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Anti-whaling activists use drone to track Japan fleet

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"Tokyo has confirmed it will use some of the public funds earmarked for tsunami reconstruction to boost security for the hunt. "

Those poor people in Tohoku. In future my donations are going to hopeandwood.org Never the Japan Red Cross again.

4 ( +12 / -8 )

Those poor people in Tohoku. In future my donations are going to hopeandwood.org Never the Japan Red Cross again. - good decision. But more difficult to stop our taxes going towards this yearly whaling fiasco

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Ah, good - sticking it to them early in the piece. I wish the Sea Shephers every success and hope they can run a campaign as sucessful as last year. I guess both groups have some wealthy benefactors - the SS MOMPS, and the Japanese all of the good folk who pay taxes for worthwile projects like Tsunami reconstraction....sorry, I mean commercial whaling.

3 ( +10 / -7 )

I don't mind the activists demonstrating as long as it doesn't get physical,board their vessels or destroy property.Otherwise disrupt all you like !!

5 ( +9 / -4 )

why this sea sheperd is allowed having like that weapons? im worried if they finally have missile and use it to fishermans.

-15 ( +5 / -20 )

Can we call this a "War for the Whales"? Whatever side will win this year, I'm quite sure both parties will be back again next year, and the year after that with more advanced and maybe even deadly coutermeasures against each other.

Thing is, since this seems to be fast becoming a physical and costly endeavour on both sides. Japan with their security, and Sea Shepherd with their drones. When this becomes physical and someone does get hurt, would the International Court come to intervene? Or will the world just watch them do their annual skirmishes?

I hope they have some gift-giving between ships to celebrate the holidays.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Give em hell. I think it is unforgivable that Japan spent money intended for aid in Tohoku to help fund their annual travesty of whaling. So more than ever, I hope the activists make life a living hell for the whaling fleet.

Gambatte!!! Given em HELL!

4 ( +12 / -8 )

Farmboy "criminals" is a term I think applies more to a nation who tries to mask commerical whaling as "science".

In any case this annual idiocy reflects far more poorly upon Japan than upon anyone else. So do keep up the good work of making Japan see backwards and silly. You do yourselves more harm than good with this. Especially now that the word is out that the government is spending Tohoku money on this. It is shameful beyond words.

2 ( +11 / -9 )

I hope the sea shepherd boats sink again.

<3 whale wars

-11 ( +10 / -21 )

Greapper1, why would you wish such a thing? Horrible to hope that people are put in danger of dying so you can have a laugh. Shame on you! No one rational is wishing for anyone on either side of this argument to be killed or seriously harmed.

1 ( +11 / -10 )

Why US allows companies to sell plane drones to known terrorist organization? This simply tells us what most people already knew, America is a terrorist supporter regime.Equally bad as Sea Sheperd because they provide them technologies. Stop interfering in our culture, Americans!

-20 ( +7 / -27 )

Kentaro take your culture home and no one will interfere. How about Japan stop forcing it's culture on the world? BTW Japanese companies sold technology to North Korea for nuclear weapon development, get angry at your own country.

4 ( +12 / -8 )

Kentaro, "terrorist organization?" Come on really?

Orwell warned that the meaning of words would be subverted for propaganda purposes. Bush led this conversion of the word "terrorist" to subvert the word so that it could be applied to anything. Thus undermining the real meaning and relevance of the word, while enabling us to lable anything we don't like as "terrorist" and therefore something that could be easily repressed.

As for "your culture" I am with Spudemanreincarnated, stop spreading your "culture" around the world and we will leave you alone. Whale all you want within Japanese waters and you can make that statement. Come out into international waters and bet your @ss we are going to have an opinion.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

@tkoind2 - hunting whales and dolphins for food IS part of our culture, and we will continuie to do it, in spite of usual American/New Zealand/Australia/Netherlands culture imperialism.We are hunting in Japanese and international waters, there is nothinging you can do.If you disagree then you are as much a terrorist as Sea Sheperds.

-12 ( +8 / -20 )

Save-the-whales hippie donations being channeled to military contractors. Welcome to 2012.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

We are hunting in Japanese and international waters, there is nothinging you can do.If you disagree then you "can say you disagree",

Is what you meant to write I'm sure. Disagreeing with someone is no crime so how is that terrorism? Your attitude sounds like Japanese cultural emperialism. "Agree with us or you are a white rascist"

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Sea Shepherd is a terrorist organization. They are trying to cut off a nation's food supply. The fact that they are allowed to operate technologies that could be armed with air to surface missiles or tactical nuclear weapons is worrisome at the least and terribly disturbing. Hopefully the Japanese Coast Guard will be able to protect our fishermen from these dangerous people.

-6 ( +7 / -13 )

t>koind2Dec. 26, 2011 - 09:28AM JST

Farmboy "criminals" is a term I think applies more to a nation who tries to mask commerical whaling as "science". In any case this annual idiocy reflects far more poorly upon Japan than upon anyone else. So do keep up the good >work of making Japan see backwards and silly. You do yourselves more harm than good with this. Especially now >that the word is out that the government is spending Tohoku money on this. It is shameful beyond words.

