Please FAX this message to the recipients below. A recent article in the Washington Post highlights the importance of the fax machine in modern communication in the Japanese business culture. We want to be sure these messages get to their intended recipients, so we urge you to send them via fax. We have provided a list of key recipients and the message "PLEASE LET THE DOLPHINS LIVE AND BE FREE. THANK YOU." in Japanese characters. All you need to do is cut and paste this message into your fax. Here is a link to a site that will allow you to send 2 FREE FAXES PER DAY RIGHT FROM YOUR COMPUTER! YOU DO NOT NEED A SEPARATE FAX MACHINE! We have confirmed that this link works. Once at the site, you will need to click on the link to receive the "free call pin". You do not add in the country code for Japan (81) or any dashes or spaces between numbers. You must fill out the form completely. Just click on the words "free fax button" to the immediate right of the colon to be redirected to this site : FREE FAX BUTTON
TO:
Taiji Fisherman’s Union
Fax 81-73-559-3018
Dolphin Base Fax 81-73-559-3514 Hotel Dolphin Resort
Fax 81-73-559-2810
Taiji Mayor Sangen
Fax 81-73-559-2801
Embassy of Japan, United States of America
Fax 202-328-2187
Embassy of Japan, United Kingdom
Fax 020-7491-9348
Embassy of Japan, Australia
Fax 61-2-6273-1848
Embassy of Japan, New Zealand
Fax 04-471-2951
Embassy of Japan, Germany
Fax 49-30-2109-4222
イルカを自由に暮らさせてあげてください。
お願いします。
Iruka wo jiyuu ni kurasasete agete kudasai onegaishimasu.
Please let the dolphins live and be free.Thank you.
A pod of dolphins moments from death in The Cove
photo courtesy of Chasity Reed
September 1 is traditionally the start of the cruel dolphin drive hunt in Taiji, Japan. During the hunt, a small fleet of fishing boats goes out to sea in search of dolphins. Dolphin hunters use “banger poles” to create a sound that disturbs the dolphins’ sensitive hearing. This sound confuses them and makes it easier for the hunters to push the panicked animals towards the shore. When a pod of dolphins is driven into The Cove, it is netted off. Some dolphins may be “selected” for training as show animals. The rest are brutally stabbed to death. The killing is neither quick nor painless. The meat, which is toxic, is sold for human consumption. All of this is documented in the 2010 Academy Award-winning movie The Cove, which was directed by Louie Psihoyos and stars Ric O’Barry. PLEASE take 90 minutes to watch this movie. It will change your life.
Once the hunts begin, we invite you to follow the updates at Save Misty the Dolphin on Facebook. We have been covering Taiji for the last two seasons. You can expect accurate and timely reporting via the experts on the ground with Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Save Japan Dolphins. Our dedicated team tracks all of the updates from Taiji. As soon as they are available and verified, you will see them on our Facebook wall along with a request for direct action from YOU.
There are many things YOU can do to help the dolphins of Taiji. We will provide a comprehensive list of places to call, email and fax to register your objection to the hunt and to request that they let the dolphins LIVE AND BE FREE.
Over the years, our Facebook wall has also become a place of mutual support. We care deeply about the people in the Save Misty the Dolphin community. We ask that you please take good care of yourself during the Taiji dolphin hunt. Please find something beautiful to look at every single day. Please get outdoors and get some exercise. Please get enough sleep, and please don’t feel like you need to follow every last post and update out of Taiji.
We ask that you keep things respectful on our wall. Like Ric O’Barry, we feel strongly that the solution to the crisis of The Cove rests with the people of Japan. The Japanese government and media suppress the information about The Cove and the toxic mercury in the dolphin and whale meat. Taiji is a tiny fishing village with a population of about 3,225. It is about a 7 hour drive from Tokyo. What happens to dolphins in Taiji is simply not reported throughout Japan. Likewise, accurate information about toxic mercury in dolphin and whale meat is not made available to Japanese citizens. It is very important that this information reach the people of Japan. Knowledge is power. Armed with this information, it is our hope that the good people of Japan will be able to stand up for themselves and for the dolphins. All of this said, there is a zero tolerance for racist remarks of any kind on our facebook wall. Such comments will be removed and those who make them will be banned from the page.
Today we have obtained a photograph of a dolphin we have come to know fondly as “Misty.” The image was taken in 2012 at Dolphin Resort in Taiji, Japan (Misty is the dolphin on the left). While we are never happy to see a dolphin in captivity -- especially in Taiji -- the sight of this particular dolphin brings tears of joy to the eyes of many, many people across the globe. MISTY THE DOLPHIN IS ALIVE!
We first learned about the plight of a very sick dolphin being held in a filthy pool in Taiji, Japan, on December 30, 2010. Video footage obtained by Sea Shepherd Cove Guardians Andy Romanowski, Nicole McLachlan and Libby Miller, showed an animal floating listlessly in blackened water. He clung tightly to a small yellow buoy. He appeared to be hours from death.
