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JAPAN PUSHES TO 'LEGALISE' WHALING!
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ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 21094 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20 |
In Japan now: TOKYO - Life-size whale pics will leave viewers in awe ... And of course, with Japan continuing its controversial annual research whaling in the Southern Ocean, there are many who would feel it is high time for the average Japanese to stand face-to-face with whales — while they are still alive, that is. Nevertheless, this exhibition steers politely clear of any overt political posturing or didacticism. Including interactive computer-generated animations by well-known marine-life illustrator Haruyoshi Kawai and video footage from whale-watching sites in Japan, the show simply aims to present in a little more detail — OK, a lot more detail, given all those pixels —— the lives of whales. It's 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) |
ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 21094 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20 |
Taiji dolphin slaughter: Conservationist to visit Japan From December 23 to January 7, Mr Romanowski will join 51 supporters dubbed The Cove Guardians, who will report on the movements of Japanese hunters who brutally slaughter up to 20,000 dolphins and small whales each season. The group will film, photograph, blog and upload the events daily. Mr Romanowski said he decided to go on the mission to make a difference for the magnificent creatures. ... “Japan is a great country with many cultures and attractions, but I’m more angry with the Japanese Government who are covering up the whole issue. “There are people in Japan and the US who don’t even know this goes on.†... It's ALL our world, Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) |
ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 21094 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20 |
By hook, crook, bribery, and other means of 'coercion', there's a very dubious and disgusting proposal being pushed to 'legalise' whaling. Well, looks like Greenpeace is very slowly pushing at the fringes of the Japanese corruption: Japan slams officials over whale meat gifts TOKYO — The Japanese fisheries agency has warned officials not to accept whale meat as gifts from whalers, amid embezzlement allegations involving tax-funded whaling programmes, reports said Wednesday. The five officials were reprimanded for accepting... I guess to move a mountain, you can just start with a few small pebbles... At least that is a start... Meanwhile, Iceland is stirring unwelcome attention also: Conservation groups call for trade sanctions against Iceland in response to escalating whaling activities

 NINETEEN conservation and animal welfare groups, representing tens of millions of U.S. citizens, today called on the US Secretaries of Commerce and Interior to impose trade sanctions against Iceland for its escalating defiance of international conservation agreements on commercial whaling. Pressure grows on Iceland PREPARATORY work on banning landings of Icelandic mackerel at EU ports has begun, according to EU fisheries commissioner Maria Damanaki. ... The move follows Iceland’s unilateral declaration of a 147,000 tonne mackerel quota for 2011, that has caused anger amongst EU and Norwegian fishermen. ... Meanwhile another group is demanding trade sanctions against Iceland for its fishing activities. A total of 19 US conservation and animal welfare groups have called on the US government to impose trade sanctions against Iceland over its commercial whaling. ... Iceland has defied an international ban on commercial whaling and trade in whale products after resuming commercial whaling in 2006 ... It's 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) |
ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 21094 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20 |
One example over in Florida, USA: Let Lolita live ... Once plentiful in numbers, this family, as well as accompanying J and K pods, now number less then 90 left in the wild after being hunted throughout the 1960s and early 1970s for the marine park and entertainment industry. This poaching has left them with the status of "Endangered" . Mainly young female whales were selected and torn from family units that they would have remained with throughout their entire lives. This practice critically damaged the breeding population of these whales which would later suffer from PCB pollution and the over fishing of Chinook Salmon until just days ago when courts ruled to enforce and expand on laws protecting habitat critical to Lolita's wild family. Lolita is a critical member of this family. ... ... What they found was appalling. Lolita has been suffering in an ancient tank since 1970. She's been alone with no form of compatible companionship since 1980 when the park transferred Hugo out of the main tank due to the whales refusing to perform. Hugo died shortly after... suicide. ... ... Their message is simple: Lolita was torn from a mother that she would have spent her entire life with and forced to perform tricks in a dilapidated tank. Alone. ... I think this comment sums up the sad stupidity: What amazes me about this situation (like that of so many other whales and dolphins kept in captivity) is the massive lack of empathy that so many people have for these creatures. Facilities like this wouldn't be able to keep these orcas captive if it wasn't such a well paying business! And it's disgusting that people would keep Lolita in such horrible and lonely conditions just for a buck It's our only one planet, Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) |
ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 21094 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20 |
The story of cruelty at Taiji continues: Free Misty for Me Captain Paul Watson Offers $5,000 for the Release of Captive Dolphin Report from Taiji: January 2 Rumor has it that the Taiji fishermen will resume their hunting as of tomorrow, sending the 13-day slaughter-free streak to an end. I’m sure that watching dolphins get slaughtered again after all these blood-free days, will be just like experiencing it for the first time all over again. Seeing the loss of life is something that you never get used to. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Save Japan Dolphins are currently the only two organizations on the ground in Taiji, and we have been working together to try to change Misty’s situation. The world is now aware of Misty due to the footage that the Cove Guardians obtained last week. ... During my interview, this staff member brushed off my concerns about Misty being held in a small, dirty tank, and he repeatedly told me not worry about Misty. He said that he was checking on Misty every day, which I believe to be true, but obviously our standards of humane treatment differ from theirs. ... It's all our world, Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) |
ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 21094 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20 |
Meanwhile, over on the other side of the planet: Environment Minister Tony Burke rules out deals on Japan whaling WHALING is "wrong and should stop", Environment Minister Tony Burke said today, arguing there is no room for compromise with Japan on the practice. Wikileaks Reveals Sea Shepherd is a Serious Concern to Japan’s Illegal Whaling Operations Wikileaks has revealed that the Japanese government views Sea Shepherd Conservation Society as a very serious threat to their illegal whaling activities. In a classified U.S. Department of State document released by Wikileaks to the El Pais newspaper in Spain, the Japanese Deputy General Director for the Japanese Fisheries Agency Mr. Yamashita, pointed out that “the harassment of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society had kept the Japanese whaling fleet from reaching its quotas these last few years.†There it is! For all the critics... It's 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) |
ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 21094 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20 |
An interesting aside: South Korea tightens rules to combat illegal whaling South Korea says it is tightening rules to combat illegal whaling. Although commercial whale hunting is banned in the country, the trading of whales that are found dead is still legal. The new rules will require fisherman to report to police immediately if they discover dead whales in their nets or washed ashore. The move comes after critics said some fishermen were exploiting a loophole in the law. ... It's 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) |
ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 21094 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20 |
Is this really the case despite much bellicose blind belligerence on the part of the Japanese? Death throes: tide may be turning against Japan's harassed whalers A BIG, black speedboat again skirmished with a Japanese harpoon ship in the Antarctic this week, a year after the speedboat's predecessor, the Ady Gil, was hit in the worst incident yet in the long fight over whales. ... ... In the tumultuous past 12 months, the whalers have shared the blame for the Ady Gil collision, and apologised for a whale-meat black market. In Japan, consumer appetite may be declining as sentiment shifts to live whales. And in the way that tax laws finally caught US gangster Al Capone, marine regulations threaten the world's last factory whaling ship, the Nisshin Maru. There is no sign of a revival of the collapsed International Whaling Commission (IWC) plan to offer Japan a controlled phase-out of its Antarctic kill. Instead there is another protest season... So... Is the Japanese Nisshin "Death Star" Maru of the Antarctic Whale Sanctuary going to be sunk finally by it's dirty engines burning the wrong type of bunker fuel?... Disgusted with the Japanese whaling! Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) |
Orgil Send message Joined: 3 Aug 05 Posts: 979 Credit: 103,527 RAC: 0 |
So the best approach is Britain and USA should send 1 nuclear submarine each and sink japanese whaling fleet that look like an accident. Well any military has full doctrine/courses of their own training to sabotage things masterfully. And it is also shocking fact that all that water area only close to Australia and only Australians supporting the Sea Shepherd operation (at least most sources provided by aussies). But many other nations with ocean access have some kind of Whale protection or study organisations and because of political and possibly economic fear of japan they are not doing anything against this whale hunting fleet. Mandtugai! |
ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 21094 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20 |
