'Whale farm' project under way in Taiji

Discussions are under way on launching a ''whale farm'' in the whaling town of Taiji in Wakayama Prefecture to attract tourists by promoting an image of coexistence with the sea mammals. Visitors would be able not only to view but swim with whales or kayak in a roughly 28 hectare area surrounded by nets in part of Moriura Bay, where minke whales, bottlenose dolphins and other small whales would be released, town officials said. The area would also allow research to help promote studies on whale biology. The municipal authority envisions making the whole town a kind of nature park featuring whales, said town Mayor Kazutaka Sangen. The project, however, is likely to take at least five years until being materialized, according to the mayor. Funding for the facility and negotiations with local pearl farmers are still up in the air. Taiji has seen repeated disputes between anti-whaling activists and local residents. The town entered the spotlight through the Oscar-winning 2009 U.S. documentary ''The Cove,'' which depicted the slaughter of dolphins during a traditional hunt off the coast and spurred international controversy.