Paper short abstract:

The primary purpose of this study was to identify the production and distribution systems of pilot whale and dolphin meat. Secondary aims were to examine why fresh meat from this fishery is sold in these two markets.

Paper long abstract:

Small-scale coastal whaling activities have operated in the Japanese cities of Taiji-cho (Wakayama prefecture) and Nago city (Okinawa prefecture). The meat of pilot whales and dolphins caught in these fisheries has separate markets. Pilot whale meat is sent to the Fukuoka municipal wholesale market, while dolphin meat is sent to Shimonoseki local wholesale market. The primary purpose of this study was to identify the production and distribution systems of pilot whale and dolphin meat. Secondary aims were to examine why fresh meat from this fishery is sold in these two markets, as well as to analyze the factors and processes influencing the development of markets dealing in whale meat.