Red October… Not so much

Posted on by Elora Malama West

The first day to the start of “Red October” is quiet and calm! No dolphins, no protesters, no police, no ‘black vans (that are supposed to be coming? I don’t know what that was supposed to mean)…. It’s wonderful! I’ll have more later 🙂 We will see what the day brings me.

For the Animals,

Elora Malama

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Published by Elora Malama West

Elora Malama West (23) got her start in conservation and environmentalism in the fall of 2010 at age 16, when she accompanied her father, Scott West, to Taiji, Japan for the first Sea Shepherd Conservation Society Cove Guardian campaign. They spent three months on the ground reporting everyday about the plight of the dolphins. While there Elora began this blog, A Teenage Activist: This Girl’s Soapbox and encouraged thousands of people to call the Japanese embassies in their area to protest the dolphin slaughter. Her young age combined with her blog reports brought international attention to what is happening in Taiji, Japan. Elora participated in the first ever meeting between the mayor of Taiji and the SSCS activists opposing the town’s annual slaughter. Currently finishing her Bachelors degree (in Creative Writing and Communications), Elora continues to participate on various projects in an effort to make the world a better place. RESUME: 2010 Taiji Japan- Sea Shepherd Cove Guardians Co-founder of the Infinite Patience Campaign in 2010 (90 days on the ground) Returning Crew member in March 2012 See reports here. December 2010 – June 2015 Sea Shepherd Conservation Society – Advisory Board Member Children’s Education and Activities (Resigned) 2012 High School Graduate 2012 SEA SHEPHERD AUSTRALIA 3 Months with Sea Shepherd Australia’s Operation Zero Tolerance to defend the whales in the Australian Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. (Early departure due to illness) 2012 Sea Shepherd Dam Guardian Campaign – Oregon Washington Volunteer. Graduated with Associate of Arts: Shoreline Community College 2013-2014 Executive Assistant to Paul Watson Return to school: Junior Year- Studied Media Activism at Burlington College 2014 GRINDSTOP 2014 Volunteer Coordinator for the Sea Shepherd Global campaign Operation GrindStop 2014. Accepted with Distinction at Western Washington University Elora is completing her senior year of college at WWU. 2014-2015 LA TALK RADIO – STATE OF THE OCEANS Elora acted full time as the Youth Correspondent and Media Activist for the radio show State of the Oceans, on LA Talk Radio for over a year. She now occasionally guest hosts. The show features panelists: Paul Watson, Sia and Shane Barbi, Jani Shultz, and weekly guests. Click here for show website. 2015 Associate Producer on upcoming Peter Jay Brown documentary. Work with Kids Various school assembly speeches and grade school class lectures/projects (In both the United States and Australia)

13 thoughts on “Red October… Not so much”

  3. How many people here think that Blackfish did free some dolphins, but the Japanese are denying it to save face and to avoid encouraging future efforts? I personally think that Blackfish was successful. They probaby know how to cut a net, and some of the dolphins probably figured out how to escape through the hole. Why else would the japanese respond so quickly the next day?

    1. I was reading an article on the Huffington Post today written by Hardy Jones, and he said that the dolphins would not escape unless they were driven out of the cove – even though they can easily jump over the nets, and swim under them they won’t for some reason. So I tend to believe that none escaped – here’s the article http://huff.to/aeOpC8

      Super glad there aren’t any dolphins in The Cove right now. For whatever reason – thanks to Taiji for that.

  5. I’m so glad that no dolphins were captured. The Cove was on again last night and I DVR’d it so I could show it to some family members. It was just as heartbreaking for me as the first time 😦 It’s amazing how that movie can change people. My father (who I’ve seen cry twice my whole life) had tears in his eyes. He used to go away to work in Japan when I was growing up. He was so amazed that after going and living there all those years, and basically being indoctrinated into their lifestyle and culture, that this has been secretly happening for so long. It really upset him. So just by showing “The Cove”, the dolphin fight has one more supporter.

    I just pray that all the pressure with you guys being there and the attention from the Blackfish sting, is making them think twice about the slaughter.

    Craig– the thought has definitely crossed my mind. I know Blackfish has stated they are unsure if any dolphins were able to escape since it was so dark. But if they did get the chance to escape, Taiji definitely has reason to lie for fear of more attempts at setting the dolphins free.

  7. don’t worry for them yet, they are holding a massive rally in tokyo against china for the senkaku island incident. They won’t come this week end, next one maybe.
    But yes take care, they seems really agressive (they are the one who wanted a death penalty for pete bethune), unless there is a few policemen with you stay away from them.

    1. Yeah! Well, we expect a SWAT like team to be here. Because it will get really crazy. I’m not worried for me, I’m worried for my dad. They lay one pinkie on me and I’ll start a huge international incident. 🙂 Thanks!

  8. That is GREAT NEWS!!! Keep up the good work:) . What will happen when you leave? they may start the slaughter again if there are no cameras:( I wish I had the finance and the good health to be there right now:(

  9. What will happen when you leave?? for some reason when I post a comment ere it isnt showing up:( Keep up the good work:)

  10. Hey Elora, good to hear! We are in Nagoya now. After 2 days in Tokyo we had another night in the bus. All is well here. See you. Regards, SoMaRo

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