Australia refuses to protect Japanese whalers
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81 Comments
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18
tmarie
Classic. They want protection from the people who disagree with everything they are doing. If Japan wants to whale, let them whale. In their own damn waters. And stop calling is "science" and just come out with it. I have to wodner if the only reason why they continue to wail is because they're being spoiled children who refuse to listen to what the grown ups have said.
-13
genji17
Hypocritical DB...they dont want peace, peace doesnt get headlines. Hopefully first bout of assaults by the SS results in the Japanese coast guard rounding up all these terrorists and locking them up while the fishermen make their quotes.
Nothing less than 900!!!
4
Spidapig24
genji17
Yeah lock them up, so now you are advocating kidnapping people. Wow great idea.... How about the Japanese turn their whaling fleet around and head back to their own country and actually listen for once to the opinion of others who actually live around the area that they want to conduct their slaughter. This isnt just Australia this is all nations in the region that dont want the Japanese so why would these nations then help the Japanese do something that they dont want them to do. Lets hope the Japanese are lucky to spot one whale. And lets hope SS run them all the way out of the Southern ocean and all the way back to where they belong.
-11
genji17
Its not kidnapping, its placing them under arrest. At see the whaling ships fly under the Japanese flag and are expected to adhere to the laws of their land, as are the terrorists the SS. So once those SS fools commit assualt, they will be kindly arrested by the Japanese Coast Guard. That is my hope spidapig. Then the fishermen will be allowed to continue to whale under the LOOPHOLE that makes it LEGAL for them to do so. They dont have to listen to you or anyone else as long as it is legal (which, sorry to say, it is).
Just cuz you are near it doesnt mean its yours. The citizens of Antarctica are not complaining...theyre closer
8
Darren Brannan
It is not Australia's problem. SS is not an Australian organisation and the majority of my fellow Aussies abhor whaling so we have no obligation to protect the Japanese. I do hope that no innocent Japanese will suffer reprisals from the redneck element back home though. I fear that will happen to some degree, and that would be as repugnant as whaling. My hometown is a whalewatching mecca and yet the people there bent over backwards to help exchange students from Kessenuma while they were stuck in Australia as their hometown was practically erased. So much goodwill possibly wasted. There will only be the conclusion that Japan can spend money on whaling yet spend so little energy on evacuating kids from a very toxic environment. That is how the Card will be played whether factual or not.
10
Spidapig24
genji17
Ah so now you are trying to impose Japanese law 10000 km away from Japan in an ocean that borders other countries where you fleet has been told it is not welcome by those countries. So how did that imperialism work out for you last time genji?
Well that can be your hope. My hope is for a massive breakdown on your ships or failing that maybe sending one or two to the bottom of the sea. But we cant all get our wishes now can we. Certainly wouldnt like to be a Japanese visiting Australia if this does turn nasty, might be an uncomfortable holiday ;-)
Um there are no citizens of Antarctica thats probably why they arnt complaining... Sheez some people if this is the intellectual calibre of the pro whaling group the world is in deep trouble
5
BlueWitch
@genji17
YEAHHHHH KILL THEM ALL WHALES, KILL THEM ALL TO EXTINCTION...YEAAAHHH!!
then, when there's not even one left, I wonder what are these retards are gonna hunt next? Mermaids?!
4
The Munya Times
I am afraid of soon or later lives will be lost.
2
BlueWitch
Me: Whale meat is not only dark, stiff and gross, it's also cured with tons of mercury. Want some?
Tom Graham: No thanks. If I get a craving for mercury, I'll eat a thermometer.
6
WilliB
Exactly.
-4
genji17
spidapig
correct me if I am wrong, but if i ship sails under a flag then they are to abide by the laws of that country in international waters right? So they would have to abide by the laws of Japan just as the SS terrorists are supposed to do under whatever flag they sail under...but since the SS are the ones that try to enforce their will onto others with absolutely no justification or legal right I am assuming they will be the ones breaking the law.
Australia is by no means to required to assist the Japanese and I respect that, just as I respect them not giving visas to the SS captain. But until it is truly illegal (see no loopholes) then I the Japanese can continue whaling whether you like or not. I cant even call the SS vigilantes since they are not taking "the law" into their own hands, they are harassing Japanese citizens that are doing what they are allowed to do.
