Japan Whale Slaughter 2011 - 2012
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Japan Whale Slaughter 2011 - 2012
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 ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 20252 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20 
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Unbelievably, the Japanese are belligerently setting out to spite the world: Japan back in whale hunt, says newspaper Reports from Japan suggest the government will increase its whaling budget to better protect crew members preparing for this year's Antarctic hunt. ... ... It said the government decided it would be against the national interest to give in to Sea Shepherd's obstruction. It is also being reported that about $US27 million will be injected into the program to improve safety for the whaling crews. Hoka Hey! All Systems Go For Sea Shepherd’s Operation Divine Wind This will be the season that defines the future for the whales of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. Japan’s Asahi News has confirmed that the Japanese whaling fleet will return to the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. It makes little political or economic sense for the Japanese fleet to return to the coast of Antarctica, but their motivation has now shifted from hunting whales to refusing to surrender to Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. ... ... Already some 200 million dollars in debt, the whaling fleet continues to be an economic burden on the Japanese people. “It is an insult to all the anti-whaling nations that so generously contributed to the relief of the tsunami and earthquake victims,†said Captain Paul Watson. “They have accepted foreign aid to help the victims of that tragedy, and are now shifting funds to perpetuate this illegal and obscene massacre of defenseless whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. It now seems they are simply obsessed with killing whales not for need, and not for profit, but because they believe they have the right to do what they wish and kill whatever they wish in an established international whale sanctuary, just for the sake of defending their misplaced “honor.†It’s a disgrace and a smack in the face to everyone who stepped forward to help in their time of need.†Sea Shepherd will return to the remote waters for their 8th Antarctic Whale Defense Campaign with a stronger anti-whaling fleet in early December 2011 to protect the great whales. ... ... Operation Divine Wind will send over 100 volunteers to the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary to defend the whales. ... Sea Shepherd set for 'Kamikaze' campaign ... PETER CAVE: Do you think they are going to try and kill you? I am quoting your website here, are the Japanese people ready to take human lives in defence of this horrifically cruel and illegal slaughter? PAUL WATSON: The only way they can stop us is if they send a gunboat down and fire on us. That is the only way they can stop us and they seem to be committed to doing something like that. It is hard to really say what they are going to do but, you know, they are operating illegally. In addition to killing whales illegally, they'll be entering below 60 using heavy fuel which has been barred since August by the International Maritime Organisation. They just seem to be violating every regulation there is down there. ... And all after last year's stupidity and despite tsunami and national disaster: Japan Whale Slaughter 2010 - 2011 DISGUSTED with the Japanese! Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) ID: 1158513 ·  |
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Orgil Send message Joined: 3 Aug 05 Posts: 979 Credit: 103,527 RAC: 0 
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I'd say more effective fighting alongside with Steve Irwin and Bob Barker is consumers in EU and Americas stop buying Japanese made stuffs. Mandtugai! ID: 1158896 · |
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ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 20252 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20
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I'd say more effective fighting alongside with Steve Irwin and Bob Barker is consumers in EU and Americas stop buying Japanese made stuffs. Myself, I don't beleive in 'boycotts', but sometimes advertising that you are doing that can be useful. Sometimes, the Japanese mindless belligerence beggars belief. This is our only planet, Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) ID: 1162202 · |
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ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 20252 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20