The story of cruelty at Taiji continues: The various examples of callous cruelty continue at Taiji. It looks like the senseless slaughter is merely a cheap aside to the real business that is the capture and transport of live dolphins to then die an early death in a dolphin show. Just one example of their transport: Report from Taiji: February 1 While eight Risso’s dolphins lost their lives in the Cove today, three Pacific White-sided Dolphins finally made their way to a new aquarium in the Oita Prefecture. These dolphins, now referred to worldwide as ‘The Taiji Three’ (the Cove Guardians named them Steve, Bob, and Godzilla after the Sea Shepherd vessels), experienced a harrowing journey that was beyond their control. After being loaded into small wooden coffins and packed with ice, these dolphins spent over 30 hours in the back of a truck. A sudden blizzard caused the transport truck to wreck and become stuck in the snow on the side of the road, where it remained for an estimated eight hours. Cove Guardians Andy and Nicole were present on the scene to document and share the trauma that befell these creatures, resulting in coverage on CNN’s iReport. ... It's all our world, Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) |
Gary Charpentier Send message Joined: 25 Dec 00 Posts: 30970 Credit: 53,134,872 RAC: 32 |
So... Is the Japanese Nisshin "Death Star" Maru of the Antarctic Whale Sanctuary going to be sunk finally by it's dirty engines burning the wrong type of bunker fuel?... Hey that sounds like a face saving solution. Remember the culture there is all about face. |
ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 21094 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20 |
So... Is the Japanese Nisshin "Death Star" Maru of the Antarctic Whale Sanctuary going to be sunk finally by it's dirty engines burning the wrong type of bunker fuel?... I hope that is an 'easy' or 'diplomatic' way out for them to stop whaling sooner rather than procrastinate to some time yet later. Meanwhile, the painful silliness of whaling drags on: Japanese whaling will come to an end - the question is simply when ... that the corruption stretched from the factory ship floor right up into the government agencies overseeing the whaling programme. Straight from the horse’s mouth, and on national television no less. The bow in the video may look like posturing, but I can assure you that this was very unusual for Japan – particularly considering this was about whaling! An FAJ official apologising for something whaling-related would have been unthinkable only a few months ago, yet here we are. ... ... The Tokyo Two trial, the FAJ apologies and demotions, and a surge in media coverage questioning the corrupt whaling programme have all impacted Japanese public opinion (especially considering the utter lack of interest in eating whale meat). People are beginning to see that whaling serves no purpose and does not benefit Japan. ... ... With all of these different threads of change coming together, I am confident that what we are seeing is the last chapter of Japan’s whaling program. If our appeal is successful and Toru's and my conviction is overturned by the High Court on May 24, then we will undoubtedly be even closer to closing the book. Thank you for your continuing support! -- Junichi Positively, that is looking like after a very long haul, the "Tokyo Two" may well succeed in the Japanese courts where Sea Shepherd didn't fair so well. I wish them good luck and hope that, second time around, Japan can show that the Japanese Justice system can be fair and impartial despite what looks like to be widespread and deep official corruption (Yakuza inspired?). I hope that the combined media campaigns of both Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd can awaken the Japanese people to positive action. I'm certainly completely disgusted with the whalers and the blatant Japanese corruption. Some of that concern definitely poisons relations with Japan: Former Mayor of Port Lincoln slams relationship with Muruto, Japan ... The city's former mayor, Peter Davis, has attacked the proposal for the relationship with the city of Muroto - saying illegal Japanese fishing has severely damaged tuna stocks. He says a sister city relationship would send the wrong message. "I think it is about time that the Port Lincoln community understands the damage that the nation of Japan - not Muroto, I bear Muroto no ill will whatsover," he says. ... Will Japan change to see that the world is watching at least some of Japan's selfish corruption and cruelty? It's 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) |
ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 21094 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20 |
The dolphin slaughter at Taiji, Japan continues. Meanwhile, at least one example of the Japanese press appears to be using the spectacle for playing a painful cynical agenda... The Japanese Propaganda Machine Strikes Again in Taiji ... to claim that this annual massacre of sentient beings by the thousands is culture and tradition is absolutely ludicrous. When the act being performed is younger than those carrying it out, it is not culture and it is not history. ... ... A new segment published by TV Asahi 5 that aired on February 5th, was a prime example of the propaganda that is ruthlessly fed to the general public of Japan. The words spoken by the Cove Guardians were twisted against them to favor the slaughter, and the footage was edited in such a fashion that the Cove Guardian quotes were taken out of context. The reporter, a woman from Osaka named Yajima, came to the Cove after hearing about the slaughter because she wanted to taste dolphin meat. She was pro-hunting from the beginning ... ... With the knowledge of this propaganda circulating throughout Japan, I wonder what the best solution is or even if there is a solution. ... That example, and the video example of what was not shown on the Japanese news, shows Japan in a very bad and deceitful light... Add that with the Japanese Yakuza and widespread corruption there... It's 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) |
ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 21094 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20 |
An interesting move: The Cove director sends dolphin slaughter DVDs to whole fishing town Louie Psihoyos wants people of Taiji in Japan to see his Oscar-winning movie about annual hunt by 'handful of thugs' ... Psihoyos, who paid for the DVD shipment himself, said the film was not intended as a criticism of Taiji residents. "I hope the people of Taiji feel a sense of relief when they see The Cove, because they'll realise that it is just a handful of local environmental thugs giving a whole nation a black eye, not them," Psihoyos said. "To me the film is a love letter to the people of Taiji." Hopefully a useful idea. It should prove to be a very good test of the determination of the very few callously brutal profiteering 'fisherman' to dishonour the name of Japan. Their brutal dolphin slaughter is very recent and has nothing to do with any 'tradition' or 'culture'. It's 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) |
ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 21094 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20 |
There's been quite a few developments that have put Japan onto the world daily news... First, pre-tsunami: Japan Times: Activists may shift tactics in Taiji Many foreigners protest, but too few Japanese Report from Taiji: March 6 By all appearances, the dolphin molesters in Taiji have indeed ceased their hunting and killing for the season. Of course, they continue to hold dolphins captive in the harbor pens. ... There was an interesting development in Taiji this week. Every household in the town received in the mail a Japanese language copy of the movie, the Cove. We are told that this made the molesters very angry and also spooked a number of residents. Many threw their copies away, but others have watched. ... ... This year has been a double victory for cetaceans over Japan. Yes, many whales and dolphins have been killed, but the illegal whaling fleet was sent home early from the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary and the dolphins near the town of Taiji did not suffer as much loss as in years past. This problem will not end overnight. We must stay on them and offer no compromise until the government sees its way clear to have Japan enter the world of modern, progressive, and thoughtful nations. As it is now, the barbarism shown against cetaceans and the whole marine ecosystem is something that should shame every citizen of Japan. Perhaps one day though, Japan will take its place as a leader of marine conservation. ... And then... Cove Guardians Witness Disaster in Otsuchi, Japan The day started out as normal as can be when you are working on exposing and stopping the largest cetacean slaughter on the planet. ... ... We have felt several earthquakes and tremors since we have been here. I lived in the San Francisco Bay area for a number of years. This was like nothing I have ever experienced. The vehicles were hopping around and it was difficult to stand. I suggested we leave and no one needed coaxing. There are (were) a number of fish processing plants out on this jetty. The employees were streaming out of them and headed for the tsunami wall. ... ... It was not long before the water drained from the harbor and then refilled. We learned from the firemen to expect to see several cycles of this draining and refilling. The water then rapidly refilled the harbor and rose right up to inundate all of the areas on the water side of the wall. It happened very quickly. It drained again, this time almost down to the mud. Then the returning water pushed past and over the draining water creating a wall of black howling water. This time the water rose even faster and topped the wall. It kept rising up on the hillsides... Tears for the Land of the Rising Sun Commentary by Captain Paul Watson For Whom the Bell Tolls by John Donne No man is an island, Entire of itself. Each is a piece of the continent, A part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less. As well as if a promontory were. As well as if a manner of thine own Or of thine friend's were. Each man's death diminishes me, For I am involved in mankind. Therefore, send not to know For whom the bell tolls, It tolls for thee. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, our directors, advisors, onshore volunteers, staff, and our ship crews and officers sincerely wish to express our deepest concern and sympathy for the people of Japan who are suffering through one of the worst natural disasters in the history of civilization. Nature does not play favorites and just as the earthquake struck New Zealand recently, the fires ravaged Australia two years ago, and the tsunami struck India and Thailand not so very long ago, the message is clear - we all share the dangers of living on the water planet called earth. In the face of such peril from the forces of nature, we are all equal. ... And of Taiji? The tsunami also hit Taiji harbour. The 'whalers' there took all their boats safely out to sea to await the waves rolling harmlessly underneath them. The dolphins trapped in their pens were left abandoned to be dashed against the harbour walls and rocks. As commented there, any good farmer would release their livestock in the face of disaster... And yet despite the disaster: ... I cannot begin to describe the amount of kindness and generosity shown to us this day. It confirms my beliefs that Japanese people are warm and kind. The activities of the dolphin molesters in Taiji and the porpoise molesters of Iwate are aberrations and absolutely not the rule. There is so much hope that we will see the end of the slaughters and that Japan will become the leader it should be in marine conservation. ... It's all our world... Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) |
ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 21094 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20 |
And of Taiji? Looks like they are already back in the business of dolphin misery, aided and abetted by some surprising big names: Cathay Pacific Airlines Participates in the Dolphin Slave Trade On May 30, 2011, six captive dolphins were taken from Taiji, Japan and shipped to China. The trucks carrying the dolphins from Taiji were waiting at the Kansai International Airport at 9:00 am when we found them, meaning they left Taiji around 5:00 am, if not earlier. ... ... The captive dolphins were in those crates at least 12 hours by the time the plane took off. We do not know where the plane landed in China or how far the dolphins had to be trucked to the aquarium. How many hours were they in those crates? Did any survive the trip? Unfortunately, we have no idea. One can imagine what Cathay Pacific officials would say about their company’s participation in this activity. ... Meanwhile, a wild pod of dolphins in another part of the world is stirring attention: Save the Saddest Dolphins The pod was swimming peacefully in Samoa when nets closed in from behind -- trapping 25 wild dolphins for a luxury resort's latest exhibit. They are now locked in tiny pens, starved of food -- but we can free them. ... Hopefully so and worth a go, if only for the one pod. It's all our world, Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) |
ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 21094 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20 |
Another interesting turn despite the blindly belligerent intransigence of the Japanese and their conspirators: US targets Iceland on whalemeat exports ... Commerce Secretary Gary Locke has formally told President Obama that Iceland's hunt threatens the species, which is globally endangered. The president has 60 days to give his response, which can include trade bans. Iceland resumed commercial whaling in 2006, and the fin whale catch has since risen to about 150 per year, with most of the meat exported to Japan. ... Here's watching with interest... It's our only one planet, Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) |
ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 21094 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20 |
Just a reminder of what it is that is under threat from human perversity: In Pictures: The ocean's giants The blue whale is the largest animal in the world, weighing up to 200 tonnes and measuring 30m in length. There could be as few as 10,000 of the animals left following a huge decline in their numbers over the last century due to whaling. ... Never knew that some of the whales can live to be over 200 years old (if left unmolested). That also suggests that they will yet take a long time to recover, if they are allowed to recover... Here's watching with interest... It's our only one planet, Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) |
ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 21094 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20 |
Meanwhile, two very good successes for saving dolphins and whales: Sea Shepherd Prevents Pilot Whale Bloodshed in the Faeroe Islands ... Not a single whale or dolphin has been killed on the beaches or in the waters of the Faeroe Islands under our watch this July and August. ... 'Cove' star urges dolphin-watching for tourism ... Chikara Atsuta, an official with the tourism agency at Miyakejima, said he welcomed O'Barry's praise, and expressed hopes more people from abroad would visit the island of 2,700 people, 180 kilometers (110 miles) south of Tokyo. “I feel so grateful,†he said. “We do not hunt dolphins.†Miyakejima's dolphins live in the area so residents have even given them names. In contrast, dolphins are migratory in Taiji and so the same kind of dolphin-watching would be difficult to duplicate. But O'Barry urged Taiji to turn to whale-watching and other forms of tourism that are kinder to animal life. O'Barry said he will lead a prayer ceremony in Taiji for people who have died in the March 11 earthquake and tsunami disaster and for the dolphins about to die in the hunt. He is traveling by bus with two dozen people who are all dolphin-lovers, he said. Wakayama Prefectural police have said some 100 riot police are carrying out drills to prepare for possible confrontation... Here's watching with interest... It's our only one planet, Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) |
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