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Marine Life & Conservation

The Dolphin’s Cry

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Sometimes, the sound of dolphin cries wakes me in the night. That sound haunts me, and I have no doubt that it will remain with me until my dying day. But remaining with it is the knowledge that I diplomatically worked with, and lived amongst, local villagers in a foreign land to educate and potentially stop those dolphin cries.

I don’t remember the first time I saw the Academy Award winning documentary, The Cove, or the first time I heard of the annual dolphin slaughter that happens in that natural finger of water along the Japanese coastline. It seems to have simply always been known to me; to have always been a part of my soul.  But I never thought that I would go there; never thought I would witness the slaughter with my own eyes or hear the dolphin cries with my own ears. Yet in November 2010, I found myself standing on the rocky shore of the Cove in Taiji, Japan, gazing out over the water of that small bay, watching dolphins thrash in utter panic and then float still as their blood colored the Cove red.

My Call-to-Action came when the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society asked me to serve as their Cove Guardian Campaign Leader on the ground at the Cove in Taiji, Japan. My initial response was to turn down this offer because I was set in my life in Seattle, Washington State. I didn’t think it was a possibility for me to leave my full-time photography career, my husband, our animals and our life in general in order to spend four months in Asia. But I longed to accept this offer, to board a plane to Japan, to stand up for my beliefs, to live my passion for active marine conservation. It broke my heart to turn my back on my dream when it was finally being presented to me.

Life continued on as usual and each time I punched the time clock like a drone, the light in my soul was extinguished a bit more. It finally took some words of wisdom from a friend and co-worker to make me fully comprehend what I had just turned down. It’s not often, it’s extremely rare actually, that we get the chance to become what we have always dreamed of becoming. This was my chance. I accepted Sea Shepherd’s offer and found myself jobless, husbandless and on a plane destined for a country I had never thought twice about until that very moment. I was going to live in Japan for four months. I was going to work at the infamous Cove where I would actively participate in marine conservation. I had been chasing this dream since I was a tiny child and announced to my second grade teacher that I was going to save every dolphin and whale in the ocean, and here I was flying toward that dream. I suppose I should have been terrified, and while I was nervous and apprehensive, never once was I scared because I knew that this was what I was born for. I had no doubt then, and no doubt now, that I made the right decision when I left my ‘American Dream’ behind and ran, with my flags unfurled, toward my destiny.

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Arriving in Japan was surreal and being at the Cove was something that words can never define. For the first time in my life, I was surrounded by like-minded individuals who completely understood, admired and respected my decision to radically change my life in order to come watch dolphins die. But it was so much more than that; each and every one of us was standing, conscious and present, bearing witness to the tragedy that takes place in that beautiful corner of the earth, so that we could serve as the voice of the voiceless; a conduit so the world could hear the dolphin’s cry.  We were the only hope those sentient beings had for raising awareness towards the heartbreaking slaughter. Every September through March, volunteers flock to the Cove in the hopes of spreading the word and making a difference.

Since my departure from Japan in early 2011, I’ve joined Ric O’Barry and his organization, Save Japan Dolphins, and have founded my own group, Blue Ocean Foundation. Both of these groups put heavy stock into the education aspect of conservation and take a diplomatic approach to their presence at the Cove. Working with the local people, including the men who hunt the dolphins, is a major focus of time spent in Japan. In addition, speaking to schools in the Seattle area and hosting education-awareness events has become a way for me to spread the word during my time at home.

The Cove forever changed me. I sacrificed a great deal in order to pursue my passions, but I gained so much more and never once have I regretted the choice I made to stand on that beach. The slaughter is harrowing, haunting, disturbing, disgraceful and horribly, horribly tragic, but I, and the vast majority of people who have stood vigil at the Cove as well, feel that it would be even more tragic for those dolphins to die alone, with no one to remember them and no one to spread the word about their deaths.

Life is too precious to live the way someone else says you should. Never, ever be afraid to follow your dreams, to stand up for what you believe in and to be your true self.

Spread the word. Raise awareness. Speak out.

For more information about the Cove, watch the Academy Award winning documentary of the same title. You can also visit the websites for Save Japan Dolphins and Blue Ocean Foundation.

Blue Ocean Foundation: http://blueoceanfoundation.blogspot.com/

Save Japan Dolphins: http://www.savejapandolphins.org/

This article is from Liberty Miller. She is a photojournalist from Seattle, Washington State. Due to her love of marine conservation and her involvement in the Seattle music scene, she has created a way to join her two passions via organizing music festivals that benefit marine conservation. For more information, visit her website: http://libertyeliasmiller.weebly.com/

Marine Life & Conservation

Double Bubble for the Shark Trust

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This week only – your donation to the Shark Trust will be doubled – at no extra cost to you!

The Shark Trust are raising vital funds for their Community Engagement Programme: empowering people to learn about sharks and rays, assisting the scientific community take action for elasmobranchs, and bring communities together to become ambassadors for change.

Every £1 you give = £2 for shark conservation. A donation of £10 becomes £20, £50 becomes £100! Help us reach our target of £10,000, if successful, this will be doubled to £20,000 by the Big Give.

Every donation makes DOUBLE the impact!

Monty Halls is backing this week of fundraising “Cousteau called sharks the “splendid savage of the sea”, and even through the more benign lens of modern shark interactions it remains a good description. The reefs I dived thirty years ago teemed with sharks, the perfect result of 450 million years of evolution. Today those same reefs are silent, the blue water empty of those elegant shadows. But hope remains that if one generation has created such devastation, so the next can reverse the damage that has been done. The Shark Trust are at the forefront of that fight.

Donate Here

To find out more about the work of the Shark Trust visit their website here.