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Two articles about the feeble stance taken by the USA and surrounding politics: United States Weak-Ass Concern Over Renewed Japanese Whaling In a statement released on Thursday the United States has expressed their deep “regrets that Japan has decided to continue its controversial whaling in the Southern Ocean.†[...] This sort of nonaction and pussy-footing around an issue such as this is one of the reasons why individual nutjobs like Paul Watson and his Sea Shepherd Conservation Society are out on the seas trying to protect animals who have as much right to live as anything else, especially given how close to endangered many species of whale are getting. ... ... So yeah … well done United States in taking a soggy stance on such an important issue. It does you proud! Japanese Whalers Arming for Antarctic Battle If Japanese whalers had a sense of humor, their ships headed into the Southern Ocean next month would loudly blare Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.†Why? Because the country’s Fisheries Ministry—rather than back down after Sea Shepherd successfully harassed them into quitting this past whaling season—has announced it will more than double its budget to protect its ships from protesters. ... ... “It now seems they are simply obsessed with killing whales not for need, and not for profit, but because they believe they have the right to do what they wish.†DISGUSTED with the Japanese! Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) ID: 1162204 · |
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ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 20252 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20
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Well... Is this heading for a showdown? Brigitte Bardot tells Japan to stop whaling Former screen siren Brigitte Bardot has joined forces with militant environmentalists to call on Japan to halt its "campaign of death" in the annual Antarctic whale hunt. In a letter to Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, the sixties sex kitten said it was "indecent" for the Japanese government to be spending an additional $27 million on beefed-up security for this year's hunt. "Whales are endangered and each animal killed is a crime against biodiversity," said the French actress, who heads the Brigitte Bardot Foundation. Earlier this month, Tokyo announced that the whaling fleet would be protected in Antarctic waters by a naval escort in a bid to fend off harassment from groups such as Sea Shepherd, which pursues the boats. Bardot said it was perverse to be spending money on sheltering whalers at a time when "the international community has come to the aid of the victims of the tsunami"... Customs ship on possible whaling mission An Australian Customs ship docked in Hobart is believed to be preparing to head to the Southern Ocean for the whaling season. ... ... It is understood the ship will travel to the Southern Ocean later this year to monitor the whaling season. ... DISGUSTED with the Japanese! Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) ID: 1165373 · |
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ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 20252 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20
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Just one example of some real research on whales. No premature slaughter required! Whale fall When a whale dies it falls kilometre after kilometre to the seafloor. But its final resting place becomes home to many strange creatures. Adrian Glover explores the phenomena of whale fall. As a deep-sea biologist often working in the field, I am used to writing risk assessments for my work. 'Risk: catastrophic implosion of titanium pressure sphere causing immediate death. Mitigation: safety procedures of the submersible will be followed at all times.' There are times, however, when you have to reassess on the job. ... Her majesty's coastguard sensibly sits in his warm Land Rover while we stagger about in the gale. The clearly underpaid, desperate-for-a-story reporter shoves a microphone in my face. 'Can you explain to us what you are doing here?' he shouts. ... That also highlights one aspect of the ecological value of the natural cycle of whales. There's a lot of significance with many tons of dead whale in the natural ecology! There's also research reports highlighting how whales, whilst alive and through to their natural death, are valuable for sequestering many tons of carbon... This is our only planet, Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) ID: 1166780 · |
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ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 20252 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20
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And they're on their way... 'Whale war' kicks off as Japan sends strengthened fleet to Antarctica Sea Shepherd sends three ships to intercept the Japanese with Paul Watson promising 'aggressive non-violence' As the Steve Irwin approached the equator last week, word that Japan would be sending a strengthened whaling fleet to Antarctica next month reached the bridge of the old Aberdeen-built customs vessel. ... This is our only planet, Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) ID: 1169053 · |
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ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 20252 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20