No I think you're completly wrrong. Whether Japan's research whaling is actually research whakling or not, we will have to see how the ICJ rules on that. Because the IWC Scientific committee certainly has not declared the data that Japan submits to it, in keeping with the IWC rules, to be false or invalid. Anyone who claims otherwise simply has no idea what they are talking about.. Whether one is for or against whaling, the fact remains that Japan is doing its research whaling legally and by the IWC rules. Again anyone who claimns otherwise is talking out their hindquarters. Again any doubts will have to wait until the ICJ ruling. Meantime, SSCI are eco-terrorists engaging in criminal activity and the poster is right in that MOMPS are abetting criminals on a par with ALF. The Tohoku money is irrelevant since this has nothing to do with donations and comes from Japan's own taxes. If that bothers you I think it should bother you that SSCI spend all this money to harass the whalers instead opf donating it to the Tohoku victims. Japan does not look backwards or silly for the simple reaso that they are in the legakl right, whether anyone likes it or not. The ones who do look backwards and silly are those who blindly support a criminal organization conducting criminal activity, bearing in mind that even Greenpeace won't go near SSCI with a ten foot pole.

0 ( +9 / -9 )

tkoind2Dec. 26, 2011 - 10:23AM JST Kentaro, "terrorist organization?" Come on really?

tkoind, yes really.

"Though self-named a “Conservation Society,” Sea Shepherd is a violent organization. Its purpose is to ram and sink ships. Earth Warrior author David Morris details one such voyage in search of driftnetters. Even in this gushing account, Morris notes, “The gunfire that accompanied our attack on the Japanese ships was not defensive.” So it’s no surprise that Sea Shepherd’s expeditions have served as a fitting training ground for other animal-rights militants. Rodney Coronado has long been involved with criminal groups such as the Animal Liberation Front (ALF), which the FBI has identified as the country’s most dangerous domestic terrorist threat, and the special-interest ALF subset known as SHAC. He was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for the 1992 arson of a Michigan State University research laboratory. He admitted to at least six other arsons in a November 30, 2002 speech. In January 2003, he demonstrated to a group gathered at American University the “correct” way to build a firebomb out of household materials. And Paul Watson gave him his start. Coronado joined SSCS immediately after graduating from high school in 1984. Two years later, he proposed a plan to covertly attack Iceland’s whaling industry. He and David Howitt, a British bicycle mechanic, destroyed a whale-processing facility there, and sank two of the Icelandic whaling fleet’s four ships. Watson supported the plan and SSCS took responsibility for the destruction. In the mid-’90s, Coronado again wanted to join a SSCS expedition. But he was wanted for questioning by the FBI and Watson said no. Watson was regretful, however, calling him “an excellent crew member and the best damn activist I ever had.” These words give the lie to Watson’s claim that “we have absolutely no links with the so-called Animal Liberation Front.”

http://activistcash.com/organization_overview.cfm/o/347-sea-shepherd-conservation-society

2 ( +12 / -10 )

ossan good post. Legally the Japanese are right, they do however smell bad to their Pacific Neighbors who would prefer they stay at home and pooh in their own backyard.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

Kentaro, your own Japanese history should teach you a lesson about having that kind of attitude towards world opinion. You cannot just do what you want and claim Japanese culture as an excuse. Nor can you just claim cultural imperialism every time Japan doesn't agree with something.

See you cannot have it both ways. You want to be a leading global player, then there are global standards you need to swallow. Like it or not. Otherwise you can go back to the isolationism that left Japan in a Medieval state when much of the world was already industrialized.

Change is inevitable. Other cultures also had whaling as a key to their traditions. They have evolved and now celebrate that culture in non-destructive ways. As you will eventually need to do.

So you can go on claiming "Japanese way, culture" as long as you like, but the economic reality, political damage and image cost of your continue to rack up will only hurt Japan. And in the end, it is the welfare of your people and economy that should trump any nonsense about whaling.

Until then, best wishes to the activists who are making it increasingly costly for Japan to continue this nonsense.

One other note. If Japan gives Tohoku donations to whaling, then don't be surprised if donations are harder to get next time. It is criminal that money given to help relieve Tohoku has gone to whaling, and that will not be forgotten by future donors. This hurts innocent Japanese. Something you also need to think about.

3 ( +10 / -7 )

Sea Shepherd's Paul Watson fakes being shot!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7Sz8uH0k-Q

This guy is nothing but a liar. He is f'd up.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"Sea Shepherd is a terrorist organization. They are trying to cut off a nation's food supply."

Funny! And I guess you believe Obama is an Illuminati and Big Foot is waiting to step into the next election as an LDP candidate.

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

OssanAmerican. No friend it bothers me that Japan re-routes donated money for Tohoku to fund a sham of "scientific whaling" which is clearly commercial.

Don't you see how that hurts innocent people in Japan? People who actually do need our help. I have spent the most of this year raising money for Tohoku and have been up to volunteer. There are still people in shelters and in very poor temporary housing. Those people I care about. And it is for those people that we have raised thousands of dollars to support this year.

When we found out the government was routing some of that money to whaling, we instantly lost supporters from in Japan and from abroad because they want to support and help people, not Japan's idiotic whaling activities.

This harms real living people who need help. And is yet another example of the boneheaded approach that Japan consistently takes in dealing with key international issues. Often to its own greatest harm.

1 ( +9 / -8 )

Sea Shepherd's Paul Watson fakes being shot!

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7Sz8uH0k-Q>

Can you trust him?

0 ( +5 / -5 )

they are now suing the activists in Washington seeking an injunction against what they say is a "life-threatening" campaign.

Yes. A life life-threatening whaling campaign.

with their two drones, donated by Moran Office of Maritime and Port Security (MOMPS)

Now, the Japanese are playing a mouse and cat game fro their lost prestige with MOMPS, and the growing number of rich and powerful patrons of SSCS.

