Truly disturbing. Dolphins are mammals, not fish. They are considered the second most intelligent species on the planet, next to humans, although by this display, that is debatable. I am embarassed for the human race, and cannot fathom the complete lack of consideration involved. Sure we are at the top of the food chain and have a long history of exploiting natures resources for human consumption, but the terrible treatement of these beautiful creatures is sickening. I saw no effort towards any humane or quick method of dispatching their catch. Only an apathy and bloodlust that makes those who partake in such "fisheries" look really, really bad.
I am a pretty calm and passive guy, but when I watched this video, and particularly that fat old man slicing a live dolphins throat and then jumping back so as not to get too much blood on himself, and then going in to cut some more, I felt such a rage and violent anger that if I were there, it would take all my will not to attack him and give him a taste of his own disgusting actions.
Even here in Canada, with our seal hunt, despite all the protests from countries and groups around the world, at least those seal hunters have the presence of mind to kill the seal before dicing it up.
The images shown in this video are so disgusting and barbaric that I feel sick. I look at the actions of those in the video, and perceive that nation with a new found mistrust and lack of respect. The Japanese government should consider such issues before allowing them to tarnish the image of the country with the actions of a select minority. I know this is unrealistic to expect at best, but the statement it makes is repulsive, and even more compounded by these "fishermen" taking advantage of the dolphins familial loyalty and protective instinct by cutting some of their catch to keep the other dolphins from swimming off.
I cannot fathom the reasoning behind such activities. What's worse is the blind eye turned by many countries, including ours, due to feared negative repercussions economically and politically. Just because we have a great deal of economic dealings, it shouldn't supersede our sense of decency and humane treatment of intelligent animals.
I would like to find out what the official government stance on such "fisheries" is, both in our country, Japan, and others around the world. It would be interesting to see what the world has to say about this. Maybe those condemning our seal hunts, might take an interest in this too. It would at least lend some credibility to their somewhat Hollywood style cause...