Earth Protect Blog

Yesterday was a big day for our campaign to protect dolphins in Japan. It was imperative that we get Japanese media to cover the beginning of the dolphin hunting season—and more importantly, the worldwide opposition to it. And we succeeded!
We began by bringing all our international volunteers to a plaza near the U.S. Embassy. Our volunteers from around the world were lined up holding flags representing the 151 countries and 1.7 million signatures from this cause list! Several held strands of origami dolphins prepared by artist Peggy Oki, and we also had several inflated dolphin balloons for the cameras. I unfurled our long petition with all of YOUR NAMES—about 15 feet long! TV cameras and print journalists from all the major Tokyo media outlets were there to cover it.
I told the dozens of reporters that we were here to ask the Obama administration to help end the killing of dolphins. President Obama will be in Japan in November and could talk to the new Japanese Prime Minister about dolphins and mercury. (Note: the Japanese government is in transition as new elections are being held so we were advised that it would not be effective to go to the Fisheries agency).
I was then escorted by the Tokyo police, with media following along, across the street, up to the U.S. Embassy, along with volunteers Alyson Richards and Melissa Carbonne (who work with Hollywood celebrities in support of environmental issues), NASCAR driver Leilani Munter (who only accepts green sponsors for her winning race cars), and my colleague from Earth Island, Mark J. Palmer.
In front of the gates of the embassy, we met Mr. Bruce Howard, Counselor for Science, Environment and Health, representing the American ambassador. He accepted our petition, as I urged him to see that it gets to the President.
Our three volunteers each then talked with Mr. Howard telling him their own stories of why they had come halfway around the world to be here with me in Tokyo. It was an emotional meeting on what is most definitely an emotional day.
We still have a lot to do, but I feel like we accomplished an important goal—keeping this issue in the spotlight in Japan, reaching key decision makers, and hopefully educating more people in Japan about the atrocities taking place off their shores.
As for activities in the actual cove, reports are indicating that several dolphins were rounded up, a few were chosen for captivity and the others were released! So a small victory for the dolphins who escaped. The same thing happened last year when we went with cameras and media in tow. You can see that for yourself tonight on the Animal Planet mini-series, BLOOD DOLPHINS. It's directed and co-stars my son Lincoln. We follow up on THE COVE and then also take on other dolphin hotspots like the equally devastating activities in the Solomon Islands. It airs at 9:00 p.m. et/pt on Animal Planet. You can learn more and take action here:
www.earthisland.org/blooddolphins

Thank you all for your ongoing support. It is making a difference!
Ric O'Barry Campaign Director Save Japan Dolphins


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