Japan's coastguard has deployed an unspecified number of vessels to protect the whaling ships

Coastguard???? Armed Japanese assault hips at the coast of Antarctica????

Tokyo has confirmed it will use some of the public funds earmarked for tsunami reconstruction to boost security for the hunt.

Lady Gaga, could you please come back and write a new song about that and the money that you and other givers collected for the victims and is used for that? Do it, that will be a real smash hit I promise.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Whales are just food.

-4 ( +7 / -11 )

The pro-whalers wax lyrical about how 'scientific research' is legal, all above board, they're doing it for the data .....and then one of them puts a size nine in it by declaring, They are trying to cut off a nation's food supply. So it isn't all about the data, the whales are being killed for their meat, the meat isn't an unavoidable by-product of the research, it's the central purpose of the hunt. Oops, what a giveaway.

Unmanned aircraft are most notably used by U.S. forces in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Nice bit of Orwellian word-craft there. The US uses drones to kill civilians in Pakistan and Afghanistan, so by association SS must be intending to use their drones to - what? Launch air to surface missiles or tactical nuclear weapons? Some people need to grow up and/or stop smoking wakky weed.

The bottom line is that SS has outsmarted the whalers again by this time using tiny unmanned aircraft that are not affected by LRAD, can keep an eye on the whaling ships from a safe distance and keep SS informed of where the ships are. Now all they have to do is sit the Bob Barker behind the factory ship, and this year's whale wars are over before they begin, and without any violence - unless Japan wants footage of its coast guard clobbering peaceful protesters beamed around the world from unmanned drones.

Sweet.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

JapanGal, I am sure to something out there you are too. Does that make it ok for that thing to hunt you?

-1 ( +8 / -9 )

Now all they have to do is sit the Bob Barker behind the factory ship, and this year's whale wars are over before they begin, and without any violence - unless Japan wants footage of its coast guard clobbering peaceful protesters beamed around the world from unmanned drones.

You have obviously not followed any information on SSCS. SSCS are not "peaceful protesters"

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

Yes, we have seen Sea Shepherd go in between whales and the fishing boats, making themselves a "human shield" to protect the whales -- but what of the other "extreme measures" Sea Shepherd is willing to do?

The Sea Shepherd has been documented (some of them by SSCS themselves) to sabotaging factories, warehouses, sinking fishing vessels and other illegal activities.

What next, ram the drone with the fishing vessel? And later call it an accidental collision? This won't surprise me one bit.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Readers, please stay on topic.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

why this sea sheperd is allowed having like that weapons?

Since when are drones considered weapons? Drones are surveillance equipment used to monitor activity.

im worried if they finally have missile and use it to fishermans

That's one hell of a slippery slope argument , From drones to missiles -quite a large jump there...don't you think? There are a lot of companies that make civilian drones (although quite as sophisticated as military drones) and none of them have weapons

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Miirai.

Do some research into a little drone called the "Predator" that is used in the ME by western forces. Easy to rig a weapon onto a drone or any other RC vehicle.

Either way drones aren't cheap nor is the training to control them, also wondering how well they will do in the harsh climate down there, Water-spray, strong winds, etc.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

"and they are now suing the activists in Washington seeking an injunction against what they say is a “life-threatening” campaign."

The only thing 'life-threatening' about what's happening down there in the whale sanctuary, is the Japanese lack of regard for life -- be it whale or human. They fire acoustic weapons at helicopters IN THE AIR, they ram ships, fire water cannons, etc., and NOW they've brought their COAST GUARD (that's right, Japan's coast extends to the Antarctic!!), taking money away from funds earmarked for people in shelters who are still unemployed and have no place to live nine months after the massive disasters that hit Japan on March 11th. So once again, proof of the 'life-threatening' acts of these whalers, the JWC, and the government for supporting them. And when they create an international incident with their coast guard, they'll vacillate back and forth between it being 'science' and therefore legal and their 'traditions being attacked and food supply blocked', etc.

Go Sea Shepherd!!!

1 ( +11 / -9 )

It's Me

Do some research into a little drone called the "Predator" that is used in the ME by western forces. Easy to rig a weapon onto a drone or any other RC vehicle.

Or a ship, a plane, a helicopter or even a dolphin (US navy style), I think you are being over dramatic.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Yah SS!

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Moran Office of Maritime and Port Security (MOMPS), thank you ! Stop hunting whales !!! Stop killing Dolphins !!!

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Seems pretty typical of the Japanese to call foul, even though they use the same tactics. Last year (I think it was) the whalers sneakily hired planes in Australia to track the anti-whalers (sneaky due to the fact that they didn't inform the Australian government). It caused quite a controversy. But now as we see the anti-whaling groups employ drones, the whalers go ballistic.

I'm not anti or pro whaling. If the Japanese were allowed to hunt in their own waters I believe the whole thing would go away. But it does bug me a lot how Japan has handled the whole affair, it really does have an air of cultural imperialism, "If it is Japanese culture we will do whatever we want".

3 ( +6 / -3 )

WHALES ARE FOOD!... SS ships should be sunk and the eco-terrorists thrown in prison.. and i hope Whale wars gets cancelled too!

