Monday, 16 September 2013 

This is your chance to do your part
to defend the dolphins and small whales of Taiji.
Photo: Sea ShepherdSea Shepherd Conservation Society is proud to announce its "From the Cove to Captivity" Video Contest! This is your chance to do your part to defend the dolphins and small whales of Taiji.

Annually from September to March, thousands of wild dolphins and small whales (pilot whales belong to the dolphin family) are driven into the shallow waters of the infamous killing Cove in Taiji.  Most are slaughtered and die swimming in their own blood and that of their family members.  The rest are sold into a grim life of captive display — of performing circus tricks for dead fish and swimming endless circles in a tiny tank.  Of the nearly 1,500 dolphins driven into the Cove during the 2012-2013 drive hunt, approximately 900 were killed and about 250 were forced into a dismal life in captivity. This is no life at all.  They will never know freedom. They will never see their families or the oceans again. Ever.

We need your help to tell the world about these inhumane acts! Create a short video — in either English or Japanese — that shows what happens to dolphins and small whales in Taiji, Japan, and you could have your work featured on the official Sea Shepherd Conservation Society website and social media channels & win some great prizes! More importantly, YOU could play a role in exposing and helping to end these atrocities.

Your video should expose the stark truth about the brutal Taiji dolphin slaughter and the related international trade in captive dolphins. Your task is to do this without the use of profanity, racism, or direct attacks on any individuals or specific corporations.  Be creative, be original, do not infringe on any third-party rights, and keep your video to three (3) minutes or less.

A panel of filmmakers will judge the contest entries. Two winners and two runners up will be selected:  one winner and one runner up in English language and one winner and one runner up in Japanese. These videos will be featured on the official Sea Shepherd Conservation Society website and social media outlets. The creators of the winning videos will each win $350 USD and a Sea Shepherd prize package including Cove Guardian t-shirts signed by the 2013-2014 Cove Guardians. Each runner up will be awarded a Sea Shepherd merchandise prize package including a Cove Guardian t-shirt signed by the 2013-2014 Cove Guardians.

"We think this contest is a great way to engage our supporters around the world," said Senior Cove Guardian leader, Melissa Sehgal. "Not everyone is able to come to Taiji but people still want to defend these imperiled dolphins. This is one way everyone can get involved," she added.

So, grab your video cameras and get busy! You have until January 1, 2014 to submit your video. Entries are eligible to be submitted from any country in the world but must be produced in either the English or Japanese language. Only one entry per person, please, and make sure to accompany your entry with a completed Video Contest Entry Form. Read here for complete contest rules and regulations and be sure to check out our videos from veteran Cove Guardians Melissa and Izumi below. We look forward to seeing your creativity in action!