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Is this the Japanese authorities and the whalers descending to new lows? Avaaz: Tsunami Relief - Help People Not Whalers Posted: 14 December 2011 Right now, the Japanese whaling fleet is barrelling south to hunt thousands of majestic whales, escorted by a 30 million dollar security force paid for out of the tsunami disaster relief fund! Anti-whaling champions were successfully blocking the Japanese whale hunt -- which is exactly why the Japanese government decided to swipe money from relief efforts to stop the activists from bothering the boats while they engage in their brutal slaughter. If we can stop the whaling security and get the relief money back for desperate Japanese citizens still languishing in radioactive hotspots, we could help end the whale hunt for good. Japanese PM Noda is already under enormous pressure after scandalous failures to compensate victims of the nuclear disaster. A massive global outcry can spark outrage inside and outside Japan and force Noda to use precious relief funds to save people, not kill whales - sign the petition on the right and share this campaign with everyone. Petition: To Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda How much of an outcry do the Japanese need to drag them into the modern world? UTTERLY DISGUSTED! This is our only planet, Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) ID: 1178856 · |
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ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 20252 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20
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Is this the Japanese authorities and the whalers descending to new lows? In a blazing piece of seamanship, it looks like the modern world and Sea Shepherd have caught up with the Japanese whalers already! Sea Shepherd Intercepts the Japanese Whaling Fleet with Drones The Sea Shepherd crew has intercepted the Japanese whaling fleet on Christmas Day, a thousand miles north of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. ... Meanwhile: International Reaction to Japan's Misuse of Earthquake Relief Funds I hope the Japanese do not next resort to childish petulance and old medieval violence in frustration to being dragged into the new modern world and modern appreciation of our world. Can World public opinion turn around the Japanese whalers and their corrupt operation within the next 1000 miles? UTTERLY DISGUSTED with some of the Japanese! This is our only planet, Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) ID: 1180606 · |
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ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 20252 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20
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Can World public opinion turn around the Japanese whalers and their corrupt operation within the next 1000 miles? Well, there's been quite a few spectacles over the course of a fews days and quite a few miles. Hopefully, all highly distracting from the Japanese killing any whales... So, to recap: The Sea Shepherd high speed trimaran gets badly damaged in high seas and has to be shepherded back to port; The Japanese illegally invade Australian waters multiple times; The Japanese "security vessel" is boarded by three Australians to demand the Japanese leave Australia!; The Japanese then kidnap them from Australia!!; Much diplomatic fluster later, the men are eventually returned to Australia and the story continues... Meanwhile, there's been the usual 'skirmishes' between the Sea Shepherd ship Bob Barker and the Japanese harpoon ships, including invading Australia again!... The following links give a typical summary: Escape from Japanese justice still ends in jail One of the protesters who sparked an international incident when they boarded a Japanese whaling ship last week remains in a West Australian prison for unpaid fines. [- for a forestry protest.] Glen Pendlebury, Simon Peterffy and Geoffrey Tuxworth - members of Forest Rescue Australia - risked being shipped to Tokyo and charged with trespassing over the boarding stunt. ... ... Ms Roxon said Japan should also be reminded that its whaling vessels were not welcome in Australian waters. "The Australian government continues to condemn Japan's decision to continue its so-called scientific whaling in the Southern Ocean this summer and reiterates its request for whaling vessels to stay out of Australia's territorial sea and exclusive economic zone," she said. Mr Tuxworth's father, Errol, told AAP he had spoken with his son on the phone and hoped to see him in the coming days. "He's quite well. He said he had been treated well on board the Japanese ship and doesn't seem to have any problems at all," he said. Mr Tuxworth praised the Department of Foreign Affairs for keeping him and his family aware of updates about his son during the ordeal, but he criticised Ms Gillard and Ms Roxon for making it a political issue. "All they could go on about is how much it's going to cost taxpayers," he said. Whale protester held over unpaid fine ... The trio arrived to cries of support from a small band of supporters, who sounded car horns as the tender boats arrived. ... ... The trio