-7 ( +6 / -13 )

Readers, we understand this is an emotionally charged topic. However, we must remind you that neither side has the moral high ground, so please do not get carried away. If you cannot be civil and tolerant of opposing views, then please do not post here. Also, bear in mind that the topic is whaling, not cows, pigs or any other animal. Such analogies are, as always, irrelevant.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Mirai Hayashi

ok, drones are not weapons so far. but dont you afraid if a militant group like them who shot an acid launcher to people have drones? what if the drones have ability for attacking to the fishermans, they might use it. they are having too much equipment. however they can't control to use such things for only peace.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Patric Smash

You are completely off the mark. I also urge you who seem to have an opinion on this issue to study the issue more carefully. It is not nationalist to hunt a renewable resource in a sustainable manner in international waters. The sanctuary was supposed to be a temporary measure which also Australia agreed to but some time during their agreement, they changed their stance thus lying about the purpose of the sanctuary to begin with. The sanctuary is null void. It was supposed to have been up to a new reevaluation in the early 90s and it was. The IWC Scientific Committee concluded that there were enough whales to be hunted in a sustainable manner using whaling management procedures such as RMP. Despite the scientific evidence countries such as Australia still voted again, because of culture imperialist reasons.Not scientific. Speaking of science, it is rich of these anti whalers to criticize Japan´s scientific research when they are the ones who ignore science to begin with. Not winning the mammals extinction race at home would be a much more welcomed global contribution than fighting tooth and nail from Japan hunting in a sustainable manner a non endangered natural renewable resource.

Countries fish krill, various fish in Antarctica. Japan also wants to hunt whales there and treat the whales like any other animal, fish in the ocean. This makes more sense than treating the whale as some holy cow in the ocean like some of these westerners do.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Sea Shepherd is a terrorist organization.

That's true.

But not because of this:

They are trying to cut off a nation's food supply.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Next season's Whale Wars should be most interesting. By the way, drones or UAVs don't have to be expensive. Moore's Law applies to this technology and that means computing power goes up by an order of magnitude while cost drops about 50% every eighteen months. I wouldn't be surprised if that drone cost less than $10K, particularly one produced by a private firm. Will the Nisshin Maru respond with an EMP weapon to disrupt the drone's comm link? In the US, Whale Wars is broadcast on the Animal Planet cable channel.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

cleo wrote

The pro-whalers wax lyrical about how 'scientific research' is legal, all above board, they're doing it for the data .....and then one of them puts a size nine in it by declaring, They are trying to cut off a nation's food supply.

Why does your reasoning seem to go out the window on these whaling threads, Cleo? The data is collected with the aim of determining whether commercial whaling can be sustainably resumed. So the reasearch is legal, above-board and for data. AND the ultimate goal is food supply. Is this all too abstract for you?

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

SS is a dangerous organization, and all navies around the world should stop them.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Send in the drones!

2 ( +7 / -4 )

The sanctuary was supposed to be a temporary measure which also Australia agreed to but some time during their agreement, they changed their stance thus lying about the purpose of the sanctuary to begin with. The sanctuary is null void. It was supposed to have been up to a new reevaluation in the early 90s and it was.

You're confusing the sanctuary with the moratorium. The Southern Ocean Sanctuary was established in 1994 and reviewed in 2004 when Japan proposed that the sanctuary be removed, but failed to reach the 75% majority required (25 in favour, 30 against, 2 abstentions). Japan ignores the Sanctuary.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Anti-whaling activists are becoming annoying -_-'

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

You're confusing the sanctuary with the moratorium. The Southern Ocean Sanctuary was established in 1994 and reviewed in 2004 when Japan proposed that the sanctuary be removed, but failed to reach the 75% majority required (25 in favour, 30 against, 2 abstentions). Japan ignores the Sanctuary

It has no scientific value as IWC ignored the unanimously adopted resolution by the IWC Scientific Committee that there were enough whales to be hunted in a sustainable manner. Countries voted due to culture imperialist reasons. Any country can permit scientific research and that is what Japan has been doing. It then becomes highly hypocritical and ironic that these countries which disrespect and ignore scientific data to begin with criticize Japan´s scientific research.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

The data is collected with the aim of determining whether commercial whaling can be sustainably resumed.

Japan states plainly that the aim is to show that commercial whaling can be sustained, not to determine whether or not it can (with the implied possibility that the data might in fact show that it cannot be sustained)

AND the ultimate goal is food supply

But they aren't complaining about some ultimate goal that they might be able to achieve in the future, they're talking about now. If this year's 'research' is being carried out for the purpose of boosting the food supply, then they're not simply making use of 'by-product', they're hunting for the table, which is a violation of the moratorium. The 'food supply' was cut off in 1986 when the moratorium came into effect.

It isn't my reasoning that's out of the window, Nessie. (Actually it isn't the whalers', either. They reason that the loophole is there to be exploited, and that's what they're doing. It's just that their excuses are so transparent they insult the intelligence.)

0 ( +5 / -5 )

hunting whales and dolphins for food IS part of our culture, and we will continuie to do it, in spite of usual American/New Zealand/Australia/Netherlands culture imperialism

I thought the hunting is done for scientific purposes. Isn't that the reason that is always given?

7 ( +11 / -4 )

Dotobock, can you provide a link to this unanimously adopted resolution by the IWC Scientific Committee that whales should be hunted in the Southern Sanctuary?

3 ( +6 / -3 )

@hunting whales and dolphins for food IS part of our culture, and we will continuie to do it, in spite of usual American/New Zealand/Australia/Netherlands culture imperialism

Guns and rifles are American culture, so I guess we should let Americans tote them around anywhere they go ...right? Even Japan perhaps?...No? I didn't think so.

Japan had a whaling culture (once upon a time) because whales were one the of only types of food available. Now, hardly anyone in Japan eat whale because there is no need to. The only people who do are the small whaling communities who try to keep the industry alive because its the only way they know how to make money.

