The Santa Monica sushi restaurant busted for serving whale meat to undercover activists has closed its doors following nearly two weeks of controversy and the filing of federal charges against the owner and one of the chef’s of the restaurant.
The Hump served its last meal on Saturday and then closed up shop for good. According to a message posted on the restaurant’s website, the decision was “self-imposed” and will hopefully ”bring awareness to the detrimental effects that illegal whaling has on the preservation of our ocean ecosystems and species.” The restaurant came under fire after two activists associated with one of the makers of the documentary “The Cove” engaged in an undercover sting operation. On several occasions the activists were served illegal whale meat at the Hump, some of which they took from the restaurant and later had verified as being endangered Sei whale meat.
Also in the restaurant’s online statement is a promise to make a “substantial contribution” to “one or more responsible organzations dedicated to the preservation of whales and other endangered species.” I guess there’s nothing else to do when you get caught red-handed but fall on your sword and swear to donate a lot of money to help save the whales.
Photo via LATimes