Also, no kidding, there are no citizens of Antarctica...my point was just cuz your country is close, doesnt mean its their waters...though I am pretty worried for Aussies if they are going to attack Japanese tourists just because some people are legally claiming whales.
Bluewitch, I dont recommned harvest animals to the point of extinction, that is irresponsible...but these whales are not endangered and a limit in place to keep it that way.
-1
cracaphat
Japan had better step up and fight its own battles,if it wants free rein to go kill whales.
0
Spidapig24
genji17
See thats where you are wrong Genji, Australia IS required to assist them in an emergency because Japan is conducting its hunt in waters that are Australia's responsibility for search and rescue. That is the whole point Australia who is responsible to rescue these whalers if something happens has said time and again it doesnt want them there in the first place but Japan ignores that and persists in going.
See my point is this, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, South Africa are the countries who border this ocean where the Japanese are whaling. They are the closest nations to this region, its their backyard and yet you and your pro Japan pro whaling crowd say that these nations have no say in what Japan who's nearest coast is on the opposite end of the earth does there. It would be like Australia fishing around Japan in international waters and ignoring Japans requests to stop then expecting Japan to come to their aid if something goes wrong.
Ah like Japan has maintained the whale stocks around your own islands, thats working really well isnt it?
0
T_rexmaxytime
Japan should just get out of IWC and start whaling like the Euros. The problem rises because they hunt whales in the loop hole of the IWC rules.
Also Japan should send coast guard and arrest those pirates and lock them up in Fukushima. IWC would be meaningless if Japan were to be out.
0
アメリ フセイン
Thank you Australia. I would thank you more if you would stop them from whaling in your EEZ.
1
genji17
Spidapig
Again, correct me if I am wrong, but Australia said they would not send ships for protection along with the Japanese whalers. However, if a whaling ship was under distress (ie sinking) the Australian government would rescue the fishermen. Probably would let the boat sink....but Australia is under no means required to provide security escort for Japan...but has an international duty to assist them in life threatening emergencies...right?
-5
DS
Sorry, Australia doesnt own the so-called EEZ. If they don't want to do anything, that's their business. As it is the business of the whalers to do what they are allowed to do by law, which is to kill whales. If a few eco-terrorists get harpooned in the crossfire, it's their own damn fault for trying to interfere with a legal hunt.
6
Spidapig24
Its amusing after all this time posters like arrestpaul, davidatokyo to name a few have been saying that its not Australia's water, and not Australia's issue here are the whalers and Japanese government asking Australia to support them in doing something Australia doesnt want them doing and is taking them to court over. Ah Japan the laughing stock of the world AGAIN.
-2
BlueWitch
@genji7
Alright, I'll give you that, but..when is it gonna be enough? We have 牛肉、鶏肉、豚肉、色んな魚だって Do we really need to eat whale, my friend? I mean, seriously. You know what? Let me share my own personal view on this, we mankind control too much already, domestic animals, wild animals and what have you. But whales like the BLUE WHALE for example should be FORBIDDEN to humans. This specie is the biggest animal on the planet, no man should ever be allowed to touch it. It's outrageous to try to wipe out such majestic and colossal animals just because a small bunch of people want to eat a few overpriced raw slices in some gourmet restaurant from hell. I did tried it once (someone ordered and offered me a small piece!!) and it wasn't pleasant. Just like the shark, dolphin, jellyfish, urchin and some specific species, I just don't like the flavor. It's odor and texture. Makes me uneasy. No one in my family is used to whale meat, even back in Okinawa. Still, you are free to eat whatever you want...from cockroaches to elephant manure, but let me tell you, I think from the bottom of heart, we have ENOUGH available to us, beef, chicken, pork, fish of every shape and color.....Do we really need to hunt these whales?
Eating whale meat is PREHISTORIC....IMHO
Moderator
All readers back on topic please. The subject is Australia's refusal to protect Japan's whaling fleet, not whether readers like eating whale meat.