Personally, I don't object to whaling itself; I object to the methods that the Japanese use as well as the fact that they they claim that its for "scientific purposes", when in reality, they turn around and sell the meat for profit.

what if the drones have ability for attacking to the fishermans, they might use it. they are having too much equipment. however they can't control to use such things for only peace.

Another slippery slope argument. You're assuming that just because the military has the technology, that this would fall into civilian hands. I think that the moment that activists start using military style weapons to attack civilian, is when they lose public support, hence they will have the international police and courts to deal with.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Sometimes I am surprised to see how emotions are released and things go wild in this thread, I can't even imagine what could be going on there on the open sea and how far things might escalate.

They are playing a chicken game, cars running against one another and who will jerk the steering wheel away, and the SSCS will not even if they die and the Japanese opted to drive blindfolded in order to show SSCS they will not either, because they don't even see anything.

Japan is a country not a militant group, should behave like that and instead of retaliating the same way they should pursue a sound, executable legal solution for this problem. If there is no such legal solution exist or failed, then suspend the whole whaling thing for awhile till they find a solution.

They way the world is reeling on in these days in the midst of security and economic hardship, even a seemingly insignificant action can lead to war. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I think it is true.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

hunting whales and dolphins for food IS part of our culture, and we will continuie to do it, in spite of usual American/New Zealand/Australia/Netherlands culture imperialism

Culture? Hunting only started in the 1950's after the war because Japan didn't have any food and the US allowed / recommend it so it would save them having to give food to Japan.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

@cleo

Japan ignores the Sanctuary

Japan and 22 other IWC members, out of the total of 89 IWC members.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Sorry, the other way around.

23 countries observe the Sanctuary. Japan and 65 other IWC members don't.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Culture? Hunting only started in the 1950's after the war because Japan didn't have any food and the US allowed / recommend it so it would save them having to give food to Japan.

You mean the 7th century.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Culture? Hunting only started in the 1950's after the war because Japan didn't have any food and the US allowed / recommend it so it would save them having to give food to Japan.

That statement is just not true. They have been whaling longer than America exists as a country.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

23 countries observe the Sanctuary. Japan and 65 other IWC members don't.

Japan is the only one hunting there.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

You have to love these threads, whenever you post a fact you get a negative rating because people are too lazy to do their own research.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

smithinjapan,

taking money away from funds earmarked for people in shelters who are still unemployed and have no place to live nine months after the massive disasters that hit Japan on March 11th.

Ask any Japanese, and you will learn that we would all be willing to live in a homeless shelter in exchange for the protection of our culture and very way of life. I'm sorry, but I think it's pretty clear that Japan does have the moral high ground here. We are simply fishing for some food and our defenseless fishermen are being attacked by violent thugs who has used chemical weapons against them on the open seas.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Readers, please note that neither side has the moral high ground on this issue, so once again we remind you to be tolerant of opposing views.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Monies generated from donations to the Red Cross earmarked for the earthquake are not used for whaling at all but rather the budget by the government are being used. Donations and government budget are two different items. Don't get them mixed up.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Ask any Japanese, and you will learn that we would all be willing to live in a homeless shelter in exchange for the protection of our culture and very way of life.

lol I just asked my Japanese hubby if he'd be willing to live in a homeless shelter in exchange for the protection of Japanese culture in the form of whaling, and he looked at me as if I'd gone crazy. He answered with a question (お前、どかしたんじゃない?) which I think translates as No Way.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

cleo

Dotobock, can you provide a link to this unanimously adopted resolution by the IWC Scientific Committee that whales should be hunted in the Southern Sanctuary?

First of all. You do know that the mine whale is not endangered? And your favorite people SSCS are completely ignoring the highly critical RIGH WHALE off the coast of USA and Canada and instead fighting tooth and nail to stop Japan hunting non endangered minke whales.

In 1993, the Scientific Committee unanimously recommended the IWC to adopt the RMP. However, the Commission chose not to. Further,iIf you had bothered studying about this issue you would probably have known by now that the Chairman of IWC Scientific Committee Phil Hammond resigned in protest as IWC members kept completely ignoring the scientific data provided by IWC Scientific Committee.The IWC Scientific Committee unanimously agreed to adopt the RMP but anti whaling countries voted against. It should be obvious to anyone who knows anything about anything that anti whaling is driven not by logic or science.

As I stated earlier the Sanctuary is not due to scientific reasoning but cultural. They want the Japanese to look at whales as cute teddy bears, holy cows of the ocean. Where as the Japanese want to utilize a natural renewable resource in a sustainable manner.

http://www.whaling.jp/english/history.html#06 http://www.highnorth.no/Library/Policies/National/is-un-s.htm

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Dotobock - I'll take that as a No, you can't provide a link to the unanimously adopted resolution by the IWC Scientific Committee that whales should be hunted in the Southern Sanctuary. :-)

the Sanctuary is not due to scientific reasoning but cultural.

So......Let me get this straight, Japanese culture that involves blowing holes in marine mammals is sacred and should be preserved, but other cultures that object to barbarity/cruelty/barefaced lies/dubious data need to back up their claims with scientific reasoning? OK, here's a bit of scientific reasoning for you to slap on your Japanese culture argument, based on the science of economics. Whaling can't survive without massive injections of taxpayer money. What scientific basis is there for continuing to pump into a dead industry unlimited amounts of cash (3,000 million yen, 600% up on last year), in these straitened times when the government says there is no money and it wants to raise taxes?

