Sei Whale Served In Restaurant
By Priyanka, Gaea News NetworkThursday, March 11, 2010
LOS ANGELES (GaeaTimes.com)- On Wednesday the Typhoon Restaurant Inc. which is owner of “The Hump” restaurant was charged by the federal prosecutors for serving to its customers the meat of an endangered species of whale, Sei whale. Along with the restaurant, one of the sushi chef Kiyoshiro Yamamoto has been charged for this illegal activity.
According to reports a group of activists who work for the protection of marine mammals, have gone thrice to “The Hump” separately and were served the Sei whale meat in each of the occasions. During one such occasion last year, the activists went to the restaurant as customers and asked the chef to choose a fresh fish for their meal. The activists have reportedly mentioned that they would like to have whale meat, and when served they brought a sample for laboratory test. The federal laboratory has confirmed that the meat was that of the endangered Sei whale. Last Friday ” The Hump” was searched by the federal agents who seized some fish meat from the restaurant that is believed to be that of Sei whale, however the laboratory test reports are still awaited.
Japan kills huge numbers of whales for research programs each year and it is believed that the Sei whales which the “The Hump” serves is illegally brought to the Santa Monica sushi restaurant. According to reports the lawyer for the Typhoon Restaurant Inc., Gary Lincenberg has said that the restaurant is ready to accept the allegations made against it and pay the needed fine. If convicted for the act the restaurant might have to pay a fine of $200,000 and for Kiyoshiro Yamamoto it could mean a year in jail with a fine of $100,000.