-7
DS
They're just whales. As long as they're not endangered, there is no reason for Australia to waste time/money protecting them. Just another animal, a renewable resource like fish or squid or octopus. I wouldn't expect protection for any of the former either.
3
BlueWitch
@DSDEC. 07, 2011 - 07:12PM JST
Lame excuse. Failed Argument.
8
Tamarama
Japan are amazing. I am sure this is a serious request and that they are probably genuinely surprised that Australia has refused. Australians, like alot of people I suspect, don't support their disingenuous and dishonest commercial whaling venture that flaunts the spirit of an agreement to stop whaling until stocks are sufficiently recovered to resume a limited and controlled fishing program. Pro whalers can drone on all they want, but until the IWC gives the green light with the blessing of the International Community, all you are supporting is a poorly disguised whaling program designed to put whale meat on the end of chopsticks. That's all. By the way, the Sea Sheperd is currently in port in Albany, Western Australia - one of the southern most ports and the very last bastion of whaling in this country. In fact, that community was built around whaling and fought to the bitter end to retain the hunt for fear that the town would be destroyed forever (1978). Today it is a beautiful and thriving conservationist town - and home to the Sea Sheperd. A delicoius irony.
2
smithinjapan
Hang on a sec... so now Japan is wasting $28 million dollars to send its COAST GUARD to protect its ships in international waters (ahem, NOT the Japanese coast!), and they are still begging for protection?? How sad is that??
I also agree with SpidaPig -- pro-whalers (not pro-science people) on here moan and complain and talk about how its none of Australia or Australians business and yet here you have the Japanese crying for help from them, then sulking when they don't get it! It's quite hilarious indeed to see them turn themselves into utter laughing stocks (again!).
genji: Newsflash! If Japan is damaging the marine environment with its diesel ships while killing whales under the guise of science to put them on the plates of a few old men or force the whale meat down children's throats when no one else wants it, leaving the rest to rot in freezers, well then, the terrorists are the Japanese whalers, for they are the ones harming the environment.
0
smithinjapan
I still love, though, how the pro-whaling side claims it's for science when everyone knows what the main motive is, then when you point they out they fall back on the, "Well, it's not fair to attack our ancient traditions", and THEN when you point out there's no way they went to the Antarctic Ocean in diesel ships they just implode and start muttering about how they don't need foreign intervention, bla bla bla.... and yet here they are again, asking Australia for help. Aren't those land-locked African nations they pay off to side with them enough?
2
smithinjapan
Anyway, good on Australia. I particularly like the language they use:
“You don’t travel from one side of the globe to the other to harpoon whales and chop them up in the name of science,” he said.
Sums it up pretty well.
-2
davidattokyo
An Aussie polly makes a wild claim and the JT anti-whaling frat goes wild, once again.
Whereas what Australia was requested by the IWC is noted here: http://www.iwcoffice.org/meetings/resolutions/Resolution2011-2.pdf
4
Spidapig24
davidattokyo
Ah David welcome back, whaling on the agenda and David regales us with insults as usual....
But David as you have pointed out many times IWC resolutions are non binding and are just requests. Isnt that what you say when people mention the resolutions the IWC have passed calling on Japan the refrain from whaling? Now you want it both ways you want Japan to ignore the ones it doesnt like but you want Australia to abide by them....
2
BlueWitch
@smithinjapan
Disturbing behavior that makes me cringe. No one has the right to force children to eat something that its proven to be contaminated with extreme quantities of mercury. Just like the government forcing people to buy garbage from Tohoku.
4
bass4funk
This is one of the very few times where I have to agree with Spidapig. Everything he said is true IMO.
Here we go again, this is our culture, our right, heritage, but what is Japan going to do when the whale population is totally decimated? Eating something that is totally toxic anyways. They want and ask for Australia to protect them and yet, knowing how the rest of the world feels doesn't even try to concede, even just a little? Amazing, but so typical.
9
thepro
Whaling is such a waste of time. Who eats that crap anyway, apart from some nostalgic old geezers.
5
cloa513
Australia should send a "protection force". Its easier to stuff up the Japanese Whaling fleet from the inside than the SS could ever do. Make the Japanese regret asking for protection.
