| Broome breaks ties with Taiji |
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| Sunday, 23 August 2009 07:01 | |||
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The shire of Broome called a special public meeting today to discuss the sister city relationship with Taiji. Never before had the shire done this. There had been calls in the press that Broome residents should not interfere with Taiji's slaughter because Australians would dismiss calls from the Japanese to stop culling kangaroos and that the Japanese don't come here telling us what to do. In response to that, Director of The Cove, Louie Psihoyos stated that "the film is not just about the fact that they are killing dolphins - the people of Taiji and especially the mayor and his council are purposely and knowingly poisoning their own people as well. If kangaroos we're toxic and being served up to school children and unsuspecting consumers and their mercury laced organs put into fertilizer and pet food - then everyone in the world would be up in arms. But for the Japanese government to try to ignore the key issue demonstrates their lack of humanity towards man and animal. It's not about culture and tradition - it's about a crime against humanity when you know you are serving up poison." The shire council had received thousands of emails and phone calls from Broome residents, the wider Australian community and abroad in support of suspending ties with Taiji in an effort to end the slaughter of 23,000 dolphins. The result of the meeting was that the Broome shire has decided, that they can not fulfil their obligation as a sister town of Taiji whilst this barbaric practice continues. This was a unanimous decision. Broome is a hotspot for Dolphin and whale eco tours and would be willing to open the door to pass on knowledge to Taiji of how the Broome economy runs on this tourism aspect, providing the killing stops! Councillor Peter Matsumoto, with close Taiji heritage, stood and spoke in support of Broome not being able to fulfil in its obligation as a sister city of Taiji. Councillor Matsumoto brought himself to tears as he spoke about his heritage and the history of Broome with Taiji and the early pearling days. However the emotion ran highest when Councillor Matsumoto spoke about the section in The Cove ,where there is a man talking about "children that are born with eyes that can not see and ears that can not hear". Sea Shepherd would like to thank Una Baker, the residents of Broome and the Shire Council for taking the step in the right direction that may just see the end of this horrific and barbaric practice. May the original surfers stay safe and free to ride a wave along side one of us soon.
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