THE PERFECT PAIR DOLPHIN TRILOGY PRESENTS JODIE HILLIER: THE CHARITY BULLYING OF TAIJI ACTIVIST KUNITO SEKO

​Bullying - Let’s Talk Taiji!
 
Do you remember what it was like to be bullied at school? Or were you one of the bullies? Or perhaps you just stayed on the side-lines and watched? Unfortunately, bullying doesn’t stop at school, it doesn’t end when you grow up. In fact, it seems to get worse. Even more so online. This is especially true for my friend, dolphin activist Kunito Seko, and seemingly anyone who supports him.

So why is Japanese activist, Kunito Seko, being attacked?

He gets up every morning before the sun rises and waits to see if the banger boats go out to hunt for migrating dolphins. If they go out, he waits until they either return empty-handed or there is a formation.
 
If there is a formation, he will livestream, but not from above the Cove like he used to. He has been accused of “stealing” the space and not sharing. Accused of placing oversized equipment there early so other activists can’t use the same spot - the same spot where, for many years, two large groups stood side by side and filmed every season.
 
So, what’s the problem? Why is Kunito being attacked over a “space”?

The man accusing Kunito of this unforgiveable crime used to be his friend. Kunito let Ren Yabuki stay in his home. They would livestream together, and Ren would literally beg people to visit Kunito’s Amazon Wishlist and buy him much-needed equipment.
 
Then, as happens with many activists, the wheel fell off. I don’t know when this happened, but when it did, it was fast and vicious. In fact, since this sudden fall-out, Kunito and his friends (including me) have suffered a plethora of unfair criticism which is tantamount to extreme bullying.
 
One activist even labelled Kunito an “Influencer trying to make money!” She exclaimed, “Very bad to make money with the pain and horrifying slaughter of dolphins!! Stop following Kunito!!”
 
Stop following Kunito??? Why, for goodness’ sake? Aren’t we all supposed to be on the same side? Aren’t we all trying to stop the Taiji dolphin massacre?
 
Sadly, judging by the behaviour of those attacking Kunito, it appears not.

This is especially relevant when it comes to Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project and the LIA, organisations that clearly view monetary donations above dolphin welfare.
 
So, when does enough become enough? When do activists supporting certain charities stop this nonsense and start focusing on the dolphins again?
 
Kunito Seko hasn’t wavered in his fight to raise awareness. Multiple people have contacted Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project to let them know about the ongoing bullying and harassment he is suffering.

Sadly, they have chosen NOT to act, which appears to condone their helpers’ bullying behaviour.

So, here is my message to the charity bully-boys. You asked for a solution to end the hostility, but (true to form) didn’t give me the chance to air it. Here it is! Film from above the Cove on ALTERNATE days and stop ganging up on Kunito. Let him do HIS job and you do YOURS. It’s not rocket science; in fact, it’s pretty damn simple.
 
All Kunito Seko cares about is documenting what happens to those poor dolphins. So, leave him be and let him do that. Then, rather than attacking hard-working activists, you can use all that extra time you have on your hands to raise awareness about the plight of the Taiji dolphins.
 
After all, that’s what we’re all SUPPOSED to be fighting for - isn’t it?
 
Jodie Hillier, Activist

THE PERFECT PAIR DOLPHIN TRILOGY’S COMMENT
 
When Jodie first submitted this blog to The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy website, we had some trepidation about posting it, as we didn’t want to be accused of pouring fuel on the fire. So, why did we?
 
Well, this blog perfectly illustrates the wanton self-interest of the ceta charities involved. Nothing new, as the ceta charities’ activist supporters have been back-biting for the last 50 years to our knowledge. So, why does this happen?
 
These activists work against each other to protect their favourite charities’ self-professed expert status - a mind-set covertly encouraged by the charity directors themselves to ringfence their dwindling money trains.
 
Yes, folks! That’s what we said: MONEY TRAINS. Because “saving” dolphins is indeed BIG money, especially for those animal charities and would-be celebs who front them. This is the reason why they jealously slam the doors on any individuals who they deem to be a threat.
 
So, for all those wailing at our approval of this blog, let us bring you a few home truths:

The Taiji slaughter has been covered by different charities for around the last 50 years – Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project and Sea Shepherd to name but two. So, what have they achieved? It appears NOTHING! In fact, the bloody Taiji slaughter has grown even more lucrative for its Japanese gang masters. FACT!
 
Speaking of said charities, Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project deems the coverage of the Taiji horror show as its own. Do you recall O’Barry’s all-too-public break-up with Earth Island Institute and their squabble over money?
 
https://www.dolphinproject.com/blog/an-important-note-from-ric-obarry-2/
 
Not to mention their disgruntled acceptance of Sea Shepherd, who eventually got kicked out of Taiji by the Japanese authorities.

Yet, strangely, Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project was allowed to remain. WHY?

As for Kunito Seko, all dolphin lovers would do well to accept that change can only come from within, meaning that Japanese activists such as Kunito are of vital importance if we are to stand any chance of ending this wanton genocide.
 
So, we have a message for all the caring charities and their supporters who are squabbling on the Taiji cliffs: you are not the be all and end all in saving dolphins. There are thousands of dedicated activists who work tirelessly and deserve to be heard …

NOT silenced in the interest of YOUR incomes!

Tracy J Holroyd, Cert Ed, BA(Hons), Member of the Society of Authors
David C Holroyd, Member of the Society of Authors