-8
kwatt
It seems that Australia accepts violence caused by Sea Shepherd in high seas. Australia doesn't have to protect Japans whalers but it should watch SS and stop violence as much as possible for both safety in high seas as Antarctic water is very dangerous.
6
Cricky
Why should Australia waist Tax payers dollars to protect a Loss making, subsidized, waist of Japanese Tax payers money?
-5
DS
I agree that the whole "research" aspect is a sham. It's too bad that it is necessary in order to conduct a perfectly normal human activity- namely using one of the earth's renewable resources. I say that commercial whaling (within reasonable limits) should be restored. Let the free market decide whether or not whale products are economically viable or wanted. If the public is as anti-whaling as some think, then the market for whale meat would disappear.
Blue Witch, I'm not sure why you think my statement was "lame". It's a perfectly reasonable position, and consistent with other forms of resource use. Whales aren't special or mythical or magical. They are protein.
As for Australia, they are free to do what they want. If the govt disagrees with whaling, they can make their feelings felt in the appropriate fora.
7
smithinjapan
kwatt: "It seems that Australia accepts violence caused by Sea Shepherd in high seas."
Clearly they tolerate even MORE violence committed by Japanese whalers -- sonic weapons at helicopters in flight (which could have killed them had the chopper went down), ramming SS ships, spraying water cannons, etc. You can bet that if the Japanese COAST GUARD commits any acts of terrorism in international waters that results in injury and/or death of any of the SS crew the Australian government will be less tolerant, and not in Japan's favour. I'm willing to bet that because Japan saw fit to declare the Antarctic as part of its coast line and bring along its ships for defense something will happen, and Japan will have screwed itself even more (they'll act surprised and blame everyone else, though).
In other words, the Japanese government defending a whaling mission even most people in Japan don't care about (and DEFINITELY most wouldn't eat!) is going to end up doing even MORE damage to Japan than the defense it intended. But hey, logic never has been a strong point with the J-government or with certain 'traditions'.
1
BlueWitch
@DS
DS, I assure you there is way more healthier protein in chicken meat. Whale meat is too ridden with mercury, therefore making it practically TOXIC to ingest. Please, do some research about the hazards of mercury inside the human body, especially children, which is why I feel shock every time I hear they served Whale/Dolphin meat as school lunch... If your children were in such school, would you agree? I know I wouldn't.
And as you said, Whales aren't magical or mythical, but they are like a thousand times the size of man, so I think we should have some "respect" for it, especially for the Blue Whale, biggest animal on the planet.
-6
DS
My son was in elementary school, and ate whale. No big deal..
If it is as terrible as you say, then the general public, given the free choice, will soundly reject and ignore whale products. The marketplace will determine if your position is tenable or not. Are you willing to accept that judgement?
Blue whales are irrelevant as they would be protected in any commercial whaling venture. Size doesnt mean anything.
2
GW
ds,
there are plenty of whales/dolphins in Japans coastal waters to more than satisfy the few who eat it, no need to go to the end of the world, literally, WASTING MY TAX $$$$.
And they shudnt hunt any more locally even until the massive freezers full of the crap are at least emptied some for christs sake!
3
xyberc
The Australian should send their fleet to round up the Japanese whalers so that they can investigate whether the whalers are conducting scientific research or illegal whaling as they suspect.
3
BlueWitch
@DS
Well, good for him. I know I won't let my children contaminated toxic food. It's too risky.
Actually, its sheer size is everything. That's the main point. Because of how majestic and magnificent the Blue Whale is, it should be complete forbidden to touch them, same as with the Elephant. The fact of the matter is, my friend, that some animal species should never be hunted.
3
Cricky
@DS
Let the free market decide? It has, the industry does not make a profit, warehouses are full, selling it cheep to schools, isn't enough to break even. It's a black hole for tax money. Government could save millions.
-2
herefornow
Good on you mates!!!!!
-4
kwatt
@smithinjapan Whatever you explain or try to make good excuse about it, but it is very very obvious that SS is making extreme violence to stop them whaling in high seas, but Japans whalers are not making any violence, they are just defending the mission of their research. Show the past videos footages to your children, wonder what they about it? NOT violence?