had boarded the Shonan Maru 2, aided by anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd, scaling razor wire and spikes. Japan agreed on Tuesday to transfer the men to authorities following requests from the Australia government to release them. Australian Protesters Safely Transferred to ACV Ocean Protector ... Captain Paul Watson: I’m sure they will reflect upon the huge success this was for the movement to defend the whales of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. This action focused international attention on Japan’s continued illegal whaling activities in the Southern Ocean. It also illustrated the lack of action by the Australian government to uphold its pre-election campaign promises to get tough on whaling. The action illustrated the contradiction of allowing a whaling vessel into Australian waters in violation of the 2008 Australian Federal Court ruling prohibiting Japanese whaling vessels from entering Australian territorial waters. In addition, the action deeply embarrassed the Japanese security team by having three unarmed Australian citizens board the designated security vessel for the whaling fleet. There are a great many positive results from this boarding that these men can indeed reflect upon and be proud of. ... ... [THE HON NICOLA ROXON MP:] “The Australian Government thanks Japan for its cooperation in the return of the Australian citizens. Captain Paul Watson: Australia should not be thanking Japan for illegally entering into Australian waters and removing Australian citizens from Australian waters. I’m sure this is of course a diplomatic necessity. [THE HON NICOLA ROXON MP:] “The Australian Government continues to condemn Japan's decision to continue its so-called ‘scientific’ whaling in the Southern Ocean this summer and reiterates its request for whaling vessels to stay out of Australia’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. Captain Paul Watson: It does not appear that they are listening. Japanese whalers behave like they can go anywhere whenever they choose. Two days after this incident, the Yushin Maru No. 3 pursued the Bob Barker 4 miles off the coast of MacQuarie Island. ... This article gives a good summary of recent events and highlights a very bold and unusual (for Japanese press) article against the continuingly expensive fiasco: Japanese media agrees whaling no longer 'central to daily life' Tokyo - A refreshing editorial from one Japanese media entity says the argument for whale meat consumption, based upon tradition in Japan, is "hardly compelling." The Jan. 15 report, "Wars Over Whaling," published in today's Japan Times chastises both parties in the issue and argue they are getting out of hand. Holding both the Japanese government and anti-whalers accountable for an escalating situation, the editorial says that "inevitable lurid reports and tangled accusations" have forced actions to reach "absurd proportions." ... I'm sure there are more manoeuvrings to come yet... UTTERLY DISGUSTED with some of the outlandishly brazen Japanese! This is our only planet, Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) ID: 1185741 · |
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ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 20252 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20
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The epilogue for the Japanese kidnapping from Australian waters: Sea Shepherd: Home from the Sea. Home to the Trees At 12:00 AWST, Geoffrey Owen Tuxworth (47) of Perth, Simon Peterffy (44) of Bunbury and Glen Pendlebury (27) of Fremantle arrived back into Albany, Western Australia onboard the Ocean Protector customs vessel after boarding the Shonan Maru No. 2 in a bid to raise awareness and free up the Steve Irwin in its hunt to track down the Japanese whaling factory ship, the Nisshin Maru. Simon Peterffy was not free to join the other two men. Upon arrival he was immediately taken to prison for outstanding fines due to his Forest Action campaigning to save the last of Western Australia's native forest. ... Sea Shepherd and Forest Rescue devised a plan to come to the rescue of Simon so this eco-warrior could be freed. ... ... In contrast Prime Minister Gillard stated that the whale defenders should be made to repay the Australian government for the expense of their recovery even though Sea Shepherd offered a no cost alternative plan for their recovery. Forest Rescue's Simon, Glen and Geoffrey are very humbled by all the support they have received, especially the lengths Sea Shepherd, Forest Rescue, the Greens, via Senator Bob Brown, and all their supporters went to get them rescued. They are very happy to hear that their action has made a significant difference in the defence of the great whales for Operation Divine Wind. Committed to the environmental cause Simon Peterffy is a man prepared to put his body on the line. As an eco-activist, he's had to do that more than once. ... ... The decision to board the Shonan Maru was "spontaneous" says Simon, who is a member of Forest Rescue. "When we found out the Japanese whaling (ship) was just off our Australian coast, in fact in eyesight of Australian cities, I was fairly shocked." "I thought, 'This message needs to get out to the Australian public.' Japanese whaling close to home would not be acceptable to the Australian public, Simon believed. The trio boarded the vessel with little difficulty. What happened next was "a little bit shocking", Simon remembers. "Someone from the top of the boat threw down a 15 to 20kg block of ice which narrowly missed us." "Shortly afterwards, the Japanese whalers settled down and there afterwards treated us with a great deal of courtesy... UTTERLY DISGUSTED with some of the outlandishly brazen Japanese! This is our only planet, Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) ID: 1185944 · |