I don't think Mr cleo and Mrs Smash are in the minority.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

So you are now concerned about the economy now and not the fact that whales are endagred.

'The whales are endangered' has never been my argument. Neither has 'the whales are cute'. I object to the way they are killed; it's impossible to ensure a quick, clean death on the open sea, and in my book, if you cannot kill an animal without inflicting suffering, the blindingly obvious way to go is not to kill the animal at all.

But concerned about the economy? When it's my tax yen that is being used to finance this fiasco to the tune of thousands of millions of yen? And Noda wants me to pay more to reconstruct Tohoku/pay pensions to freeloading shufu who never paid a brass yen in/keep the amakudari barcodes in clover? Darn right I'm concerned about the economy.

I see the unanimously adopted resolution by the IWC Scientific Committee is still not forthcoming. I don't expect it to me.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Spend less on this circus and more on improving the outdated farming model! Whales are never going to be an answer for a 40% self supply problem. How about working to increase self supply or at least work more to maintain it.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Out of curiosity, but when is Japan going to publish the research it has learned from this.. Surely by now, with a country as techno-advanced as Japan, and with the years of research already out there., they've gleamed/learned something truly insightful. I am just wondering what has all of this research learned. Ignoring the food issue, the moral issue, and the culture issue, from a purely scientific standpoint, if 20+ years of research yields no new data on an already extensively researched subject then there is no reason to continue this "research".

1 ( +6 / -5 )

The lengths some people will go to in order to make another series of a very profitable TV show. If it wasn't for Whale Wars and Sea Shepherd, Japanese whaling would have had a good chance of quietly dying out and the people living in Japan could have seen their tax money spent on much more important projects. As long as this TV program continues, Japan will make more and more efforts to make sure this annual farce continues.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

From Animal Planet's website:

"Whale Wars: It's not about whales. It's about 42 crazy die-hards with a mission. Follow the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's ongoing struggle to end Japanese whaling on our website, featuring deleted scenes, crew profiles, behind-the-scenes interviews, articles about whaling and much, much more!"

"Much, much more" includes expensive "Whale Wars custom gear" t-shirts, hoodies, mug cups, baseball caps and , of course, lots of DVDs. Exactly right, it's 'not about whales"...... but it is about "42 crazy die-hards" and a big TV cable channel who would be so disappointed if Japan ever decided to give up whaling.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Go Sea Shepard, they have the moral high ground.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

tkoind2Dec. 26, 2011 - 11:30AM JST OssanAmerican. No friend it bothers me that Japan re-routes donated money for Tohoku to fund a sham >of "scientific whaling" which is clearly commercial.

Why should it bother you? It has absolutely no bearing on the anti-whaling countries or on any of the foreign people and organizations that have made donations. Again I have to repeat whether the research whaling is "clearly commercial" is something that can not be determinbed based on current facts and will require an ICJ ruling. So constabnrly repeating "wishful thinking" at best and "an outright fallacy" at worst when no definitive evidence exists to support your position is just plain silly.

Don't you see how that hurts innocent people in Japan? People who actually do need our help. I have spent the >most of this year raising money for Tohoku and have been up to volunteer. There are still people in shelters and in >very poor temporary housing. Those people I care about. And it is for those people that we have raised thousands >of dollars to support this year. When we found out the government was routing some of that money to whaling, we instantly lost supporters from in >Japan and from abroad because they want to support and help people, not Japan's idiotic whaling activities. This harms real living people who need help. And is yet another example of the boneheaded approach that Japan >consistently takes in dealing with key international issues. Often to its own greatest harm.

This is an example of how the domestic tax money in Japan being earmarked for this purpose has been deliberately confused with the overseas donations. The Japanese research whaling, as was the commercial whaling prior to 1982, is part of Japan's fisheries. A great portion of which was affected by the Tohoku disaster. If SSCI didn't conduct eco-terrorist activities there would be no need for the funds to go to additional security to protect life and propertyy, Ask yourself what is Greenpeace doing that causes money to be spent unnecessarily, as you wold put it? A few countries, making claims over international waters that the rest of the world doesn't recognize, trying to force Japan to stop a legal activity through villification and demonization hardly reflects any "boneheaded" approach on the part of Japan. They have answered Australias absurd ICJ complaint as would anyone in the legal right. Your comment, suggesting that the whakling issuie is the same as all other international affairs Jap[anm is engaged in reflects your biased view so frequently evident in the anti-whaklingcommunity that supports criminal activity.

-8 ( +4 / -12 )

The Japanese whalers are acting within the structure of international law and operating in international waters, whereas the Sea Shepherd is acting like "pirates" in this case. They are harassing a legally protected vessel and now they're introducing high-tech drones... ala Predators. Just great!! The Whale Wars have started because I don't see Japan backing off on this one and the crazy Sea Sheppherd activists will do something drastic (putting human lives in danger) to save a couple of whales!! Why don't they go "activate" in Libya.... what a farce that was. If the Japanese want to eat whales, then let them!! I heard it's not that good actually!!! Certainly not delicious Oma maguro!!

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

Charles M Burns - Go Sea Shepard, they have the moral high ground.

The eco-terrorist SS have a very long history of using violence to force their views on others. If you support the eco-terrorist Waston and his eco-terrorist crews, you are also pro-violence. Even Greenpeace refuses to have anything to do the uber-violent SS.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

billyshears - From Animal Planet's website:

"Whale Wars: It's not about whales.