-1
BurakuminDes
How dare the Australian government not spend millions of dollars to send their (limited) naval vessels to protect Japanese whalers. Australians will be outraged at their government over this. NOT!
-1
Dotobock
Australians sure do not have a clue. Te obvious lack of identity and culture when they name their ship Oceanic Viking is rather amusing when Vikings used to hunt whales and Scandinavians still do. SHould have called their ship Oceanic Prisoners from UK instead or something Australian.
What happened to that legal challenge? Why did not AUstralia put their money where their mouth was?
0
herefornow
Kwat -- please. I think most children would see the videos of Japan slaughtering the mother whale and her off-spring as un-necessary violence, and what SS is doing as nothing worse than a prank.
-2
Cricky
Dotobock, I believe that the process involved, International Court, takes time. There are negotiations on going, and Japan's threat to walk away from the IWC if things don't go it's way. So It's a work in progress.
-1
DS
The free marketplace hasnt decided because the whole charade of "research whaling" and government interference makes it impossible. Actually, I wouldn't mind one way or another. If whalers can't support their businesses on their own, they should find other work. Unfortuantely, agriculture/food industries of all kinds are heavily subsidized here, so it's a difficult solution to envision. I say, let them whale and let the cards fall where they may.
BW, you are still making an argument based on emotion. "Big animals should never be touched". If you want to argue for species conservation, I will agree with you. If you argue for "magnificence", I won't.
1
Patrick Smash
@the pro
The answer is probably davidattokyo and some nostalgic old geezers.
So now Australian taxpayers are supposed to shell out money to protect Japan's ridiculous antarctic expeditions as well Japanese ones. What nonsense this really is. Japan should leave the IWC, resume commercial whaling and take the consequences instead of hiding behind this scientific bs.
1
Patrick Smash
DS, get this, taxpayers fund this program because it is not sustainable. The marketplace has voted and rejected, but the government props this up out of national pride. If the Japanese take whales from nearer Japan and make the program commercially viable, most non-extremists will shut up and let them get on with it.
0
Cricky
And so the discussion ends!
-2
davidattokyo
Spidapig24,
My point was that the Australian politician is misrepresenting the Japanese. They didn't ask Australia to protect the Japanese whaling vessels, they asked them to do what the IWC agreed in it's consensus resolution
(I assume you understand "consensus")
-2
arrestpaul
HAHAHAHA. You're a hoot. (and thanks for the mention.) The eco-terrorist Watson and his SS have made several requests over the years for Australia to send ships to the area and all of those requests have been refused. An Australian vessel has been sent but only to monitor the situation.
Japan made a standard diplomatic request that Australia put a leash on the eco-terrorists or they will have to provide their own protection. Australia says it doesn't want to get involved on either side. The whalers have a right to DEFEND themselves from attack. Australia can stand on the sidelines and watch or they can refuse to allow eco-terrorism to be committed from it's ports.
The headline should read - AUSTRALIA CONTINUES TO REFUSE TO PROTECT ECO-TERRORIST WATSON AND HIS SS
0
Spidapig24
Davidattokyo,
Who cares what the iwc consensus was! Seriously, how many times has the iwc through resolutions told Japan to stop their whaling? And when this is mentioned your response David is RESOLUTIONS ARE NON BINDING you say it time and again. Now you want Australia to adhere to what you yourself call a non binding request
-3
Dotobock
Spidapig24
Be good if you could try and explain why you are against Japan hunting non endangered whales in a sustainable manner. Instead of calling it garbage. That is not really an argument.
0
NeoJamal
Asking Australia for protection? how low can the Japanese government go? when you want to defend something you believe in you fight for it by yourself.
3
davidattokyo
... I gave you the benefit of the doubt, but perhaps you don't understand "consensus"?
Consensus?
I have already explained it three times now. The non-binding nature of IWC resolutions is irrelevant. The point is the Australian politicians is telling lies about what the Japanese said, and you and your anti-whaling mates are having a matsuri about it.