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ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 20252 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20
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The Japanese brazenness continues and all with ever lessening pretence: Sea Shepherd Chases the Japanese Whalers into Yesterday ... From being intercepted 500 miles west of Fremantle, Australia, the Japanese fleet has run over 4,500 nautical miles for the last 30 days, all the way into the Ross Sea, far to the East of Australia. This is an average of 150 miles a day, leaving very little time to kill whales with only one harpoon vessel. The other two harpoon vessels have either been tailing or searching for the Sea Shepherd ships. “You can say we chased the whale killers into yesterday since we have crossed the International Date Line,†said Captain Paul Watson, of the Sea Shepherd ship Steve Irwin. “This illustrates that they really have no scientific agenda at all since their so-called survey requires them to “sample†whales from the two different areas alternatively each year. This is not about science and it never has been. It’s not even about profit anymore because we have negated their profits. It’s simply about pride. Whaling in the Southern Ocean has become a heavily subsidized welfare project for an archaic industry that has no place in the twenty-first century.†... ... The Yushin Maru No. 2 is tailing the Steve Irwin and the Yushin Maru No. 3 is tailing the Bob Barker. This has left only the Yushin Maru to hunt for whales. ... UTTERLY DISGUSTED with some of the outlandishly brazen Japanese! This is our only planet, Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) ID: 1187836 · |
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ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 20252 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20
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Looks like a another rerun of brazenly walking all over Australia over sovereignty. Third time round, will the Australian government pass muster? How's that old saying go? Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Is there a saying for fool me thrice?! Sea Shepherd ship seeks sanctuary from whalers A NEW test for the federal government is looming in the Australian sub-Antarctic, where a Sea Shepherd ship is set to seek sanctuary from pursuit by Japanese whalers. The anti-whaling group's long-range vessel Bob Barker is again headed for the territorial waters of Tasmania's Macquarie Island, tailed by the harpoon ship Yushin Maru No. 3. The two vessels circled the island inside the 12-nautical-mile limit of Macquarie's territorial waters earlier this month... ... Among pack ice, Mr Watson ordered a ''Crazy Ivan'', a manoeuvre borrowed from Soviet-era submarine warfare, in which a tailed vessel turns 180 degrees on its pursuer. ''They turned and ran like spooked rabbits,'' Mr Watson said. ''It was hilarious.'' He also released more details gained by the three Western Australian men who boarded the Shonan Maru No. 2 recently, who said the armoury on the Japanese ship included semi-automatic weapons, sidearms and rifles. ... So... Armed Japanese ships patrolling Australian territorial waters? Also, armed Japanese ships inside (a weapons free) Antarctic and patrolling Australia's EEZ?... Is Japan sailing towards one shot across the bows too many? UTTERLY DISGUSTED with some of the outlandishly brazen Japanese! This is our only planet, Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) ID: 1188107 · |
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ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 20252 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20
