Dolphin Hunting Begins In Japan: Receives Anger, Protests Across The World For Dolphin Slaughter In Taiji Cove [PHOTOS + VIDEO]

Sky News reports that at least 1,900 dolphins could be killed in the next six months, as the notorious dolphin hunting begins in Japan.

Sept. 1 marks the start of the season and the first day of the catch which observes fishermen in Taiji butchering the dolphins in an isolated bay.

According to the AFP, an official of the Taiji Fisheries Association said as the dolphin hunting begins in Japan, "The dolphin hunting season started today and will last until the end of February."

The official reportedly announced the season for hunting pilot whales as well, which begins on the same day and will last until April.

Though the dolphin hunting begins in Japan, authorities announced poor weather conditions have delayed the killings.

According to The Independent, the brutal hunts begin as fishermen on boats surround pods of migrating dolphins. They then lower metal poles into the sea and bang these poles to disorient the animals after they're frightened from the banging. The process also disrupts their sonar abilities.

Later on, the dolphins are herded into the narrow Taiji cove, and then the slaughter begins. Fishermen attack the animals with knives, after which dragging them to a harbour-side warehouse for the kill.

The best-looking dolphins are reportedly sold to aquariums.

Meanwhile, as the dolphin hunting begins in Japan, the practice has not begun the new season without facing outrage from animal rights activists in many parts of the world.

According to Sky News, in Florida, dozens of animal rights campaigners have gathered outside the Japanese Consulate to demand an end to the annual "tradition".

Supporters of the practice, which included the Japanese government, defended the hunting and said that the animals targeted are not endangered.

According to them, Westerners are no better since they ignore the larger number of cows, pigs and sheep butchered in the West to satisfy demand elsewhere.

They also claim that the practice has been practiced for centuries and dolphin and whales have been eaten in the area hundreds of years too. Some local fishermen said that the harvest is essential as dolphins eat too many fish.

Meanwhile, even as the dolphin hunting begins in Japan are defended by its supporters, animal rights activists in Japan are unconvinced by their arguments.

The International Business Times reported those who have begun the Monday protests while the dolphin hunting begins in Japan, claim that the hunts are not traditional.

There are also critics of the practice saying there is insufficient demand for the animals' meat.

Sky News reports that on Sunday, around 30 people marched throughout Tokyo to protest, which, according to them, is doing damage to Japan's reputation internationally.

As the dolphin hunting begins in Japan, there have also been protesters around the glove who used social media to spread the cause, using hashtags #JapanDolpinDay and #JDD2014.

According to The Independent, the NGO Save Japan Dolphins said, "[The hunts] exist only for making big profits for the fishermen and the companies that buy live dolphins for their facilities."

They added, "The hunts began in 1969, and several other Japanese towns (Iki Island and Futo) have given up their drive hunts. There is no excuse for Taiji to claim that opponents are against their 'food culture' or 'ancient traditions'."

According to the charity Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), a group which campaigns, lobbies and advises on protecting the creatures, last year, the count of dolphins killed by the practice amounted to 850, while 150 were taken to theme parks and aquariums.

Meanwhile, dolphin meat demand has fallen in recent years, in part because of unsafe levels of mercury, but also because the brutality of the deadly practice was thrust into the global spotlight in 2009 after it became subject of the Oscar-winning documentary "The Cove."

As the dolphin hunting begins in Japan, people are probably reminded of the documentary which also sparked international outrage. The film revealed showing how more than 20,000 dolphins and porpoises are slaughtered annually in Japan. The issue of mercury levels in dolphin meat, which are widely sold in the country, was also raised.

Following the outrage and protests from animal rights activists globally, according to news website RIA Novosti, the number of dolphins killed in the Taiji declined.

However, dolphin meat still hasn't been banned in the country.

According to the "Save Japan Dolphins", in 2008-2009, nearly 1,500 dolphins were slaughtered, but the number has decreased to about 850 in 2012-2013.

Even before the dolphin hunting begins in Japan, the practice gained renewed traction as US ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy tweeted her concern at the "inhumaneness" of the hunt, reports the AFP.

Last season, environmental group Sea Shepherd, who call themselves "Cove Guardians", also streamed live footage of the dolphin capture.

Spokesman Yoshihide Suga from Japan defensively commented that the controversial cull is "lawful".

Dolphin hunting begins in Japan, and the new hunting season began as 14 activists from Sea Shepherd were arrested in the Faroe Islands after trying to stop another dolphin slaughter in the area. The group has however resorted to violence in the past trying to protect ocean wildlife, which in turn brought tension to the Faroe Islands.

Click here to see a video of Japanese dolphin hunt in January.

A video of "The Cove" can be seen below.

If you want to help and see what you can do, click here.