan 2020. Olympics!
How about all tourist. I can understand that an athlete would / should go. There is too much sacrifice and effort on their part and they did not choose Japan for the Olympics. Their relatives probably would go to support them. The rest of us, let’s not support it. It would be a strong message if the events, especially the inauguration, are close to empty.
Is it a sport or an art?
All these years later that question comes back to stand before us.
Do we have soul or does that now fly above the wave.
Who would have thought we would face each other on the shores of Taiji for our Ocean brothers.
Money or your life?
Yes I think we should use this opportunity to stand our ground to help end the barbaric hunting of dolphins in Taiji. It shouldn’t be allowed to take anything from the ocean let alone do so much damage ripping dolphins away from their families & home. They need help & protection. We need to take any opportunity to make people in Japan and all over the world aware of what is happening and the surfing community would be ideal as the connections they have with the oceans.
Boycotting the 2020 Olympics in Japan will probably have to be a personal decision rather than one taken Nationally.
Humans slaughter many other animals for food and sport. As a race we also export ive animals for zoos, circuses and shows. Cetaceans are no different. BUT we surf with them.
Do we send surf teams to other Nations’ contests if we disagree with their human rights policies, or their deforestation, or a multitude of other activities ? Of course we do. Nations do not boycott the UK because we barbarically slaughter foxes for sport.
Despite our feelings of other human atrocities Worldwide, we surf with dolphins and we are closer to them than perhaps any other human. If a surfer, individually feels strongly enough and they are in the position to, then they should boycott the 2020 Olympics to give our cetaceans friends a voice and shout it loud. It’s their choice to do that.
I was British National Surf Team Manager at the World Championships in France, England and Puerto Rico in the 1980s. When the 1990 World Contest was scheduled to be held in Japan, I asked for a boycott by the GB National Team, due to the Japanese violation of Worldwide agreed whale hunting treaties,
dolphin slaughter and their capture for sea parks. It was considered a personal decision and so I stepped down as British Team Manager. There was no social media in those days.
There is now.
I can not believe they are still allowed to brutally slaughter hundreds of whales and dolphins its horrific and barbaric and should not be happening anymore.
Boycott the the Olympics.. It is a small voice that is from waveriders and should be heard.. We were once special.
yes SURFERS should BOYCOTT THE 2020 OLYMPICS IN JAPAN OVER TAIJI AND WHALE HUNTING!!!
Whaling should end now before there are non left.
Tbh I think all water sport events should boycott, swimming, water polo, diving, canoeing and any others I’ve forgotten.
Ideally the whole shebang shld be boycotted!!
Our own little personal achievements can take a back step! Only way to hit Japan is in the pocket and shame them.
White Face, Black Heart!
Yes the whole Olympic Games should be boycotted and banned until Japan stops mass murder!
Yes,of course
The rugby world cup shoyld be boycotted as well.
We need to protect all marine life
They should boycott the Olympics If they love the oceans. These atrocities must be stopped at Taiji!
Hell yeah you should. This is horrific.
Of course they should. Do we all need to boycott all Japanese goods, and we need to boycott all Japanese products. Because they are killers.
Of course they should. Do we all need to boycott all Japanese goods, and we need to boycott all Japanese products, and we need boycott all Japanese touristic destinations. As long as they kill dolphins !
Ok. NO WAY SUPPORT THE OLYMPICS FOR REASON EXPLAINED.
THIS ALSO MAKES ME WONDER WHY THE OLYMPICS WOULD EVEN EXSIT AT THIS POINT. AFTER ALL THERE WOULD NOT BE ANYTHING OR ANYONE IF THERE WERE NO PLANET THE WAY WE ARE HEADED.
THIRD… WHAT A BETTER TIME THEN NOW.
I THOUGHT IT WENT SOMETHING LIKE THIS;
DON’T TELL ME , SHOW ME.
Surfers and other marine athletes and enthusiasts should boycott Japan. Japanese are an enlightened culture so this behavior is surprising. It’s alarming it continues to this day. Speak up, tell Japan, no more.
Tough move for these awesome athletes but this is their territory and if they don’t step up… who will.
If they all unite as one voice, with no dissension , they will be heard. That’s how change happens, how would that be.??
Having surfed since the age of 5 and charging Big waves, I know Surfers are powerful enough to be the change we need to see.
No ocean , No Surf.
Life is sacred
Bloody discusting
we must boycott otherwise we are complicit. surfers are protected by dolphins. this is just barbaric.
This is absolutely horrific cruelty and evil
SURFERS, ADMINISTRATORS, ORGANIZERS AND FANS SHOULD BOYCOTT THE 2020 OLYMPICS IN JAPAN OVER TAIJI DOLPHINS AND WHALE HUNTING!
I am a lifelong surfer of 50!!years…have surfed I’m harmony with our porpoises and dolphins cruising the coast while surfing…it is one of the most exhilarating experiences of my surfing life…words cannot adequately describe the feeling of oneness when being that close to my fellow water inhabitants…I am sick over the maltreatment of these beautiful animals for monetary gain by any country…and YES…we should make a strong statement by boycotting any involvement with a people that condone cruelty to innocent creatures…surfers…divers…sailors…watermen of all walks…should unite and stop the insanity of greedy money grubbing murderers of Gods Gifts to mankind. Michael Hayman
You have any influence curve? Even if we could get the surfers to mention what is going on there if they get interviewed would be just as effective. Thank you for bringing awareness to this. Tell your followers and fans to watch the cove. It’s on Amazon video
This should not be allowed in the 21st century.
YES! This should not be allowed at all, a global ban on it should be implied and announced on every televised and radio station simultaneously so that weather you change the station or not you wont miss a single word, with a death sentence implied on all whale hunting, shark fining and drag nets!
Absolutely!! This is just the most revolting, disturbing thing and yes, I think that they should boycott the 2020 Olympics. If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything!!!!
Yes, we should certainly make a stand against these heinous and barbaric practices in Japan and elsewhere. Otherwise the slaighter will just continue and the World will be a worse place for it.
As surfers we are the strongest group that should uphold the the integrity of our fellow mammals. Yes boycott
Don’t buy anything from Japan
the whole olimpics should boycott japan on the killings
Stop killing our dolphins Wales even sharks you are changing things that are supposed to be changed so why kill off something we need to have a healthy marine environment
Slaughtering innocent animals who cant defend themselves is murder!
They should not go at all …I am very angry that anyone would even think of going there
Horrific. Boycott the Olympuc games
thanks carve for the good reporting. i plan on creating a video with your sentiments in mind. peace
In the comments
Some one said sports and politics don’t mix!
This is sports and barbaric cruelty
BOYCOTT!
I sugest that the surfing event should run it’s course.
But, when the prizegiving happens, with all the attentive television and social media, the winners should refuse their medals.
This aproach would command maximum exposure for the barabaric practice.
It was very heartbreaking to see recently in Taiji family of Pilot Whales so timid huddle together in the cove waiting for their fate over night you could see them Spyhopping they were desperately trying to look above the sea water to see what was happening to their family/ pods they got slaughtered in the morning there was no one to stop it the hunters get protection from Japanese authorities if people try to stop it they will get arrested. They kill Dolphins for money nothing to do with tradition. Activist Sea Shepard are ban from entering Japan.The Dolphin Project are there sending live videos on Facebook using power of social media to spread this to the whole world. I feel Olympics with the surfers can intense spot light on Taiji to put an end to this senseless barbaric practice.
I have boycotted everything Japanese since I was made aware of their barbaric ways. Killing, capturing, tormenting and slaughtering entire families of our majestic creatures. What an absolute disgrace and shame on Japan.