Report from Taiji: November 29

Shuya Nakatsuka: what a load of crap!

The molesters were at it again today in Taiji.  They went out and found a large pod, perhaps as many as 150 dolphins.  Of course a family unit of this size would include all ages and both genders.  The greedy molesters decided to catch them all, but the pod split and one group got away.  The remainder; however, were not so lucky.  About 50 dolphins were paralyzed, killed by drowning or gutting, and butchered today in Taiji.  There were juveniles and babies in this group too.

(click to read letter)William DeBord, our recent 10-year-old Cove Guardian, wrote to the Japanese embassy in Washington, D.C., USA.  Shuya Nakatsuka, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan, responded with a letter.  Boy Shuya, you sure know how to sling a load of crap.  In the letter, Shuya tells William about the “dolphin fishery.”  Shuya claims that it is “…carefully managed so as not to deplete the stock.”  Well Shuya, have you not been paying attention?  How is killing all members of a family unit careful management?  Is that how they carefully managed the stock in Iki and so there are now no more dolphins there?

Shuya piles it on.  Shuya compares domestic cows, pigs, and chickens to wild and free cetaceans.  Yes, Shuya, you are correct that what happens to domestic cows, pigs, and chickens is “off-putting,” but how on earth can you compare domestic animals with wild and free creatures who are highly complex, perhaps even more so than humans?  Also Shuya, there is not a civilized country on this planet that would allow an abattoir to slaughter domestic animals the way the Taiji molesters do the job on dolphins.

Finally, Shuya offers the most inane excuse.  Shuya tries to hide it all under claims of “culture.”  Claiming culture is an excuse, and a lame one at that, for ignorance.  Just because something has been done for a long time (which the Taiji dolphin drive has not) does not make it right.  Be honest Shuya, and admit that Japan keeps up the Taiji hunt for the money, which the captive dolphin entertainment industry provides.

Perhaps First Secretary Shuya Nakatsuka would like to hear from everyone.

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 front lines 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.

The annual IMATA conference begins in Boston on December 3.   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.

Elora and I had to leave Taiji yesterday on a discreet mission to locate the centerpiece of Japan’s illegal commercial whaling operation, the Nisshin Maru.  We found the monstrosity at a shipyard on Innoshima Island, near Hiroshima.  It appears as though preparations are underway for this ship to head off to molest whales in the Antarctic Whale Sanctuary.  We have more Sea Shepherd activities to attend to, and so we will not be in Taiji for the next few days.  I wonder if the police there have missed us?  Probably not because Thomas, Martyn, and Kim kept them busy today, and now Mia has joined the Cove Guardians too.

Here is your opportunity to become a Cove Guardian.  To join us (voluntarily, and completely at your own cost and risk) in Taiji, 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 donations cover costs for transportation, 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

Elora West with Nisshin Maru in background (click to enlarge)

Nisshin Maru in dock (click to enlarge)

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 Guardian Martyn is also keeping a blog.
Future Cove Guardians, Carolyn, Bob, Mike, Janice, Marley, Tara, Carissa, Karl, and Tim 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 sub-titles.

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.