Dolphin Project Cove Monitor Application Logo
  • Introduction


    Thank you for your interest in helping the dolphins of Taiji. Ric O’Barry, Founder/Director of Dolphin Project and his team of volunteers and staff thank you for your interest in becoming a Cove Monitor. We are looking for candidates with strong writing, video and photography skills who embrace Ric’s peaceful approach to work in Taiji. Please read the information below carefully and provide requested application materials if you’d like to be considered for the Cove Monitor training program and/or a Cove Monitor position in Taiji this coming season, which runs from September 1 to the end of February or beginning of March each year. If you attend the training for a two-week period with an experienced Cove Monitor to learn the routine, we hope that you will return to serve as a Cove Monitor either later this coming season, if your schedule and nances allow, or next year, if the hunts have not yet ended. We are committed to having coverage at the Cove for the entire drive hunting season.

    Purpose and Responsibilities of a Cove Monitor


    Our mission in Japan is exclusively a peaceful one. Our educational campaign in Taiji emphasizes forging constructive dialogues and building lasting bonds with people in Japan, as well as documenting and reporting on the ongoing hunts. Having volunteer monitors in Taiji during the six-month annual hunt season for dolphins is part of the Dolphin Project’s broader strategy to end the slaughter of dolphins and the capture of dolphins in Taiji for captivity.

    We work to bring international pressure against the dolphin hunts, in part, by posting daily onto Dolphin Project’s social media accounts, our website and other media-accessed sites. Information received from Cove Monitors is key to writing blogs, photologs and press releases, designed to disseminate critical information about the hunts across the world. Our conviction is that killing dolphins is not a “culturally” protected activity.

    We further work to educate the people of Japan about Taiji’s drive hunts (many Japanese within Japan did not know that dolphins were hunted until our campaign). We educate about the dangers of eating mercury-contaminated dolphin meat (Article 21 of the Japanese Constitution guarantees that the Japanese people have a right to know).

    Additionally, we focus on sustainable alternatives for the dolphin hunters, concentrating on eco-tourism that does not involve harming and/or capturing dolphins. We know that establishing a rapport and respectful dialogue with the people of Japan are essential to ending the hunts.

    For details about the dolphin slaughter in Japan, please visit our Taiji FAQ page.

  • Your role as a Volunteer Cove Monitor is critical to our continuing efforts to stop the hunts. Your primary duties will be:

    • Observe, document and report on the hunts on a daily basis working with others as a team.

    • Follow instructions and maintain communication with our Cove Monitor Coordinator and team at all times.

    • Do your best to record the hunts via cameras, video, and verbal description, which you can write up to help prepare our blogs. You need not be an expert, and the dolphin hunters have put much of the hunts off limits to viewers like us from the shore, but we hope you can do your best. Volunteer Cove Monitors have done an excellent job in reporting on what is going on and photographing the hunts under very difficult conditions. You can get an idea of what is involved by going through our Volunteer Cove Monitor blogs here: http://dolphinproject. net/blogs/ Do not worry if you are duplicating other blogs and photographs, etc. While the hunts are sometimes similar in nature, your personal impressions and perspective of each hunt will create a compelling narrative and encourage people to take action.

    • Communicate on a daily basis with our Volunteer Cove Monitor Crew in the United States/Canada. They will take and edit your photos and written observations into our daily blogs and post them online. Information about the blogs will be posted on our other Social Media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). You will be asked to follow our procedure to upload photos, videos and reports to our system on a daily basis. Please familiarize yourself with our social media policies; drive-related posts and updates are to be posted to Dolphin Project accounts.

    • Maintain a peaceful and friendly presence in Taiji. Ric O’Barry and our Campaign do not “blame” the Japanese people for these hunts (the hunts are carried out virtually in secret and the Japan government controls the media, so the Japanese public are not involved). You are a representative of Ric and the Dolphin Project. We do not seek to violate any laws; in fact, our relations with the police are quite good – they often are helpful to us and protect us from the dolphin hunters. We need you to maintain these good relations. You should not harass anyone verbally or physically. We do not tolerate any actions that could be perceived as anti-Japanese. We do not support a “boycott” of Japan. We are there to peacefully observe the hunts and not make any trouble. (However, rest assured that the Japanese government and the dolphin hunters are aware of our presence at all times and that it is a major source of irritation to them.)