Good point. Animal Planet is a commercial media enterprise that is using the violent actions of the eco-terrorist SS to sell advertising time. On the plus side, the recorded actions of the eco-terrorists have done much to show the viewing public how dangerous and incompetent the eco-terrorists are.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

Christopher Lambert - Out of curiosity, but when is Japan going to publish the research it has learned from this..

You'll need to go to the IWC for information on the research instead of wasting your time reading the eco-terrorist blogs.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

Moran Office of Maritime and Port Security (MOMPS) says they are working to enforce international maritime and fisheries rules and "helping to PREVENT acts of terrorism and piracy worldwide".

It will be interesting when the FBI and U.S. Congress respond to the fact that MOMPS are now selling U.S. technology to eco-terrorists. Like night vision scopes which are federally restricted items that can't be sold to just anyone for any reason. MOMPS may just have put their U.S. government contracts in jeopardy.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

cleo - 'The whales are endangered' has never been my argument. Neither has 'the whales are cute'. I object to the way they are killed; it's impossible to ensure a quick, clean death on the open sea, and in my book, if you cannot kill an animal without inflicting suffering, the blindingly obvious way to go is not to kill the animal at all.

And are you willing to support the sinking of fishing and whaling vessels to force your view on others? Ramming vessels is OK because no "animals" were hurt during the collision? Launching glass bottles of acid and throwing red phosphorus flares are considered "acceptable" practices if you get your way in the end? Dropping paint bombs, and who knows what else, from the air is just another "standard operating proceedure" of the animal rights mindset? Are you just another "pro-violence" to end the violence type of person?

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

While I wouldn't deny that Sea Shepherd is a terrorist organisation led by one of the most egocentric blowhards on planet Earth, I'm not so sure they are as dangerous as people make them out to be. If they were, you'd think the Nisshin Maru would be on the bottom of the ocean given the number of times Sea Shepherd vessels have come in contact with the factory ship. Where are their bombs and torpedoes? Wouldn't their goals be a lot easier if they simply sank the Nisshin (it'd take years to build another factory ship) regardless of the consequences? Why can't they use their helicopter or rafts or drones to send the whole fleet to the bottom in the name of protecting whales?

Most terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda, the IRA etc. have no qualms about taking other people's lives and destroying their property for the sake of their cause. If Sea Shepherd isn't doing that... well, perhaps they're not doing their job properly?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Hopefully with the added security ... there will be no attacks from the eco-terrorists... and Whale Wars will be cancelled thus stopping an added stream of revenue for Paul Watson and his gang of eco-terrorists!

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

devdave - While I wouldn't deny that Sea Shepherd is a terrorist organisation led by one of the most egocentric blowhards on planet Earth, I'm not so sure they are as dangerous as people make them out to be. If they were, you'd think the Nisshin Maru would be on the bottom of the ocean given the number of times Sea Shepherd vessels have come in contact with the factory ship. Where are their bombs and torpedoes? Wouldn't their goals be a lot easier if they simply sank the Nisshin (it'd take years to build another factory ship) regardless of the consequences? Why can't they use their helicopter or rafts or drones to send the whole fleet to the bottom in the name of protecting whales?

Most terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda, the IRA etc. have no qualms about taking other people's lives and destroying their property for the sake of their cause. If Sea Shepherd isn't doing that... well, perhaps they're not doing their job properly?

Have you seen the 10 flags painted on the side of the eco-terrorist scows? They represent 10 vessels that the eco-terrorist SS brag that they have sunk. They also brag that they have rammed 4 Japanese whalers. It's only because of their own incompetence that they haven't sunk more vessels NOT because they haven't tried.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

Ramming vessels is OK because no "animals" were hurt during the collision?

People were hurt when the SM2 deliberately rammed the Ady Gil. Obviously that is not OK. The ships SS have sunk were in port and their sinking inflicted nothing but monetary damage. Huge difference.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

People were hurt when the SM2 deliberately rammed the Ady Gil. Obviously that is not OK. The ships SS have sunk were in port and their sinking inflicted nothing but monetary damage. Huge difference.

The Japanese said the Ady Gil hit them. Your friends the SS said the SM2 hit them.

The official judgement is still out.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

cleoDec. 27, 2011 - 08:20AM JST People were hurt when the SM2 deliberately rammed the Ady Gil. Obviously that is not OK. The ships SS have sunk >were in port and their sinking inflicted nothing but monetary damage. Huge difference.

Do you actually swallow every liie that SSCI dishes out? Both the Australian and New Zealnd maritime authorities reports did not reach that conclusion. I bet you believe Watson was "shot" too right? As for "nothing but monetary damages" I suppose if I blew up your car while it was parked because I personally don't like what your doing it would be perfectly ok?

0 ( +5 / -5 )

>I suppose if I blew up your car while it was parked because I personally don't like what your doing it would be perfectly ok?

If it were being used to chase animals to exhaustion, shoot them and drag them around the streets spilling blood and guts until they finally expired, you wouldn't need to. I'd disable it myself.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Back on topic please.

I'd disable it myself.

Wow! Unbelievable. Are you really above the law?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

>Are you really above the law?

Wow! When did disabling one's own property to prevent it being used in a crime become a crime?

0 ( +4 / -4 )

cleo - People were hurt when the SM2 deliberately rammed the Ady Gil. Obviously that is not OK. The ships SS have sunk were in port and their sinking inflicted nothing but monetary damage.

Video shows that the AG changed it's SPEED and accelerated into the path of the SM2.

