THIS BLOG PAGE IS NOT ONLY ABOUT CETACEAN RIGHTS.
IT IS ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF ANIMALS EVERYWHERE.
 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
29 Comments
Jodie Hillier
27/2/2023 22:14:35
The one hope I have right now is today the 28th February 2023 is hopefully the last day of the Dolphin Drive Hunt. Kunito Seko will continue to document the captives every day during the off season and I pray he is finally able to do this in peace. For all the lives lost during the hunt that have been overlooked because of the bullying, I apologise and you are not and never will be forgotten 🙏💙🐬 28/2/2023 11:08:39
Amen to that, Jodie!
Shelley Guinn
1/3/2023 12:20:51
Thank Jodie for standing up and speaking out. You are a step ahead.
Jodie Hillier
1/3/2023 21:17:41
Thank you so much Shelley, Kunito is definitely 100% dedicated. He give’s everything he has for the dolphins and even when the season is over he still documents the captives. He does it for his love and dedication of dolphins. Not for donations and accolades.
Elizabeth Girouard
27/2/2023 22:35:15
Kunito and several other activists do it for the love of the dolphins, not for the love of money. Let them do their jobs in peace and quit harassing them. 28/2/2023 10:34:48
Thanks for taking the time to make comment, Elizabeth. I couldn't agree with you more. The kind of behaviour shown by DP's and LIA's supporters is utterly unacceptable. Sadly, these charity antics are nothing new, as I too have suffered at the hands of these so-called caring charities and their supporters. So, if it's any consolation to Kunito, he is not alone. Read this link to learn more.
Tracey Ozdemir
28/2/2023 04:55:37
Kunito is a true dolphin defender, he is there documenting come rain, hail or shine. It saddens me that others see the filming of the capture and slaughter as a competition and a six month period to get in as many donations possible. Back when Sea Sheps were on the ground it was all about sharing the posts to reach those that were unaware and about contacting every source possible with their footage, be it Governments, Embassies, Media etc. Till eventually SS were stopped from entering and deported. If successful on entering after a full interrogation they were given maps with NO GO ZONES clearly marked. I question what was the difference that you could pass through as a member of DP but not as a SS. O'barry also raised funds to buy Angel, but Angel is still held captive. what happened to that funding? Also when Barry was held for questioning, funds were raised for a lawyer to free him, yet he was free to go but O'barry refused and claimed he was staying to bring attention to Taiji, So why was funding needed for his freedom? Now it seems Kunito is going through the same fight to document the cove, but those that want to stop him are the ones that are supposedly fighting for the same cause. Things do not add up, DP and LIA are causing a huge divide with the toxic people around them. Dolphins are dying and kidnapped and yet orgs seem more interested in their name, ego and money. The atrocities will never end with this divide and hatred, I believe that Taiji will end, but because they are over hunting in these waters, that many species will just vanish, we are seeing this already. New species was added to the quota a couple of years back but we are not even seeing them driven in. Blue cove days we all celebrate, but these days concern me too, as there seems to be more of them each season, and the pods that are driven in are much smaller. So dolphins and small whales are rapidly diminishing. So if this bullying does not stop, that is going to be a very sad day for the dolphins as they are quite simply been wiped out. Many are now turning their backs on the cause because of the fighting and false accusations coming from DP and LIA. The bullying has now extended to what I call poisonous pen letters in the inbox to those that support Kunito. It has to stop. Kunito stands alone and is intimidated, they take pictures of him and make videos out of the pictures and put them on YouTube, this is beyond outrageous. You confront the enemy and they can not give evidence to their accusations it is just lie after lie. I sat on the side-lines just watching it all unfold, then I thought enough is enough. They have full on attacked Kunito, Jodie and myself. It is like water off a ducks back to me and I just carryon regardless. But Kunito it has really taken a toll on him, they are trying to push him out. It is just beyond crazy the more that document the atrocities the better, more so because what one camera lens misses another could capture. I think some people need to back off and to be polite just shut their mouths and keep out of it, they just add fuel to the fire. We all want peace in the cove for the dolphins, but we want Kunito to be able to do what he does best in peace also. 28/2/2023 10:43:40
Oh, Tracey Ozdemir! What a truly insightful lady you are! I can find nothing in your comment that I disagree with. In fact, it's worthy of a blog in its own right. What is happening to Kunito is nothing new. As you already know, the UK ceta charities have been blackballing me and my award-winning expose for years, despite its being used in educational establishments and appearing as a UK museum exhibit.
Jodie Hillier
28/2/2023 22:36:05
Tracey, perfectly said. The vicious and very personal attacks and threats that have been made have honestly left me stunned. Kunito literally lives for the dolphins but his detractors live to destroy him and his supporters. They like leave random comments after personal attacks that we are here for the dolphins but then they are quick to jump back in the ring for another round of character assassination. The plight of the dolphins quickly slip their minds. We however will not forget the dolphins slaughtered and the captives. They are who we fight for!
Shelley Guinn
1/3/2023 12:20:08
Tracy I agree 100% with everything you have said. I was going to write alot of the exact same thing! I share so much in your opinions about everything right down to the depletion of these dolphins. I have seen it happening over the years. And instead of focusing on the issues like this..The big charities want to fight! SMH!
