Debbie Guest | August 23, 2009
Article from: The Australian

THE Shire of Broome has bowed to international pressure and voted to suspend ties with a Japanese city that annually slaughters thousands of dolphins.

At an emergency meeting held yesterday, councillors unanimously voted to suspend its sister city relationship with the Japanese whaling port town of Taiji. The suspension will continue for as long as Taiji continues its horrific slaughter of around 23,000 dolphins a year.

The council said it would 'respectfully advise' Taiji that Broome would not be able to continue the sister city relationship while dolphins were killed.

The council's decision comes after a new documentary, THE COVE, revealed the extent of the slaughter to international viewers.

Following the film's release, the council was inundated with letters and emails from Australia and the world urging it to end the relationship.

Yesterday's decision was welcomed by Broome whale researcher Richard Costin who had threatened to leave the town if the council did not act.

"This is a really good decision by the Broome shire. They've been mindful of the links between Broome and Taiji and the establishment of the pearling industry." Mr Costin told The Australian.

He said the decision left the door open to discussions between the Shire of Broome and Taiji because the relationship could be resumed if the slaughter stopped.

But he said Taiji was unlikely to act. "At the end of the day Taiji won't take much notice of what Broome does." he said.

The council also agreed to help Taiji establish other industries so that the town could survive economically if it abandoned the hunting of whales and dolphins.