    • Reach out to local people. It is hard (unless you speak Japanese) to communicate much in Taiji as English language skills are usually not strong among the locals. But we try to make friends as we can. Several policemen speak some English. Use your imagination and try to engage the local people; most are very friendly. Those who are not- stay away from them.

  • IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ


    VOLUNTEER MONITOR AGREEMENT


    LIABILITY: I agree and accept that if selected as a Volunteer Monitor at the Cove, I will not be covered by Worker’s Compensation Insurance (medical coverage or loss of wages) for injury that may occur while acting as a Volunteer Monitor, which shall include all travel to and from my home of origin as well as to and from Japan. As a Volunteer Monitor I agree to release Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project, and its directors, officers, shareholders and agents from all actions, claims or demands for any injury or damage resulting directly or indirectly from my participation as a Volunteer Monitor even if the injury or damage was caused by any negligence of an employee, officer, director, agent, or contractor of Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project. I understand that as a Volunteer Cove Monitor I am not an agent of Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project and remain individually liable for my actions at all times. I further agree that I have no right or authority to enter into any agreements or obligations on behalf of Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project.

    COSTS: I understand that it can be expensive to participate as a Volunteer Monitor in Japan. Some of the costs involved include, but are not limited to: roundtrip airfare to Osaka (prices vary based on date and departure location), hotel ($50-$100 a night), car rental ($70-90 a day), food ($20-$60 a day), and gas (about $7.00/gal.). An international driver’s license is also required to drive in Japan. We recommend a minimum of 2 weeks in Taiji, Japan. Due to the remote location and time involved to get there, many Volunteer Monitors assume shifts of 3-12 weeks. Volunteer Monitors agree to assume all expenses involved and recognize there is no stipend or fee paid.

    FUNDRAISING: I understand that ALL FUNDRAISING for expenses must be PRE-APPROVED. Dolphin Project authorizes fundraising through its Crowdrise page. This is the only approved fundraising platform if you wish to mention our organization. AFTER your application has been approved, you can set up your fundraising campaign on our Crowdrise page. A fundraising agreement will be provided when you are notified of your Cove Monitor Application approval.

    RISKS: Risks associated with serving as a Volunteer Monitor at the Cove may include accidental injury; heat and cold related risks (hypothermia, heat exhaustion) from being out in the weather to observe hunts; harm from typhoons, tsunamis, earthquakes or other extreme weather events; Fukushima nuclear radiation fallout (so far, Taiji is out of the main fallout zones of that accident); food contamination; and/or highly unexpected violence from dolphin hunters or their extreme nationalist supporters. So far, we have not had any such problems. Be especially careful at all times to carry your passport and avoid any chance of being arrested for violating local laws. As mentioned above, we have good relations with the police because we are polite, we go out of our way to check in with them, and we make sure we are obeying all restrictions. Generally speaking, there are certain areas around the Cove that are posted against trespass, as well as some of the piers and other properties around Taiji. Obey these signs and, if you are unsure, ask a policeman. If you are arrested, ask to be able to contact your national embassy and Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project, but be aware that once you are arrested, the legal system in Japan is not very nice. You can be held for weeks without even being charged with a crime, and the police can legally make your jail time very uncomfortable.

    MORE ABOUT FUKUSHIMA: There has been serious damage to the Japanese nuclear power plants near Fukushima. This accident has included discharges of radiation to the air and water. While Taiji is a considerable distance from Fukushima and thus appears safe from such effects so far, there are unanswered questions about to what extent radiation contamination is a problem. For example, you will not be able to tell where your food comes from or whether it is absolutely safe to eat (unless you bring your own). This is a reality throughout Japan now. You need to consider your own health and safety in your decision-making to act as a Volunteer Monitor.

    PEACEFUL, NON-CONFRONTATIONAL: Some people want to come to Taiji with us under the impression we are going to confront or impede the hunts physically, or at least scream at the Japanese. If that is your intent, our Cove Monitor program is not suitable for you. We are strictly peaceful and non-confrontational with the police and local people of Taiji. What some of them (and it is a small minority) is doing is horrible to see but they are doing their jobs as they have done for several decades now. It will be the Japanese people who will stop the hunts in Taiji, not Westerners like us. We are there to bring the truth to the people of the world and especially to the Japanese people, but we cannot do so if we break the law or act impolitely.

