Dolphin Slaughter in Taiji, Japan 2011 — Sea Shepherd

Stop the Senseless Slaughter of Dolphins in Taiji, Japan! http://www.seashepherd.org/dolphins/cove-guardian-reports/ It is a bloodbath, cruel and barbaric. Each year, the idyllic and peaceful setting of the village of Taiji in southern Japan is shattered by almost unspeakable cruelty as incredible pain and ultimate death is inflicted on defenseless dolphins. - Paul Watson, president and founder Sea Shepherd Conservation Society The annual slaughter of dolphins at Taiji was virtually unknown until the film and photographs that Sea Shepherd released in October 2003 made headlines around the world. This was followed by the arrest of Sea Shepherd activists Allison Lance and Alex Cornelissen for cutting the nets and releasing 15 dolphins. They were held in jail for four weeks before being released. Subsequently, the fishermen erected barricades to hide their bloody slaughter from cameras. One of the members of that 2003 Sea Shepherd crew was Ric O’Barry. He returned in 2004 and every year after, to do what he could to oppose the killing. Louis Psihoyos partnered up with Ric O’Barry to find a way around the barricades and the result was the making of The Cove, the academy award-winning film that has embarrassed Japanese society before international audiences. Sea Shepherd is honored to be featured in the movie. We are pleased that it has been widely watched and brought the world's attention to this issue. In 2007, we returned with surfing legend Dave Rastovich and actresses Hayden Pantierre and Isobel Lucas to confront the dolphin killers and once again we were able to shine the international media spotlight on the horrors at Taiji. It has been a long, hard fight, and thanks to Ric O’Barry, Dave Rastovich, Allison Lance, Alex Cornelissen, Louis Psihoyos, and so many others, we are making steady progress towards our goal of ending the slaughter of dolphins in Japan. We will continue with campaigns to pressure Japan to end this cruel and destructive slaughter of dolphins. Because our opposition is proud and stubborn it may take years and persistence, but determination will win the day eventually for the dolphins at Taiji. Starting in September 2010, we have positioned a crew there at the Cove to monitor and report on the situation. Read the reports and support our efforts! • Sea Shepherd in Taiji•  Cove Guardian Reports• The Ruthless Killing • The Toxic Bureaucracy • What You Can Do • Worldwide Protest Species At Risk The Japanese fishermen are indiscriminate. They kill any species that approaches the coast. Sea Shepherd crew have witnessed the killing of: Striped dolphins Bottlenose dolphins Pilot whales* False killer whales Melon-headed whales This is not a complete list. They kill any species that approaches the coast including those listed above and Risso dolphins. *Killing pilot whales violates Japan's treaty obligations to the International Whaling Commission.

P.O. Box 2616, Friday Harbor, WA 98250 (USA) Tel: 360-370-5650   Fax: 360-370-5651 All contents copyright ©2011 Sea Shepherd Conservation Society Click HERE for updates Recent Update: Friday, February 18, 2011 Report from Taiji: February 18 Cove Guardians photograph an offshore capture from Mountain PassCulture and tradition are two words that seem to be heard quite often in regards to the Taiji dolphin slaughter, and while we all know that these claims are a ridiculous attempt to justify the actions that happen in this tiny little town, the events of the past few weeks have disproven every single claim and then some. Perhaps harvesting intelligent beings from the sea was a tradition once-upon-a-time but it’s obvious that this is a part of Taiji’s history that needs to remain in the past. However, these men can in no way, shape, or form claim that taking dolphins captive is part of their so-called culture or tradition, and the fact that they try to pass it off as such is an insult and a slap in the face to the rest of the world. There has not been a slaughter since the 9th of February, but there have been two offshore captures, one in which two dolphins escaped the nets and were chased by several banger boats for more than half an hour. We’ve all had the terribly frightening dreams in which you’re being chased by something unknown and therefore dangerous. While I was watching from the Mountain Pass as these two dolphins were being chased and herded by my own kind, all I could think was that they must be absolutely terrified. If a human were to intentionally induce that level of fear in another human, they would be considered a monster. If a human took another human captive and held them in a tiny room where they were forced to perform slave labor, the world would be horrified that someone was capable of such cruelty. Yet here in Taiji, it happens nearly every single day and the world turns a blind eye and calls it tradition. Why is the world so afraid to stand against this? Why did Hollywood’s A-listers make a PSA about how this needs to stop yet bail out when it was time to get down and dirty? A man places his catch over the footrest of his scooter. Photo: Nicole McLachlan The Cove Guardians and I are regular people with no media influence, no red carpet and definitely no financial success, but we gave up our lives to be here and fight for something that we believe is wrong. We have invested our blood, sweat, tears, and our reputations in the eyes of Japan to raise awareness for these creatures that need us. Those of you that have stood by us and offered precious support are truly the backbone of this campaign and we will be eternally grateful. Every single time I witness a slaughter or a capture, I am astounded that this is allowed to continue. However, with the latest news of the Japanese whaling fleet pulling out of the Southern Ocean, comes a glimmer of hope for the dolphins of Taiji. Spread the word. Raise awareness. Speak out. Here is your opportunity to become a Cove Guardian.  To join us in Taiji (voluntarily, and completely at your own cost and risk), write to us at coveguardian@seashepherd.org.  We will get back to you, but please be patient.  We cannot keep an eye on the Cove and answer e-mails at the same time.  Contributions to Sea Shepherd Conservation Society to keep our official presence here are needed and welcome.  These contributions cover the costs for transport, telephone, equipment, supplies, food, and lodging for the official Sea Shepherd representative.  We will remain here through the end of March and will return for the next season in September 2011. Thank you to the citizens of Japan who are weighing these issues and beginning to take a stand to solve them.  Thank you to everyone who is on the frontlines of this war.  This is a war to save ourselves from ourselves.  Without your calling and writingJapanese embassies and your own governments, there will be no change.  Keep it up! Every time dolphins are pushed into the Cove, let them have it.  Every time there is blood in the water, let them have it.  Make good consumer choices.  Inform everyone you know about the tragedy here and how it is linked to the captive dolphin trade.  All who patronize a dolphin show have blood on their hands. For the dolphins, Libby Katsinis Taiji dolphin killers load nets onto the gutting barge for an offshore capture on February 18th Video credit: Sea Shepherd (:46) A dolphin jumps for feeding time at Dolphin Base Nicole, who will be assisting me during my time in Taiji, will share her experiences on her blog.