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The Sardine Run Controversy: Are We Undervaluing One of Nature’s Greatest Shows?

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sardine run

Every year, South Africa’s Sardine Run draws thousands of visitors, eager to witness one of the most spectacular marine wildlife events on the planet. Shoals of sardines stretch for miles, attracting a feeding frenzy of predators, including dolphins, seabirds, whales, and, of course, sharks. But while this natural wonder is a goldmine for ecotourism, some argue that it disrupts marine ecosystems or that shark tourism is an unnecessary risk.

The reality?

The Sardine Run doesn’t just showcase nature’s brilliance, it actively protects it.

A Predator Worth More Alive Than Dead

Sharks are the apex predators of the Sardine Run, and their presence is a major draw for divers, filmmakers, and tourists. But beyond the thrill, there’s a critical financial argument to be made: sharks are far more valuable alive than dead. A report by Oceana found that shark ecotourism generates hundreds of millions of dollars globally, while a single dead shark, caught for its fins or meat, is worth mere pennies in comparison.

According to Pew Trusts, reef sharks in Palau contribute an estimated $1.9 million each over their lifetimes through tourism, whereas a single dead shark fetches only $108 at market. The same economic principle applies to South Africa’s waters, where a live shark supports local businesses, jobs, and conservation efforts through sustainable tourism. The question then becomes: why are some still advocating for the mass culling of these creatures when they’re worth exponentially more alive?

Sharks Are Not the Enemy

Despite their economic value, sharks face persistent threats in South Africa. Misguided fears about shark attacks fuel calls for lethal control measures like drumlines and shark nets; outdated and ecologically damaging practices that indiscriminately kill marine life, including endangered species.

Ironically, these same sharks drive South Africa’s multimillion-dollar dive tourism industry, proving that their survival is inextricably linked to the economy.

By protecting the predators of the Sardine Run, South Africa preserves an ecological spectacle while securing jobs in tourism, hospitality, and marine conservation. It’s ensuring that communities along the coast continue to benefit from this natural event for generations to come.

From Passive Observers to Active Conservationists

“In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.”

Baba Dioum’s quote perfectly encapsulates why the Sardine Run and shark conservation efforts are so vital.

“We will conserve only what we love.” Experiencing the Sardine Run first and seeing sharks glide effortlessly through bait balls and feeling the sheer energy of the ocean, creates an emotional connection that turns spectators into advocates. It’s hard not to love something so breathtakingly wild.

“We will love only what we understand.” Sharks have long been vilified, but when people see them in their natural role as apex predators, shaping marine ecosystems, their fear turns into fascination. The more we understand sharks, the more we appreciate their importance in maintaining ocean health.

“We will understand only what we are taught.” Ecotourism, like responsible Sardine Run expeditions, plays a huge role in education. Through firsthand encounters, expert guides, and conservation messaging, people learn that sharks are worth far more alive than dead. This, in turn, supports coastal economies, balancing marine ecosystems, and ensuring the future of this natural phenomenon.

Critics argue that the Sardine Run disrupts natural feeding patterns or stresses marine life due to increased human activity. However, scientific studies suggest that well-managed ecotourism can actually enhance conservation efforts. The presence of responsible tour operators discourages illegal fishing, promotes marine research, and generates funds for conservation initiatives.

Furthermore, ecotourism advocates education and awareness. Anyone who’s ever been lucky enough to experience the sardine run will tell you how incredible it is to witness the greatest shoal on Earth and often leave as passionate champions for ocean conservation. In an age where marine species are vanishing at alarming rates, the Sardine Run may be one of the few large-scale events that turn passive observers into active conservationists.

The Sardine Run is an opportunity to teach, inspire, and create lifelong ocean ambassadors. If we want to protect sharks and the marine environments they support, we need more people to experience, understand, and ultimately, fight for them.

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My Sardine Run Experience (Still Seems Surreal!)

Experiencing the Sardine Run firsthand in Cintsa on South Africa’s Wild Coast was one of the most incredible events of my life. I swam alongside foraging dusky sharks in focused grace, watched hundreds of common dolphins expertly and intelligently herd sardines into bait balls, observed the honed precision of countless Cape gannets diving, and saw gentle but giant Bryde’s whales effortlessly slicing through the schools.

My friends who stayed longer even had the amazing opportunity to interact with humpback whales. Cintsa is a hidden gem for the Sardine Run, offering an untouched wilderness without the intense competition of other operators. The encounters I had weren’t just breathtaking, they reinforced why this natural event is invaluable for conservation and ecotourism.

I will be forever grateful to Go Dive Mossel Bay for their incredible passion for the ocean and the unforgettable experiences they’ve given me. Their expertise and dedication to marine conservation made my Sardine Run adventure in Cintsa extraordinary. Cintsa is truly a hidden gem for the Sardine Run, offering an intimate, untouched wilderness where the ocean comes alive without the crowds.

The Bottom Line: The Sardine Run is Vital for Conservation in South Africa

The real controversy isn’t whether the Sardine Run is good or bad for conservation. It’s why we aren’t doing more to protect the species that make it so extraordinary.

Instead of fearing sharks or debating their presence, we should be celebrating them as a cornerstone of South Africa’s ecotourism economy.

Every shark in the Sardine Run represents a long-term financial investment, one that benefits local communities far more than a fleeting profit from finning or culling.

So, the next time someone asks whether the Sardine Run is a threat, remind them of this: a dead shark is worth a few dollars, but a live shark fuels an entire industry. South Africa’s future… both ecological and economic… depends on making the right choice.

godive.co.za/keep-fin-alive

Photos: Frogfish Photography

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