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All is strangely quiet for the moment. All in bated breath for the latest show trial taking place in Japan?... Meanwhile: Whale Wars: Are the Whales Winning? The phrase “whale wars†usually evokes images of doom and gloom for the whales: Japan hunting whales in the Southern Ocean – in a designated whale sanctuary, no less – with Sea Shepherd activists waving their pseudo-pirate flag in hot pursuit. Iceland gearing up for another season of killing endangered fin whales, despite the diplomatic sanctions imposed by the United States last September. Or Norway quietly–but lethally–hunting minke whales. But there is hope. Last week, Norway's Directorate of Fisheries revealed that the number of Norwegian whaling vessels has shrunk from 33 in 2001 to just 19 last year. ... Japan is also having trouble filling its self-allocated quota of whales it kills under the guise of “scientific research.†Last year, Japan caught less than a quarter of its quota in the Southern Ocean due to interference from the Sea Shepherd. This year, Japan beefed up security around its whaling fleet – using $29 million from tsunami relief funds – despite the fact that support for whaling at home is at an all time low. Last week, the Japan Times published a compelling editorial – Wars Over Whaling – which concluded that the “whaling subsidy provides little benefit ... Although the war on whaling is far from over, this shift in consciousness in Norway and Japan represents a small—but hopefully momentum-building—win for the whales. Still UTTERLY DISGUSTED with some of the outlandishly brazen Japanese! This is our only planet, Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) ID: 1188707 · |
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ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 20252 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20
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The picture in this article gives a very stark reminder of the high speed maneuverability of the harpoon ships in the Japanese fleet: Sea Shepherd Crewmember knocked into frigid Antarctic waters by Japanese Water Cannon ... In an effort to slow down the tailing harpoon vessel, the Steve Irwin deployed three inflatable boats and a jet ski in an attempt to force the Yushin Maru No. 2 to fall behind to allow the Steve Irwin to escape. Beck was knocked off his jet ski into subzero Antarctic waters when he was struck in the chest by one of the water cannons on the harpoon vessel. The Yushin Maru No. 2 did not stop to offer assistance. ... Note the very sharp S-turn wake behind the harpoon boat. Those boats must have a fin keel just like a racing yacht. My view is that gives no doubt whatsoever as to who had the full control, the high speed, and malevolent intent in slicing the Ady Gil boat into two halves... Bethune may well have been recklessly asleep on the job and all whilst in danger, however it is still the Japanese Captain who was in control of the situation and clearly committed attempted murder. And very nearly did murder... Still UTTERLY DISGUSTED with some of the outlandishly brazen Japanese! This is our only planet, Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) ID: 1194323 · |
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ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 20252 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20
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Here's a very small acknowledgement in the Japanese press of one of the recent 'skirmishes': Sea Shepherd hampers whalers' voyage by entangling rope in propeller TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Activists of antiwhaling group Sea Shepherd Conservation Society on Sunday obstructed Japan's so-called research whaling in the Antarctic Ocean, hurling a rope at a whaling ship and twisting it around the ship's propeller, the Japanese Fisheries Agency said. ... A very interesting change there is the translation of "so-called research whaling"... Rather a bold description by the press there... Meanwhile, it looks like a surfing journal created some unexpectedly big waves: Surfing Life: Sea Shepherd Responds To say that Friday was tough would be an understatement. ... A piece on whaling I’d approved had set the net alight, and people were baying for blood. ... I emailed Paul Watson and offered him full right of reply. His gracious retort is below, and I thank him for that. In response to many of the comments, no, this story was not paid for by the ICR, nor any other Japanese right wing group. Surfing Life is definitely NOT pro-whaling, nor do we think that Sea Shepherd is a racist organization. I understand... Indeed passionate stuff, and very rightly so... UTTERLY DISGUSTED with some of the outlandishly brazen Japanese! This is our only planet, Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) ID: 1195048 · |
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ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 20252 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20
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The twists and turns in this continue... In an outlandish move and a legal first, the Japanese whaling companies attempted a legal attack in the USA, and gave rise to some surprising proceedings... Whaler's Bid to Block Sea Shepherd Rejected by U.S. Court SEATTLE, Washington, February 21, 2012 (ENS) - A federal court in Seattle has denied a preliminary injunction in the case of The Institute for Cetacean Research vs. Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. The motion for an injunction was an attempt by the Japanese whaling organization to immediately halt Sea Shepherd's anti-whaling activities in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. Judge Richard A. Jones made it clear that in addition to looking at Sea Shepherd's activities in the Southern Ocean, the issue of whaling and its legality would be at the heart of this case. ... ... The court expressed displeasure with the Japanese whalers for filing an injunction against Sea Shepherd while appearing to be themselves in violation of an injunction issued by the Australian Federal Court. The Australian injunction prohibits the Japanese from hunting whales in the Australian Whale Sanctuary, where the whalers do often hunt. ... The plaintiff's answer to this was that because the ships move they cannot confirm whether the whaling fleet is in Australian waters and therefore in violation of this injunction. As Sea Shepherd crews can attest, the Japanese whaling fleet has been in direct violation of this court ordered injunction issued in 2008 and have certainly killed whales within the Australian Marine Sanctuary. ... ... "The plaintiffs insist that I am not supposed to consider the legality or illegality of the whaling activities," said the judge. "In my assessment, I believe it would be inappropriate for me to consider the balance of hardships or the public interest without considering the environmental consequences in this case." "Now, it is clear to me that a substantial portion of the world believes it is very much not in the public interest to continue killing whales in the Southern Ocean. It is also clear to me that the environmental harms, like the killing of hundreds of whales, are relevant in the balance of hardships. So please understand in this context I must consider this aspect of the facts," said Judge Jones. ... That little news snippet really doesn't give justice to the day's proceedings in court. The transcript makes for hilarious reading, all the more so for the completely professional stance taken by the judge despite the various claims by the Japanese whalers. What is clear is that there must be a huge amount of pressure upon the whalers. The best the plaintiffs (the whalers) could offer was a very protracted and a very personal approach of how one of their seamen had a close call with a bottle of rotten butter. The bottle missed him. Meanwhile, the evidence presented by Sea Shepherd plainly showed the whalers to be the pariahs of the world, subject to injunctions and threat of arrest should they venture near any ports of the southern continents. Strangely, they don't venture into French waters (are the French exocet missiles that good?...). See the link to the transcript in the Sea Shepherd article. If you can survive the first few pages of the Judge giving context, the following proceedings make for a fun lunchtime read. Could make good TV for a re-enactment!... ;-) Further details on: ICR’s injunction is denied in U.S. District Court ... Here’s a sample of how the hearing went: Judge Jones: “Now, typically in the application of a preliminary injunction that is a straightforward task. But it is complicated here because, it seems plain to me, if I grant the injunction that plaintiffs are requesting, then the plaintiffs will, without a doubt, continue to engage in their activity of killing whales.†MR. NEUPERT (attorney for plaintiff): "[What Sea Shepherd does] is akin to what the Somali pirates do in their waters." THE COURT: "Counsel, don't you see a remarkable difference between someone approaching you with an AK 47 and someone throwing beer bottles with butyric acid?" MR. NEUPERT: "I grant the court that there is a difference." Read the whole transcript of the hearing and check back for updates! ... Quite an amazing read... Meanwhile... Elsewhere around the world: Amazon Stops Selling Whale Meat After Public Outrage ... According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Amazon has now stopped selling the products due to public response. The EIA stated that the website has “a stated policy of prohibiting the sale of unlicensed or illegal wildlife products including endangered species,†but 147 illegal items were found for sale. Now, the whale products have been removed, and Amazon spokeswoman Mary Osaka would say only that “The items you referenced are not available for sale,†when asked by Sydney Morning Herald. ... ... Will you continue to shop on Amazon.com?†Animal and environmentalist groups have asked Amazon to ban the sale of all cetacean products on their websites. UTTERLY DISGUSTED with some of the outlandishly brazen Japanese! This is our only planet, Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) ID: 1199085 · |
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ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 20252 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20
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So who are the real pirates?... Whalers flout demand JAPAN'S whalers are said to have made a fresh incursion into Australian waters, in defiance of a federal government demand that they steer clear. ... ... Sea Shepherd leader Paul Watson said a helicopter flight from his ship, the Steve Irwin, revealed harpoon ship Yushin Maru No. 3 was 11.2 nautical miles off the eastern shore of Macquarie, and the security ship Shonan Maru No. 2 was 14 nautical miles off the western side. "I don't think they take the Australian government too seriously," Mr Watson said. Sea Shepherd are now on their way to test the whalers defiance through New Zealand waters... UTTERLY DISGUSTED with some of the outlandishly brazen Japanese! Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) ID: 1200788 · |