    In becoming a Volunteer Monitor at the Cove I agree to abide by the terms as found in this Agreement and to follow Ric O’Barry’s lead in being peaceful and non-confrontational. It is important to acknowledge and understand the boundaries we have to work within while in Japan to ensure that they are never violated.

  • SOCIAL MEDIA POSTING POLICY

    Please understand that these policies exist for your safety and privacy, as well as the safety of fellow Cove Monitors and Dolphin Project’s campaign as a whole. The Cove Monitor program is intended to bring attention to the hunts, and therefore all social media posts (whether by you on behalf of Dolphin Project, or on your personal accounts) should emphasize those issues. Our social media accounts and campaigns are not an avenue for you to gain new followers.

    Pre-arrival:

    1) No social media posts about going to Taiji (particularly dates/travel plans)
    2) Please ask your friends not to post or tag you regarding your departure
    3) Recommended: Adjust FB settings to highest privacy/no auto tagging/turn off location/no sharing of posts
    4) Recommended: Set Instagram/Twitter to private for duration of stay

    While in Taiji:

    1) If a post is drive-related, it must be posted on Dolphin Project’s accounts. You may share those posts personally at a later time. During a drive, your obligation and role is to document for Dolphin Project. It is not a time for personal social media or gathering footage for personal use.
    2) Our policy is not to mention names at any time in any Dolphin Project posts or Live Streams, unless pre-approved.
    3) No real-time social media posts should be made to any personal account--must be on a delay (after you have left the area) so that your current location is not revealed
    ** This particularly applies to Instagram Stories, Snapchat, etc.
    4) Blog posts: Cove Monitors can submit first-hand personal blogs for review to potentially be used by Dolphin Project with author credits. Cove Monitors will report each day’s events in detail for staff writers to prepare blogs.
    5) Dolphin Project posts should never include personal social media account information.
    6) DP Live Streams and photos should stay focused on the subject matter; they should not feature Cove Monitors unless there is a necessary reason for doing so, or pre-approved. All videos and pictures will be credited as Dolphin Project.
    7) Personal posts: Post content should be in good taste and conform with DP ethics/messaging, as you are speaking as a representative of Dolphin Project at all times during your time in Japan, even if off-duty. If the post relates to the Taiji campaign, consult with the Cove Monitor Coordinator whether it should be first posted to Dolphin Project’s account. Personal travel images, etc. are permitted so long as they remain in good taste. Be aware that your accounts are likely being monitored at all times and that they may find their way to public attention.
    8) We heavily discourage tagging other CMs who are with you in Taiji, or naming other members of the team, to protect their privacy and security.
    9) When visiting the TWM, you are there to document captivity conditions and footage should reflect that. You are not there as a visitor, and Cove Monitors are not to interact with animals (participate in feeding, touching, etc.)
    10) Do NOT share your departure date from Taiji or travel plans at any time.

    Assume that police, extremists, and others are viewing at all times, and keep safety and privacy issues at the forefront of your mind.

    Application Steps:

    After considering the expense, risks and time involved to become a Volunteer Monitor, if you would like to apply to join us as a Cove Monitor, please include a brief resume of qualifications, including experience with a camera, writing, social media, film, travel, etc. Feel free to include anything that you feel might be of benefit in evaluating your skills and preparedness. Once your application has been reviewed, we will contact you regarding your request. If you are chosen to be a Volunteer Monitor at the Cove, you will be matched in the field with one of our trained monitors to help show you the routine and orient you. We ask that you plan on staying for two weeks for this initial training period. And we are always available to help if you need direction or have questions.

    By signing this Agreement I acknowledge that I have read this Agreement and I the understand the terms and responsibilities contained in this Agreement and I agree to abide by same.

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  • Cove Monitor Application

  • Emergency Contact Information

  • Disclose all social media accounts, any affiliations with brands, organizations, etc.

    If none, please type NA in the first field

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  • List your available dates for serving as a Cove Monitor during the upcoming dolphin hunt season, with a recommended shift of two weeks with an experienced Cove Monitor in Taiji.

    (Feel free to leave blank any months, and let us know possible date ranges when available.)