Within hours, our campaign, Save Misty the Dolphin, was founded on facebook. Within hours, thousands of people became part of an international movement to get this animal moved into a cleaner pool. Thousands of calls, e-mails and faxes were logged to Dolphin Base and Dolphin Resort in Taiji. Sea Shepherd’s Captain Paul Watson even offered to purchase the dolphin, but this offer was rejected by Misty’s captors. The calls from people around the world persisted. Members of the staff of Dolphin Base literally begged Sea Shepherd to have the calls stopped. We wouldn’t be silenced...and in the late hours of the evening of January 3, Misty was moved to a cleaner pool. Cove Guardians with Sea Shepherd Conservation Society continued to monitor Misty until the end of the 2011 drive hunt. We watched in horror as the disaster of March 11, 2011, hit Japan. We held our breath waiting for word about survivors. Our prayers were answered when we learned that the volunteers from Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Save Japan Dolphins survived the earthquake and tsunami. At the same time, we were grieving for a nation that lost thousands of innocents - all in a matter of minutes.
Following the tsunami, we had no way of keeping track of Misty. Then, with the start of the 2011-2012 dolphin drive hunt, there were all kinds of new restrictions in place in Taiji that made it extraordinarily difficult -- and illegal -- to obtain the kind of footage that was obtained by the Cove Guardians in the previous season.
Our team has studied images of Misty for the last several months. Like all dolphins, Misty has certain identifiable features. In Misty’s case, these features are a short beak, an overbite and a birthmark above his eye. We broke down video clips frame-by-frame. We scoured every obtainable transfer record of dolphins shipped from Taiji, and we reached the conclusion that Misty was still being held at Dolphin Resort. In early 2012, we had an unconfirmed sighting of Misty. Now, with the acquisition of this image we can say, without a doubt, that Misty the Dolphin is alive.
To us, Misty is a symbol of hope. He is the reason why we are here. He is the reason why we fight, every single day, to stop the slaughter and to end captivity. We have never given up on Misty and we never will. In his name, we continue the fight. We will never be silent and we will never give up until the waters of the Cove are forever blue and all dolphins are free. We are so glad you are here with us. Let’s continue the fight - TOGETHER!
71 days...the day we all dread is 71 days away! September 1, 2012 is the start of the 2012-2013 Taiji dolphin drive hunt. Will you help end it? Over the coming weeks we will post information & updates on our facebook page Save Misty the Dolphin about the many ways YOU can get involved to END IT FOR GOOD! Please keep an eye on our page as we have LOTS to share. For starters, PLEASE participate in our ONE CALL A DAY CAMPAIGN:
JUST ONE CALL A DAY. Get up, exercise, shower, get dressed, eat breakfast, brush your teeth and CALL YOUR JAPANESE EMBASSY. Please make it part of your daily routine. One call per day, Monday-Friday, from now until September 1, 2012.
Politely urge them to NOT issue any permits to the Taiji Fisherman's Union for the purpose of the cruel & senseless Taiji dolphin drive hunt that is typically held from September - March (The drive hunt is graphically illustrated in the 2010 Academy-award winning documentary The Cove, starring Ric O'Barry). Ask them to stop permitting harpoon hunting the remainder of the year. If there are no permits, there is no slaughter. It is as simple as that. AND WHILE YOU HAVE THEM ON THE PHONE LET THEM KNOW THAT YOU THINK THE IDEA OF A WHALE PARK IN TAIJI IS TERRIBLE! WHALES & DOLPHINS BELONG IN THER OCEANS - PERIOD!!! For more on the story click here:http://www.examiner.com/article/dolphin-likely-to-be-on-the-menu-at-planned-taiji-whale-zoo?cid=db_articles
Here are the numbers for the Embassies: In the United States call 202-238-6700 In the United Kingdom call 020-7465-6500 all other countries please use this link:http://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/mofaserv.html
Save Misty the Dolphin was built on the love of dolphins. We came together in the end of 2010 to save Misty & haven't stopped since. Pressure from our community got Misty moved from the isolation of a tiny, algae-filled pool to better conditions in a larger, cleaner pool with other dolphins at Dolphin Resort Hotel. In Misty's name we continue our work for other vulnerable marine mammals in Taiji and around the globe....
Our heartfelt thanks to all of the Sea Shepherd Cove Guardians & Save Japan Dolphin Cove Monitors who bravely stand in The Cove to bear witness and to shine a bright light of truth on the atrocities committed by the Taiji dolphin hunters & the trainers at Dolphin Base and Dolphin Resort.
...and our thanks to YOU for NEVER BEING SILENT ~ NEVER GIVING UP!
