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It was a full house upstairs the Museum of Antigua & Barbuda on Saturday evening, as more than 80 persons turned up to the first screening of The Cove.

Just before the 90-minute documentary began, PRO of Antigua Barbuda Independent Tourism Promotion Corporation (ABITPC) Martha Watkins-Gilkes, president of the Museum Agnes Meeker and the film’s director Louie Psihoyos, gave patrons a history lesson.

The lights dimmed, and everyone’s attention turned to the screen.

The Cove was the result of numerous wildlife protection activists who embarked on a covert mission to expose the brutal and graphic killings of bottlenose dolphins in Taiji, Japan.

Twelve fishing vessels go out daily, to lure large swimming packs of dolphins by pacing a metal bar into the sea, while a fisherman pounds the top of the bar, frightening the sea mammals into swimming for cover. However, the boats are positioned as a barricade to prevent the animals from swimming back out into the ocean, so they are left there until the next day when the fishermen return.

A sea of blood rushes into the ocean as the cries of the dolphins die with them. Their bodies are then carted away to be sold at the meat market.

Other whale species are being killed in Japan, and it is believed that the village of Taiji is responsible for most of the 23,000 sea mammals killed yearly.

Some among the audience screamed in disbelief; others covered their faces while others expressed their disgust at the brutality of the kill.

The documentary has won over 17 awards worldwide, including Sundance, National Board of Review and the IDFA in Amsterdam. Psihoyos said he was extremely pleased with the turnout.

At the end of the screening, the floor was opened for an interactive segment and curious persons questioned the director on the bravery of the crew and their ability to infiltrate the major cover up.

Meanwhile, the audience contributed $1,880 towards the purchase of a sound system for the museum.

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