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ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 20252 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20
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So who are the real pirates?... Exposed by beautiful subterfuge... Whalers flout demand Sea Shepherd Ploy Leaves Two Frustrated Japanese Whaling Captains Looking Silly at Sea Since February 22nd, The Sea Shepherd ship, Steve Irwin, has led a Japanese harpoon vessel and the Japanese whaling fleet security vessel on a merry wild goose chase away from the Japanese whaling fleet. With the Sea Shepherd ship, Bob Barker, fully refueled and heading back to the Southern Ocean to hunt down the Japanese whaling fleet, the Sea Shepherd ship, Steve Irwin, headed north for Macquarie Island under the ruse of a fuel transfer with the Bob Barker. ... “The Japanese ships fell for the bait, following hard on our heels first to Macquarie Island and then onto Auckland Island. They have wasted tons of fuel and weeks of time to accomplish nothing more than to escort the Steve Irwin back north. Now they have no one to follow anymore and the Bob Barker is free to continue the chase,†said Captain Watson. ... UTTERLY DISGUSTED with some of the outlandishly brazen Japanese! Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) ID: 1201222 · |
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ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 20252 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20
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Free of the harpoon ships, Sea Shepherd saved the Whale Sanctuary: The Whalers Head Home! The Japanese whaling fleet has left the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary and they are heading home. “Once Captain Peter Hammerstedt and his crew on the Bob Barker closed in on the Nisshin Maru on March 5th, the whaling season was effectively over for the season,†said Captain Paul Watson on the Sea Shepherd flagship Steve Irwin recently returned and now berthed in Williamstown, Victoria, Australia. Since March 1st, the Bob Barker has followed the Nisshin Maru as they headed steadily northwestward. The Japanese harpoon vessels have stopped tailing the Bob Barker. The fleet has left the waters of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, according to Captain Peter Hammarstedt. The Japanese government security vessel, Shonan Maru #2, has been spotted by fishing vessels at thirty degrees South, which is due east of Brisbane, Australia indicating that the vessel is well on its way back to Japan. ... “If the Japanese whalers return, Sea Shepherd will return. We are committed to the defense of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.†Said Captain Paul Watson. “No matter how long it takes, no matter how risky or expensive. The word “sanctuary†actually means something to us and that something is worth fighting for.†... And the promised return is to be with yet another ship added to the Sea Shepherd fleet so as to equal the number of Japanese harpoon boats! Meanwhile, a few weeks later and: Greenpeace Finally Finds the Japanese Whaling Fleet: in port, in Japan, weeks after they quit whaling! Captain Watson can be a real pain in the ass sometimes, but his commentary about his rivalry with Greenpeace is a gem of dry humor. ... Greenpeace Renews its Calls on Japan to Stop Continued Support of Whaling Tokyo-(PanOrient News) Greenpeace renewed its campaign against Japan’s Antarctic whaling after the Japanese fleet returned to port this morning, calling on the Japanese government to end subsidies of all whaling in the Southern Ocean whale sanctuary. The Japanese Fisheries Agency today said Nisshin Maru and three other vessels caught 267 whales in total, far below their target, due to bad weather and interference from the Sea Shepherd ... Japan's Whaling in Antarctica ... It's as if whaling was never really banned merely disguised in the form of research. A year after the ban came into effect, Japan submitted a 'whale research' proposal to the IWC claiming to require whale species for scientific purposes at a rate of 825 minke whales and 50 sperm whales annually, the IWC rejected the proposal as suspect. Current 'research kills' stand at over 1200 whales per year. If this was truly whale research, there would be no reason to kill whales, legitimate cetacean research institutions tag and monitor whales... That last article there shows a very revealing chart of the number of whale kills for the last few years. Sea Shepherd have very definitely made a significant difference. Here's hoping Sea Shepherd's FOURTH ship of the fleet is not going to be needed against the Japanese whalers... Congratulations to the successes by Sea Shepherd for at least doing something! UTTERLY DISGUSTED with some of the outlandishly brazen Japanese! Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) ID: 1214400 · |
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