Report from Taiji: January 15

A Japan Coast Guard vessel docks at
Taiji harborRounding the harbor this morning and seeing all twelve banger boats tucked into their slips was such a relief that we almost didn’t believe what our eyes were seeing. I’ve seen many beautiful places in this world, but at the moment, none of them can compare to the beauty of seeing those evil boats bobbing in the small Taiji harbor instead of being out on the sea, tormenting dolphins. It was clear that the weather played a major role in the decision to not hunt today; with gale warnings and very low visibility, a day on the water would not have yielded any positive results for the fishermen.

On days such as this, the Cove Guardians don’t quite know what to do with themselves. We’re here to document the slaughter and the captive selection. Being at the Cove every time a slaughter happens is very draining, to say the least, but we’re here for a purpose and we do not deviate from that purpose. Sea Shepherd maintains a presence at the Cove every single time the life of a dolphin is taken and every single time a dolphin is forced into slavery. Keeping the world’s eyes on Taiji is what the Sea Shepherd Cove Guardians have been single handedly doing for the past four and half months.

Dolphin hunters paint a "Restricted" sign near the entrance of the Fisherman's UnionToday offered us a much needed respite after a brutal week of gruesome slaughters and we use this downtime to reach out to the world; to blog, to Facebook, to email, to update. Media is the most powerful weapon this world has to offer and without the media the captive trade, and therefore the slaughter, will not be stopped.

Spread the word. Raise awareness. Speak out.

Dolphin Base: From the United States, dial 81-0735-59-3514 or send email to info@dolphinbase.co.jp

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 writing Japanese 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

Cove Guardians Nao, Sabra, Rhiannon, Libby and Nicole at Taiji harbor with Tim and Jim from Save Japan Dolphins

Nicole, who will be assisting me during the next three months, will share her experiences while in Taiji on her blog.