1
NeoJamal
Asking Australia for protection? how low can the Japanese government go? when you want to defend something you believe in you fight for it by yourself. That concept is not popular with the Japanese I know, considering how the nation continues to rely on the Americans for the bulk of its national defense, but how weak an opponent must be in order for a nation that claims itself as a sovereign state take the risk and show the courage to stand up for itself?
Then again, Japan's continued pursuit for commercial whaling is a show of longing for the days of American occupied Japan when whale meat was served at schools on a daily basis. What kind of self-respecting nation would long for the days of humiliation? This is all too ridiculous. Spare the whales!
1
davidattokyo
NeoJamal,
You've been deceived by the Aussie politician and the media. The Japanese never requested what the Aussie politician said, only that they fulfil their international obligations as noted in the consensus IWC resolution.
(Of course Australia is free to ignore the consensus resolution and their international obligations - the point is that it has been made out that Japan has made certain requests which it has not)
1
Patrick Smash
Dotoblock, it is not sustainable. Why do we have to use our taxes to pay for Japanese expeditions 10,000 miles away in the Antarctic when Japan's own research says whales are plentiful nearer home? Why does tax money that could be spent in Fukushima or in any number of other ways end up funding this? If whale tasted nice, Japanese people actually ate it and the industry was economically viable, you might have a point. But the meat ends up in freezers or force-fed to children and hospital patients because hardly anyone wants to eat it. I have tried whale and I understand why no one eats it, but actually, if the white men would shut up, in a few years time Japan would give this hunt up having won their silly little cockfight, because this is all about Japanese oyaji pride.
-1
YuriOtani
Spidapig24, I so agree with you on this issue. Checks my temperature... If anything the Australians ought to provide protection for the whales. About "traditional" hunting, suppose it would be ok if they went out in "traditional" 16th century boats using "traditional" equipment. This would make it a "traditional hunt and fall within their "rights" as the UN has deemed "traditional" hunting. Australia needs to protect their EEZ just like Japan protects its EEZ from Chinese fishermen.
2
Dotobock
The objective of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling states that it shall “... provide for the proper conserva- tion of whale stocks and thus make possible the orderly devel- opment of the whaling industry.” Furthermore, it states that de- pleted stocks are to be preserved, but that “... increases in the size of whale stocks will permit increases in the number of whales which may be captured.” All decisions made by the Whaling Commission are to “provide for the conservation, development and optimal utilization of the whale resources, ...shall be based on scientific findings” and “shall take into consideration the interests of the consumers of whale products and the whaling industry.” The IWC member nations are obliged to work actively towards the fulfilment of the treaty’s objectives.
If Australia wants a total ban on whaling then they are disrespecting the agreement which they have signed on.
0
BlueWitch
@Patrick Smash
MY SENTIMENTS EXACTLY!!!! Thank you~
0
BlueWitch
@DS
Note that some people are against whaling because they are considered intelligent, beautiful animals, etc.
I rather take the scientific path. The high mercury level makes the meat toxic and unworthy. The risk is too much. If people want to eat it, good luck to them, but at least be "humane" enough and do NOT feed it to children. I find it outrageous to feed little children such contaminated meat.
And yes, I find these colossal species "magnificent" but that doesn't mean I've been ruled by emotion. Not at all. My common sense tells me Whales shouldn't be hunted. They've been in this planet longer than many other species. Their populations are decreasing rapidly, therefore hunting them isn't helping them in any way. It's not about emotion or affection, its about sense of respect for the species.
-1
Dotobock
So this is not about environment then? This was the primary reason to why Japan stopped hunting whales. Because of uncertainties in stock numbers. Once people figured out that not all whale species were endangered, Australia still wanted to stop people hunting whales for food. When Sea Shepherd then goes violent in order to stop people to hunt non endangered whales for food, it back fires. People get upset. If there is no need or if the industry is not economical viable then why is Australia and SS helping Japan to maintain this industry? It would be better to let people eat whatever they please as long as the animals are not endangered and let the industry die out naturally instead of forcing it to die out. Forcing your culture onto someone is imperialistic. Truly outdated.
