Return to The Cove

Fifteen years ago I stood on the shores of the Cove, watching in disbelief as a scene of unspeakable cruelty took place in the bloody waters at my feet. Panic-stricken dolphins, once driven into the Cove, were being slaughtered for their meat, which is toxic and unfit for human consumption. There were also extremely violent captures for entertainment. And this is the heart and soul of what transpires in Taiji. Then and there, I committed to doing all we could to expose these atrocities to the world.

Taiji’s violent captive selection process. Credit: DolphinProject.com

With the Taiji annual dolphin slaughter starting next week, now, more than ever, I’m asking for your help. As the only organization consistently on the ground in Taiji, we are determined to keep shining a light on what happens there. It’s imperative we livestream and keep documenting, but we can’t do this without your generous support.

Thanks to you sharing our images and livestreams, much progress has been made. Japanese activists are starting to come back to Taiji. They have stepped up their fight from within, participating in peaceful demonstrations and educational initiatives. Dolphin captivity is becoming more unpopular, with travel giant Thomas Cook announcing they will no longer promote orca shows. In many parts of the world, the breeding of captive dolphins has been prohibited.

2018/19 Taiji Drive Hunt Season Quota

In a perfect world, I would be returning to the Cove on September 1 as I have done since 2003. But a politically-motivated deportation order will prevent me from doing that (a ruling our Japanese legal team is actively fighting). This year, on Japan Dolphins Day, I will be attending three different demonstrations in London and Paris.

Our team will continue to hold vigil at the Cove, because it is our duty to do so. When this level of cruelty is absolute, we must oppose it absolutely. Together, we must do all we can to end this war against dolphins.