  • Your signature below confirms that you have read all information contained in this document carefully. It also confirms that you understand Dolphin Project’s Conduct Policy while in Japan and agree to assume the expenses, risks and responsibilities listed.

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  • Other Ways to Help Dolphins:

    If you would like to do more to help dolphins, please visit our Take Action page. 

  • PLEASE NOTE: Your application submission will be reviewed as soon as possible, but please understand that we may not be able to respond to every applicant. Applicants will be contacted for an interview if there is a good fit. Thank you for your interest!

  • For the dolphins,

    Ric O’Barry, Founder/Director of Dolphin Project

    Tim Burns – Coordinator: Cove Monitor Program

    Lincoln O’Barry – Media Manager

    Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project
    171 Pier Ave #234
    Santa Monica, CA 90405
    www.DolphinProject.com
    contact@dolphinproject.com
    Tim@dolphinproject.com

  • Confidentiality Agreement

    This Confidentiality Agreement (“Agreement”) is made effective as of {date} by and between Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project (“RODP”) and myself, {name}. In consideration of my association with RODP, which for the purposes of this Agreement shall be defined to include my association with any and all staff members, volunteers, affiliates, and/or international subsidiaries/branches of RODP, whether or not incorporated in their respective countries of location, I agree that:

    Confidentiality

    (a) Confidential Information. The success of RODP depends upon the proper safeguarding of Confidential Information (“Confidential Information”) developed within RODP or entrusted to RODP by clients, consultants, business associates, and other third parties (such as donors, supporters, etc.). Some of the information I receive may also touch upon the privacy interests of individuals affiliated with RODP and must be safeguarded for that reason as well. I promise to preserve the confidentiality of RODP’s private and confidential information that is learned or developed by and/or disclosed to me through my association with RODP and to use all such information only as necessary and appropriate for RODP’s legitimate business purposes. I also promise to safeguard against disclosure without the prior written consent of RODP all information touching on the privacy interests of employees, volunteers, and clients of RODP.

    Such Confidential Information includes, without limitation:

    (1) information about RODP’s former, current, and/or potential future campaigns, including any campaign related research, media, strategies, coordinates/routes travelled, data, methods of collecting data, and/or information collected regarding the activities of various entities (including but not limited to government organizations, non-government organizations, businesses, etc.) and/or individuals;

    (2) financial information of any kind regarding RODP and/or its members, employees, volunteers, clients, donors, supporters, consultants, customers, distributors, vendors, media companies, and/or business associates, including but not limited to costs, surpluses, markets, sales, unpublished financial information, budgets, revenues, projections, contracts, accountings, and other financial records and documents;

    (3) the identity, location, practices, requirements and/or other information of RODP members, employees, volunteers, clients, donors, supporters, consultants, customers, distributors, vendors, media companies, and/or business associates;

    (4) communications of any kind between RODP and any members, employees, volunteers, clients, donors, supporters, consultants, customers, distributors, vendors, media companies, and/or business associates;

    (5) RODP documents, contracts, agreements, correspondence and/or all other similar business records; and/or

    (6) all other information that has or could have commercial or strategic value—or value of any other kind—to the business/mission in which RODP is engaged or contemplates engaging, and all information of which the unauthorized disclosure could be detrimental to the interests of RODP and/or its clients, whether or not such information is identified as Confidential Information by RODP.

    (b) Proprietary Information. Additionally, during my association with RODP, I may become involved in, or learn about matters regarding Proprietary Information (“Proprietary Information”) which may or may not be related to the associates and/or principals of RODP (collectively referred to as “Protected Parties”). Such Proprietary Information includes, but is not limited to ideas, trademarks, service marks, sound marks, inventions, patents, designs, trade secrets, strategic plans, copyrights, copyrightable works, and/or business ideas. I agree that all matters of Propriety Information, whether or not relating to the Protected Parties, are acknowledged to be private, confidential, and/or proprietary. I agree that I will not at any time (whether before, during, or after the term of my association with RODP) disseminate, publish, and/or disclose any Proprietary Information of any kind dealing with or in any way related to the Protected Parties that I learned or gained access to as part of my association with RODP. I further agree not to take or to disseminate to anyone at any time without the prior written consent of RODP:

    (1) any photographs or other likenesses of the Protected Parties;
    (2) materials written by the Protected Parties;
    (3) audio and/or video recordings of the Protected Parties in any form; and/or
    (4) documents, agreements, correspondence, phone numbers, daily logs or calendars, computer software, storage media, computer data, and/or any other material(s) relating to the Protected Parties or their business or professional or personal affairs.