Why is it that Japan gets voted down on commercial whaling by IWC? If as you say the industry is not viable then surely Australia got nothing against Japan hunting comercially and then you don´t need to pay any taxes for others hunting whales for food.
-1
gelendestrasse
I can't see why the Aussies have any reason to participate in this farce and they certainly don't have any responsibility for the outcome. I'm surprised either Japan or SS thinks that Austraila should be involved, except they think they want to drag a responsible party into the fracus.
0
Fugacis
Good on the Aussies. Australia has absolutely no obligation, legal or moral, to waste taxpayers' money in this sordid, provocative enterprise that the Japanese are running. What bloody cheek Japan has to think that they can ask for assistance when Australia has repeatedly voiced its consternation at Japan's illegal activities.
Good luck to the Sea Shepherd lads too. This disgusting venture needs to stop.
1
OssanAmerica
"Spidapig24Dec. 07, 2011 - 06:52PM JST Its amusing after all this time posters like arrestpaul, davidatokyo to name a few have been saying that its not Australia's water, and not Australia's issue here are the whalers and Japanese government asking Australia to support them in doing something Australia doesnt want them doing and is taking them to court over. Ah Japan the laughing stock of the world AGAIN."
Japan is NOT asking Australia to support them. Australia is under no obligation to do anything in those waters, which ARE NOT Australian waters.They only have the search and rescue responsibility in the event of accidents. Japan is asking Auistralia t help prevent the need for such search and rescue as a result of Sea Shepherds declared intent. That Australia has refused, while within it's rights, will probably prejudice their position in the ICJ trial. But that's their choice. Wait till that case reaches a verdict, Australia will be the laughing stock of the world having gone against the advice of both the United States and New Zealand.
0
nigelboy
Predictable answer from those childish Aussies. This leaves no option but for JCG to tag along. Made it easier.
2
nigelboy
If their position changed that they're no longer interested in the "orderly development of the whaling industry", the mature thing to do is to pull out of the membership. I don't give a FF whether they were original members or not.
1
sfjp330
If Japan is worried about its cultural traditions, then why are they complaining about not being about to use the Southern Santuary? Japanese fishermen don’t use the Antarctic for fishing in!…it’s a rubbish excuse to slaughter whales, inside a santuary, on the other side of the planet. Especially when all the countries around it are completely opposed to it being done in their neighbourhood waters. I think Japan should not be trying to impose it’s will on other cultures, namely those around the Southern Saunctary who completely oppose this pillaging of their surrounding oceans. All the arguements about killing intelligent creatures is immaterial, they should hunt in their own waters, and if the problem is there are no whales around Japan, then there’s no traditional hunting grounds left..they’ve killed them all, and demonstrates they problem they are causing. It doesn’t mean they get to kill and eat everyone elses whales.
-2
YuriOtani
Australia should send its navy and send to them in no uncertain terms they are engaged in an unlawful act. Get out of the Whale sanctuary or else. If you do not like it go to the World Court and for the last time depart from our EEZ! These whales do not belong to Japan. Turnabout is just a wonderful thing! Since Japan arrests Chinese fishermen in its EEZ, they should have no complaints against Australia for maintaining their rights in its EEZ.
0
Tamarama
Dotobock
And I have just read your other post, which has a few tasty morels in it as well.
They haven't stopped whaling - that is what this article is about.
Australia is one of many that supports the current moratorium on whaling which is designed to allow whale stocks to recover. Why are you just singleing Australia out? The IWC will determine when the time is right to resume whaling.
They aren't. At all. Again, the point of this article.
If this industry is not viable then nobody should be exploiting in commercially - Japan, Australia or anyone else. And if you live in Japan and have visited restaurants and fish markets you will see all of that whale meat there for sale - which is clearly what the program is for as opposed to science. Japan doesn't have the good grace to honour the spirit of the moratorium on whaling - which is to refrain until such time that the fishing can be sustained in controlled and moderate circumstances. That's the point.
2
davidattokyo
The point seems to have escaped you - the primary reason it that the pelagic whaling industry is not viable right now is because of the commercial whaling moratorium (which has no proper justification) - that's why the only pelagic whaling operations now are government funded research programmes, as provided for by the whaling convention.