Jodie Hillier
3/3/2023 09:17:19
Shelley you are so right! There were several species that weren’t caught this season and that speaks volumes of what the hunters are doing to the dolphins. They will eventually wipe them out just like the other town did.
Kunito Seko
28/2/2023 10:46:51
They are using dolphins to collect donations. And harassment of me, sexual harassment of former female supporters💩 28/2/2023 11:15:14
We are so happy that you have made comment, Kunito, as we know that English is not your native language.
Jodie Hillier
3/3/2023 09:20:47
You will always have my support Kunito. You aren’t in this for accolades or money. This is your passion. I have watched you on livestream when you have been so sick that you should have been in hospital. But you kept going. You are an inspiration 28/2/2023 11:04:21
I watch the documentation every year and do my best to raise awareness and help people to see that captivity is wrong. 28/2/2023 11:37:32
Thank you for taking time to comment, Pixie Lynda.
Jodie Hillier
28/2/2023 22:44:37
Pixie, thank you so much. You are 100% correct. I have seen a little bit of in fighting during the years, but this year is unlike anything I have ever seen. It’s times the orgs took responsibility for their own failures and stopped blaming others.
Samantha McCall
1/3/2023 10:39:31
We love you kunito 2/3/2023 10:55:02
Reading these blog comments, it's clear that there are a lot of people who share your feelings, Samantha. Thank you for expressing your support for Kunito.
Jodie Hillier
2/3/2023 23:25:26
Thank you so much Samantha. It means so much to Kunito to know he has so much support.
Shelley Guinn
1/3/2023 12:53:48
My comments…exactly what Tracey O says in her amazing comment. I agree with David that it is deserving if a blog in its own right. 2/3/2023 11:04:34
Wow! This is dynamite, Shelley Guinn. Judging by the comments on this blog post, the bullying allegations against these charities have certainly ruffled feathers - all, thus far, in support of Kunito and his work under what can only be described as extreme circumstances.
Jodie Hillier
3/3/2023 09:37:14
Thank you so much Shelley. Some of the vitriol I have heard, seen, read and been on the receiving end of simply because I stood up for Kunito simply left me speechless. Comments like “love you long time Kunito” group, “Kunito’s Kult”, “the anti round eye movement” just to name a few are absolutely deplorable. Then you have one org on livestream sticking up for the hunters saying “don’t attack them, they are just doing their job” and the same person last season running around demanding the police arrest the hunters mid slaughter. I honestly just can’t wrap my head around it. And it’s made worse by the fact that the bullying and harassment was repeatedly reported to the ORG being represented on the ground and they did nothing. 5/3/2023 11:34:23
Like all true Ric O'Barry believers, they see no evil, hear no evil and cover up evil. Who am I referring to? The WWF Ocean Heroes charity FB page. A page that, obviously, by its actions, condones the bullying of Kunito Seko by Mr O'Barry's DP and LIA thugs.
Bryce Woodley
6/3/2023 01:17:03
I have chosen to follow Kunito's reporting of the events that happen in Taiji because I don't always like the way Ren and LIA go about their business. I do, however, believe your criticism of Dolphin Project is harsh. They haven't been able to go because of covid and I was there with them in 2019. When I was there, there was no sign of LIA or anyone else above the Cove on slaughter/capture days. So I personally have not witnessed any Japanese activists at the time I was there. 6/3/2023 15:21:56
Thank you for taking the time to make comment, Bryce, on what you deem to be a blog unfriendly towards Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project. It is a well-crafted comment.
Jodie Hillier
6/3/2023 23:38:38
Hi Bryce, thank you for your feedback. My reasoning for no longer being able to support DP or LIA is simple. I can not in good conscience follow or support groups who bully or are in the middle of a livestream and actually stop to tell everyone who is watching to “don’t attack the hunters, they are just doing their jobs”. This coming from the same man who last season was running around in a crazed state demanding the Police arrest the hunters for slaughtering a pod. (He is also suing them) Then during every livestream Ren demands donations. Yes, demands in a very aggressive way while the blood of dolphins stains the water! DONATIONS DONATIONS DONATIONS, over and over again. There is a time and place to ask for donations and while dolphins are being slaughtered is NOT one of them. LIA are representing DP on the ground in Taiji. Their actions reflect back onto DP. Both of their watermarks are on the images that are released. I along with MULTIPLE people contacted Ric and Helene personally to report the harassment and bullying of Kunito. Ric ignored the message, Helene replied saying, among other things, that she was unaware of it. She then gave her opinion on what she thought of the hunters as they did their jobs. I have screenshots. Then the next morning Helene unsent that message and replaced it with “we are unaware of any bullying taking place” In my opinion, if you are an ORG as big as DP and you have another group representing you on the ground then you need to put a stop to any conflict. Stop the group from taking countless photos of the other activist and posting them along with derogatory statements, stop them making half hour long videos about the amount of space there is to film. DP after all filmed side by side with SS for many years in the exact same spot and there was none of this pettiness going on. It was about the Dolphins. They didn’t personally attack a supporter of one group simply because they supported that group and not the other. 9/3/2023 11:35:20
A big thank you to all who have ‘liked’ or made comment on Jodie Hillier’s excellent blog about the bullying of Taiji activist, Kunito Seko.
Jodie Hillier
11/3/2023 04:39:28
Thank you so much David and Tracy. I am blown away with how well this blog has been received. I think it was something that people needed to read at the right time. Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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