    Obligation

    I will not directly or indirectly use, make available, sell, disclose, and/or otherwise communicate to any third party, other than in my assigned duties and with the express prior written consent of RODP, any of RODP’s Confidential and/or Proprietary Information, either during or after my association with RODP. I agree not to publish, disclose, or otherwise disseminate such information, except where required by law or compelled by legitimate court order. I acknowledge that I am aware that the unauthorized disclosure of Confidential and/or Proprietary Information of RODP may be highly prejudicial to its interests, an invasion of privacy, and/or an improper disclosure of campaign strategies/trade secrets.


    No Publicity

    I shall not at any time use RODP’s name or any RODP trademark(s), trade name(s), or other intellectual property in any printed materials (including but not limited to educational materials, brochures, flyers used for advertising or publicity, etc.) without the prior written consent of RODP. Furthermore, I will not conduct any interviews with the media or any outside party without the express prior written consent of Richard O’Barry, the Media Manager or another authorized Officer of RODP.

    Ownership and Termination

    All Confidential and/or Proprietary Information is and shall remain as between me and RODP, the sole and exclusive property of RODP. Upon request, or when my association with RODP terminates, I will immediately deliver to RODP all documents and property of RODP, including but not limited to files, correspondence, photographs, video recordings, samples, notes, memoranda, reports, manuals, computer programs, cell phones, computers, and all other equipment and/or materials and copies thereof relating in any way to RODP’s business or in any way obtained by me during the course of my association with RODP. I further agree that I will not retain copies, notes or abstracts of any of the above.

    Warranties

    I represent and warrant that (i) I have no obligations, legal or otherwise, inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or with my undertaking a relationship with RODP; (ii) I will not use in the performance of my responsibilities for RODP any confidential materials or documents belonging to a current or former employer; (iii) I have not entered into and will not enter into any agreement (whether oral or written) that is in conflict with this Agreement; (iv) from the time of my first contact with RODP I have held in strict confidence all Confidential and/or Proprietary Information and have not disclosed any such information, either directly or indirectly, to anyone outside RODP, except to the extent otherwise permitted in this Agreement; and (v) this Agreement constitutes a legally binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its terms. In the event that I am unable to comply with any of the above items (i)-(v), I will provide full written disclosure explaining the reasons and/or circumstances behind each instance of noncompliance.

    Entire Agreement

    This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter, and supersedes all prior oral or written agreements, commitments, or understandings whether oral or written.

    Social Media Posting

    I agree not to share on any social media site any details prior to going to Japan unless approved in writing prior to doing so. I further agree that the purpose of my being in Japan is to help RODP document, report, share and educate through RODP’S media outlets, and to follow all guidelines as laid out in the Social Media Policy in the Cove Monitor Agreement.

    General

    This Agreement shall be binding upon me, my heirs, executors, assigns, and/or administrators and is for the benefit of RODP and its successors and/or assigns. This Agreement is governed by and will be construed in accordance with the laws of the United States and the state of Delaware without regard to conflict of law principles. I acknowledge that any breach of this Agreement may cause irreparable injury to RODP and that RODP may seek and obtain injunctive and/or other equitable relief against such breach. I also understand that other action may be taken and remedies may be enforced against me. Should either I or RODP, or any heir, personal representative, successor and/or permitted assign of either party, resort to legal proceedings to enforce this Agreement, I agree that the prevailing party (as defined in Delaware statutory law) in such legal proceeding shall be awarded, in addition to such other relief as may be granted, attorneys’ fees and/or costs incurred in connection with such proceeding.

    I acknowledge that I have had the opportunity to consult legal counsel with regard to this Agreement, that I have read and understand the terms of this Agreement, that I am fully aware of its legal effect, and that I have entered into it freely and voluntarily and based on my own judgment and not on any representation or promises other than those contained in this Agreement. I acknowledge that I have been advised to keep a copy of this Agreement for my own personal records.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Agreement as of the date set forth above.

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