CALLING ALL KIDS! Here is how YOU can help save the sea lions at the Bonneville Dam:
At the Bonneville Dam, California Sea Lions are being killed because they are eating salmon. Fishermen are allowed to catch the salmon, but sea lions aren't. Sea lions who catch too many salmon are killed by state officials. These killings are legal because the states of Oregon and Washington have received permission from the federal government to kill the sea lions.
PLEASE print out and color in this picture of a California sea lion (or, even better, make your own picture of a California Sea Lion) and send it to the Governors of Oregon and Washington ALONG WITH A MESSAGE ASKING THEM TO STOP KILLING SEA LIONS AT THE BONNEVILLE DAM.
Here are the addresses for the Governors:
The Honorable John Kitzhaber
Governor of Oregon
160 State Capitol
900 Court Street
Salem, Oregon 97301-4047
The Honorable Chris Gregoire
Governor of Washington
PO Box 40002
Olympia, WA 98504-0002
Please be sure to take a photo of your picture and share it on our Save Misty the dolphin facebook page before you send it. IF YOU WOULD CONSIDER MAKING A YOUTUBE VIDEO OF YOU DRAWING THE PICTURE AND THEN READING YOUR MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNORS, THAT WOULD BE EVEN BETTER!
Thank you so much! YOU are awesome! Ask all of your friends to do the same! Let's all work together to save our friends the sea lions ♥
Bonneville Sea Lion, photo courtesy of the Sea Lion Defense Brigade
Why all of the ruckus about Sea Lions at the Bonneville Dam?
On March 15, 2012, NOAA Fisheries issued a letter authorizing the states of Oregon, Washington and Idaho to use lethal means to remove up to 92 salmon-eating sea lions from the Bonneville Dam.
Following the release of the letter, the Humane Society of the United States filed a lawsuit and sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the killings. The lawsuit is pending, however a federal judge denied the restraining order. Judge James Boasberg did rule that 30 sea lions (not 92) can be killed per year and that the method of killing shall be by lethal injection.
Background
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reports that since 2008, the Oregon and Washington departments of fish and wildlife have removed at least 40 California sea lions from below Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River. Ten were placed in zoos and aquaria across the country, 25 were euthanized and five died after they were captured.
The states claim they are removing the sea lions in an effort to protect threatened and endangered populations of salmon and steelhead. The California sea lion is a protected species under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. However, the states of Oregon, Washington and Idaho have been granted permission to remove the sea lions by NOAA –Fisheries, the federal agency responsible for managing marine animals. The authority was granted under Section 120 of the act and allows the states to use lethal and non-lethal (hazing) means to remove individual California sea lions that have been documented eating salmon or steelhead in the Columbia River below Bonneville Dam.
How much fish do the sea lions eat?
According to the NOAA, The proportion of the run consumed by sea lions varies depending on run size. It has generally ranged between 2 and 4% since 2004, but was just 1.6% in 2011. The Humane Society of the United States reports that fisheries harvest 17% of these same fish.
Which sea lions can be killed?
Only certain sea lions can be killed. These animals must meet the following criteria:
Must be individually identifiable through natural or applied features (usually a brand)
Have been observed eating salmonids in the Bonneville Dam area between Jan. 1 and May 31 of any year
Have been observed on a total of any five days (consecutive days, days within a single season, or days over multiple years) between Jan. 1 and May 31
Have been subjected to but not responded to non-lethal hazing (rubber buckshot, firecrackers, noisemakers and other deterrents)
Why the urgency?
The 30 sea lions can be captured and killed at any time now!
What happens when they catch sea lions on their hit list?
According to the Sea Lion Defense Brigade, the traps are visible from the Washington side, but when they catch animals they cover them with tarps, bring around the death barge, and drag them off around the Island - they are still visible then from the Oregon side by the intrepid.
Which are some of the key organizations working to help the Bonneville sea lions? Humane Society of the United States - For the past several years, the Humane Society has been championing the cause of the Bonneville Sea Lions in court, in congress and with federal and state agencies. For a complete history of their important work, click on this link: Bonneville Dam Sea Lions Under Siege: The Humane Society of the United States
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society - Volunteers with Sea Shepherd have visited the Bonneville Dam multiple times since the release of the March 15 letter of authorization. For more on Sea Shepherd’s position on the Bonneville sea lions & to learn about their "Dam Guardian" campaign, click on this link: Sea Shepherd: Impressions on the Bonneville Dam
Save Misty the Dolphins - started the petition to Save the Bonneville Sea Lions, reports on activities impacting them & uses social media to support their cause. Please follow us on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Savemistythedolphin
* we have heard from many folks that the Governors' offices are responding to callers with commentary suggesting this is a federal issue. Please be very clear in your understanding, THE STATES REQUESTED AUTHORIZATION TO USE LETHAL MEANS TO REMOVE THE SEA LIONS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT - NOT VISA-VERSA!
3. Please join the on-the-ground efforts of the Sea Lion Defense Brigade or Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
