To everyone who has helped us return home...

To everyone who has helped us return home,

We've received word from Delta Airlines that they'll be compensating us for our emergency flights back to the US, and since then we've been debating what we should do with the remainder of the donations that were sent to our Paypal account. Our minds and our hearts are with the people in Japan who have lost their livelihoods and their loved ones, so we've decided that the majority of our donations would be given to the Otsuchi Relief fund (http://otsuchi.org/) to aid them in their relief efforts. This fund was set up by their sister city of Fort Bragg, CA, and considering that Otsuchi is by far the most devastated area of Japan we feel that our money will have the greatest impact there. The rest of the funds will be recycled back into future Sea Shepherd dolphin protection campaigns and also to reimburse a few groups and organizations that helped us with other expenses during our emergency evacuation.

The support from the animal rights and environmentalist community has been absolutely amazing, and we want everyone to know how truly thankful and grateful we are for all the donations and support we've received during our ordeal. It's incredibly moving to see the amount of effort that was put into our return, and all the kind words and warm welcomes we received when returning home has helped ease some of the pain and anxiety we had experienced over the last week. We are truly lucky to be alive.

As of now more than half of the city of Otsuchi is dead or missing. If you have the means, please consider donating to their relief efforts and to Japan Animal Rescue.

We oppose all industries that profit off of animal abuse and exploitation. We support the efforts of the Japanese people to rebuild and return to economic stability, but we do not support the actions of the small group of individuals who profit off of murder and exploitation. We do not share the beliefs of the porpoise fisherman, but we will stand in solidarity with the effected people of Japan and do what we can to help them rebuild their communities and their lives.

With respect for the oceans, wildlife and the people of Japan,
Mike, Carisa and Marley