Community | March 13, 2010 | 5 comments

Santa Monica Restaurant Admits Selling Meat of Endangered Whales

source: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=7328456

Image
EthicalVegan
Activists march on whale-sushi restaurant
Friday, March 12, 2010



Carlos Granda


SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KABC) -- Protestors marched Friday outside the Santa Monica restaurant that admitted selling the meat of endangered whales. The restaurant has issued an apology and accepted responsibility for what happened. But protestors want more.

Dozens of activists protested outside The Hump restaurant during lunch hour Friday. Some protestors wore whale costumes, outraged the popular eatery had been selling whale meat.

"It's absolutely shameful, I mean this is something that is just inexcusable," said Deborah Bassett as she marched in the parking lot.

The restaurant was exposed by the producers of the Oscar-winning documentary "The Cove," a film about dolphin hunting. They conducted an undercover operation to document the sale of whale meat. The Hump is popular for serving unusual sushi.

"Basically you have to sit there for a long time, gain the confidence, and they will slowly introduce you to more and more exotic species," said protest organizer Curt Lieber.

Lieber said getting the chef to serve whale sushi was very secretive.

"Some of our volunteers went in there and slowly were able to gain the confidence of the cook, and they found out that they were able to sell it," said Lieber.

The restaurant was closed Friday, and on its Web site it apologized, admitting the charge is true.

The online statement said: "The Hump ignored its responsibilities to help save endangered whales from extinction and failed to support the world community in its uphill fight to protect all endangered species. While The Hump cannot undo the damage it caused, it will put into place procedures to ensure that it strictly complies with the laws and becomes a good corporate citizen."

But that is not enough for people who say they want to know how the restaurant was able to get whale meat delivered.

"We caught three pounds of a couple-ton whale. Now let's go for the rest of the whale, and the rest of the people involved in this, because this is like a RICO investigation. This is organized crime," said protestor Ed Buck.

The restaurant is located on city property at Santa Monica Airport. Some city officials want to revoke its lease.

Meanwhile, the charges are misdemeanors. The chef faces a year in prison and a $100,000 fine. The restaurant itself faces a $200,000 fine.



http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/Whaling_in_the_Faroe_Islands....
  1. groups:
    Community,   Green,   Webmash,   Humanism,   6 more
  2. tags:
    Protests,  Animal Protection,  animal cruelty,  Whales,  7 more
  3.     
    |

5 comments // Santa Monica Restaurant Admits Selling Meat of Endangered Whales

  • EthicalVegan
  • streetfooduncovered
  • EthicalVegan
    • 0
      EthicalVegan  
    • Image

    • http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-419610?hpt=Sbin

      Are We Really that Hungry? Whale Meat Served at Sushi Restaurant!
      March 13, 2010 | Santa Monica, California | Vetting explained

      CNN producer note

      Pixel captured video of protestors outside the Santa Monica, California, sushi restaurant caught serving whale meat to customers. “Whales in the water, not on the menu,” and other chants can be heard in the video. She also interviewed the protest organizer who is a whale activist.
      - zdan, CNN iReport producer

      An outraged crowd protested in front of the Hump Restaurant in Santa Monica, California today. Whale Meat has been part of the restaurants delicacies. The Oscar winning makers of "The Cove" helped shine light on the whale meat smuggling operation that was occurring at the Hump. The crew from The Cove stayed true to their beliefs. A sting operation went into play. Secretly being filmed, two women activists ordered from the "chefs special omakase menu". The dish was not on the menu but was available at special requests.

      They placed slices of the meat in plastic bags so the meat could be tested. It was confirmed to be whale meat. Although excited to be honored at the Oscars, their true passion for the well being of mammals proved to be their priority. The Cove took home the Oscar for best documentary and unveiled the Humps indiscretions all at the same time.

      The owners of the Hump take responsibility for serving whale meat. The owner and one of the chefs were charged with a violation of the Federal Marine Mammal Protection Act. The charge brings a maximum sentence of one year in Federal Prison and a $100,000 fine.

      Investigations throughout the US are now being pursued.There is plenty for us to eat without slaughtering whales. it is a criminal act.

    • 1 year ago
  • EthicalVegan
  • EthicalVegan
more from Community:
from the community

top videos