The rational, logical response to this crazy situation is to abolish the moratorium. The IWC Scientific Committee already has a method of setting robust, conservative and sustainable catch limits for Antarctic minke whales (and other baleen whale species). With needless restrictions on the pelagic whaling operations removed, then we could see how viable the industry is.
The whol idea of the whaling convetion is to conserve whale stocks while facilitating the development of the whaling industry. And you are complaining about the sale of products from the whaling research conducted in accordance with the whaling convention for just that purpose.
Why the hell should they! The moratorium is a violation of the spirit of the whaling convention under which it was established.
Those conditions were fulfilled almost 2 decades ago already (see above).
If you don't like whaling, you just need to say "I don't like whaling", rather than try to dress it up. Not liking whaling is a perfectly valid opinion, don't you think?
-1
sfjp330
For Australia to abandon the IWC one imagines it has to create its own legitimacy by accusing the IWC of corruption, and thus present itself as the only pure-hearted, interested party on behalf of whales. It’s a bit rich, but I guess this is how politics is played. I just wish people won’t behave like it’s otherwise. It’s just pathetic that there are so many votes in it for both sides of politics.
0
Dotobock
Japanese are very much capable as is each culture in the world of how to define their own culture. Much more capable than some ethnocentric outsider telling what is traditional and what isn´t. If Japanese have been eating whales for 2000 years then it is traditional. Try telling Japanese not to eat soybeans imported from USA because it is not traditional. It shows the highly culture imperialistic outdated attitudes of these champions of the whales.
In IWC. Norway, Iceland, USA, Denmark, Greenland and Japan among others are adhering to the principle of sustainable utilisation, in accordance with the Whaling Convention. Australia is adhering to the principle of no utilisation because whales are seen as special animals, which is against their own agreement they have signed on. It is the first position that is modern and sophisticated. The cultural imperialism practised by Australia is a concept of the past.
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Chris Lowery
Concepts, concepts. Whale meat is delicious. You would know if you tried it. However. Austrailia's refusal to assist Japan in its protection of whaling vessels, is very very inmature. i wonder if they have figured that out by now. They counter what they see as primitive, or barbaric actions with nothing less than childish behavior. Japan says, basically, 'Help us out here please, we know its not a serious event, but we certainly could use your assistance against eco-terroists.' Austraila, like some imature highschool jock, says, ' No, i dont want to, because basically I just don't like the way you do things' I could care less if someone gets hurt, and dont care about future diplomatic relations, which we know Japan will later directly connet to this refusal' thats the story here. Australia clearly needs to have a wider view of things. Mabye they don't approve. But to refuse to assist. i guess we're still just kids on the blacktop at school, and have'nt learned anything. Their foriegn relations officials need to hand back thier diplomas, because they obviously do not know what they are doing. Reconsider Austraila, reconsider fast.
0
arrestpaul
Hahahaha. Or else what? More eco-terrorist violence? Kinda proves that the supporters of the eco-terrorist SS were a violent bunch at heart.
First, Australia would have to convince over 180 nations that these international waters are no longer international waters but now belong to Australia. Good luck with that.
It's one thing for Australia to passive/aggressively allow the eco-terrorist Watson and his SS to attack other nations vessels from Australian ports but it's a whole different problem if the Australian navy began attacking other nations vessels for legally whaling in international water just because you want them to.
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YuriOtani
arrestpaul, well Japan can go to the world court and present their case. The slaughter of these whales for research is a lie and the meat is contaminated. Japan is disgusting to use money to aid people for this farce. The whalers do not need protection, Sea Shepard and the whales need it!
1
arrestpaul
Australia has repeatedly refused the eco-terrorist SS requests for protection.
The whalers have a right to DEFEND themselves from attack. Japan has been getting it's legal ducks in a row. They requested that Australia live up to it's international responsibility to prevent eco-terrorism from being conducted from Australian ports. There is no need for Japan to present this issue to a world court. They only have to arrest the eco-terrorists in international water for attacking Japanese vessels and bring them back to Japan for trial. Australia had it's chance to stand up against eco-terrorist violence.
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