Broome Shire will sever a sister city relationship with a Japanese town that hosts the killing of more than 20,000 (original number reported corrected) dolphins a year after an emotion-charged special council meeting.
More than 50 people, who packed the council chambers’ public gallery, greeted the decision with a standing ovation.
Broome Shire president Graeme Campbell said council’s unanimous decision was to “respectfully advise” the town of Taiji that Broome would be unable to fulfil its obligation as a sister town while the dolphin killings continued.
But he said the shire recognised the role Taiji played in developing Broome’s pearling industry in the 19th century.
As part of a raft of council resolutions, councillors noted the national and international pressure placed on the shire to end the relationship.
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Sea Shepherd Conservation Society Australian director Jeff Hansen commended the shire and Broome residents for taking up the issue.
“May the original surfers stay safe and be free to ride a wave along side one of us soon,” Mr Hansen said.
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Why write a letter to Broome councillors?
Broome is the sister city to Taiji in Japan. Taiji is a quiet coastal village that use to harbour a terrible secret. Now exposed in Louie Psiyohos’ film The Cove, more than 23,000 dolphins are killed during the ‘cull’ in Taiji each year. It is imperative that something happen to stop the killing season before it begins in September. This is a call out to exert political pressure on Taiji, and to help inform the people of Japan they are eating contaminated dolphin meat.
Australians, if you wish to show your encouragement towards Broome suspending their ties with Taiji, Japan until the dolphin killing stops, please let the Shire of Broome know your support so they can take the appropriate action. Apart from sending emails, you can sign the petition or donate to this campaign.
Here is a list of councillor names and email addresses, with an example letter attached.
Please address the email with :
Dear Councillors,..
councillor.campbell@broome.wa.gov.au
shirepresident@broome.wn.com.au
roebuckbayep@broome.com.au
eo.kacc@westnet.com.au
councillor.mitchell@broome.wa.gov.au
councillor.albert@broome.wa.gov.au
albert@garnduwa.com.au
mick.albert@ausport.gov.au
councillor.wevers@broome.wa.gov.au
nikwevers@bigpond.com
councillor.foy@broome.wa.gov.au
councillor.lander@broome.wa.gov.au
cocos@iinet.net.au
councillor.matsumoto@broome.wa.gov.au
ematsumoto@westnet.com.au
shire@broome.wa.gov.au
chris@arthousebroome.com
The following example/ letter has been drafted by Alex Burns and Rosie Cross
For more information, visit the Sea Shepherd site.
