Report from Taiji:  December 6

The pressure is making an impact.

Evening Dec. 6, 2010Ten of the twelve molester boats went out this morning.  Five of the boats were harassing a pod of dolphins out to the east, but the dolphins managed to elude them and headed out to sea.  The boats resumed their patrol.  Finally, the molesters gave up for the day and headed into port.  It was a good day in Taiji.

Early this morning we discovered that the gutting barge had been moved into the inner harbor where we could get a close look at it.  After the molester fleet returned to port, the molesters were busy working on the barge to make it easier for them to hide their shameful deeds.  I wonder how they will hide the blood in the water?  They were also working on the stone steps where they drag the dolphin bodies up into the butcher house.  When we showed up to have a close look at their activities, they moved the barge over to the Fishermen’s Union (FU) wharf.  Some of them hung around to challenge us to camera duels.

The constant barrage of e-mails, letters, and phone calls is making an impact.  The pressure is mounting.  We can feel it in the air and we know it from the communications within the government.  Japanese citizens are awakening to this issue.  It will not end overnight, but it will end.

working on the stepsThank 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 writing Japanese embassies and your own government, 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.

The annual IMATA conference is happening in Boston.  The captive dolphin industry is the economic engine driving the slaughter and torment in Taiji.  Remember that friends do not let friends patronize dolphin shows.

Sea Shepherd crewmember Libby Katsinis, who served as a Cove Guardian in Taiji this November, has returned and will be taking over as the official Sea Shepherd representative because Elora and I must leave this week.  Libby will remain here until early March 2011.

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-mail at the same time.  Contributions to Sea Shepherd 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.

For the oceans,

Scott West
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

the gutting barge

working on the barge

the gutting barge

the gutting barge

The Blog Log:
My daughter, Elora Malama West, has been with me here since day one and keeps a blog of her experiences.
Current Cove Guardians Martyn, Mike, Nicole, and Mia (Swedish) are also keeping blogs.
Future Cove Guardians, Carolyn, Bob, Janice, Len, Tara, Tim, and Marley, Carisa, and Mike have started blogs about their endeavors.
The Taiji Dolphin Action Group blog.
Here is a video about the killings made by a Japanese couple.  There is a Japanese version and one with English subtitles.

Legal Dictionary
Main Entry: mo·lest
Pronunciation: m&-'lest
Function: transitive verb
1 : to annoy, disturb, or persecute esp. with hostile intent or injurious effect
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.