Sorum Joins Dolphins Cause

Taiji is a coastal town whose main industry for years was whaling.

To the world it is more famous for its annual dolphin harvest, when fishermen drive wild dolphin from nearby waters into a cove and then stab them to death with harpoons and knives.

The dolphin slaughter was documented in the Oscar-winning film “The Cove,” and every year, starting in September when the dolphin-killing season takes place, Japanese and foreign protesters show up in Taiji to demonstrate against the custom.

Sorum arrived in Taiji Sept. 1 with Ric O’Barry, the former dolphin trainer who has made it his life work to protect dolphins, not only from hunters but also from captivity in aquariums and marine shows.

Sorum told reporters by telephone that he witnessed the cull himself “in complete disbelief.”

The fishermen in Taiji say that dolphin meat is an important part of the town’s diet. It is not generally eaten by other Japanese.

However, nationalist groups also show up during the kill season to protest the protesters, saying that they are hypocrites and are “interfering with Japanese culture.”

Sorum said he hopes to organize a rock concert in Japan to “celebrate the dolphin” that would bring together Western and Japanese musicians, including his new band Kings of Chaos.

He said his main objective would be to reach Japanese young people.