That was the 2nd collision that Bethune's boat was involved in. In 2007, as the Earthrace, Bethune's boat destroyed a 26 foot skiff off the coast of Guatemal, killing one fisherman and injuring another. If only Bethune had a "drone" to tell him where to go. I'm sure the fisherman's families could tell him where to go.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

When did disabling one's own property to prevent it being used in a crime become a crime?

Fair enough, now that it is known perfectly that you'd disable YOUR OWN car. The original "your" car in the comment just before yours could have meant anyone in particular.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Most terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda, the IRA etc. have no qualms about taking other people's lives and destroying their property for the sake of their cause. If Sea Shepherd isn't doing that... well, perhaps they're not doing their job properly?

They are doing their job properly......they are making an exciting TV show for Animal Planet that generates millions for the channel and Paul Watson.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

when the SM2 deliberately rammed the Ady Gil

It is amazing how many people can come to this conclusion based on what they've read on Japan Today/other biased news sites/1 five second video clip conveniently edited. Yet neither the Australian nor New Zealand investigations were able to come to such a conclusion.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

@cleo

Japan is the only one hunting [in the Sanctuary].

Well I'm not hunting in there, either. That hardly means I recognize it.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

cleoDec. 27, 2011 - 11:17AM JST >Are you really above the law? Wow! When did disabling one's own property to prevent it being used in a crime become a crime?

Nice job twisting it around. My question was whether it is OK with you for ME to blow up your car, because I personally believe you are committing a crime, even though what you are doing is legal and hence it can not be stopped through legal means and I have absolutely no authority or jurisdiction to enforce any laws anyway.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Ask any Japanese, and you will learn that we would all be willing to live in a homeless shelter in exchange for the protection of our culture and very way of life

j4p4nFTWDec. 26, 2011 - 05:27PM JST

People will stay homelsee shelter in exchange for the "Culture" and way of life? Heard that exact line during the WWII. Gimme a break., you are very dangerous toJapanese. You cannot fool me. Watch out.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

It should be an exciting season of Whale Wars. Sea Sheppard will be able to track them and the whalers will be unable to hide. So tally ho! Good hunting Sea Sheppard! Save the Japanese from themselves and save the whales. Your drones will be able to help. Wonders what the Coast Guard people will do? Perhaps the use of deadly force against the protestors.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Yuriotani, this isn't about whales. It's about whether anyone or group has the right to take the law into their own hands. There are plenty of people against whaling who do not support Sea Shepherd and their criminal. activities. Even Greenpeace who are obviously anti-whaling does not support Sea Shepherd. Rooting for Sea Shepherd does not show the world that one is anti-whaling, rather it shows that one has no respect for law and order, or civilized means of resolving problems.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The Japanese government needs to take a stand and "grow a pair" against these terrorists and their media hound leader. All force necessary should be used to protect Japanese vessels. I bet if they were Russian whaling research vessels the "Sea Shepherd and their play pirate hippie crew would "disappear" in a mysterious "water spout" or some similar freak of nature.Wink,wink,nod,nod. There is something to said in showing clowns like Watson and his ilk you will be pushed and pushed no further.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

midoritori, it is well outside of Japans waters or even EEZ. It happens to be in the EEZ of Australia and they do not permit whaling. The Aussies need to grow a spine and stop the whalers. About "growing a pair", I find that remark to be sexist and offensive. It implies women are inferior to men because they lack these organs.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

YuriOtani, funny, I'm female and don't find "growing a pair" offensive at all, but I'm also comfortable in who I am and what I'm able to do. There is certainly no intellectual inferiority between the sexes but there is for the most part a definite physical difference between males and females in strength and aggression (most combat soldiers in the world are male,most crimes of aggression (rapes,mugging) are committed by males) I stand by the term. Defending your ships with as much force as necessary up to and including lethal against privateers on the open sea regardless of who claims it as territory is justified. I certainly would not put it past Watson and his merry band of zealots to pull a "kamikaze" with a drone at some perceived desperate moment.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

YuriOtaniDec. 28, 2011 - 03:15AM JST It happens to be in the EEZ of Australia and they do not >permit whaling. The Aussies need to grow a spine and >stop the whalers.

Where did you dig up this nonsense? If the reserch whaling were being conducted within Australia's EEZ they would have been stopped and escrorted out of the EEZ by the Australian Maritime authorities. The Research Whaling is being done in International Waters and therefore the Australians can not do anything about it.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

I see nothing but escalation here. The Japanese coast guard protecting the whalers. International reifications through more accidents and violence. Many newspapers/magazines have picked up on the J gov't using JPY 2.3 billion of the Fukushima aid to fund whale hunting. Greenpeace has slammed this allocation. Rollingstone photos threat assessment: December 5th-9th.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society spokesman Paul Watson said the unmanned long-range drone, launched from the anti-whaling ship the Steve Irwin,

Did I read tha tright? Someone named a ship after serial animal torturer Steve Irwin?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

The sea shepherd boys are mostly financed by the Discovery channel tv network in the US. The fees for the "show" on weekly are the real money behind these criminals. Perhaps they have some assets or personnel in Japan that can be attached or arrested. Their real interest is in the money from commercials, hard to claim the pure as a driven snow bullshit.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Hey Japanese whaling industry, can you just cut out the lying, bribing and just be upfront about harvesting whales instead of this entire "research" BS. Just hunt whales that are NOT endangered and no one will care all that much about you wanting to eat mercury tainted whale meat.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Hunting whales in a preserve in Antarctica is not part of Japanese cultural heritage. Their cultural heritage is using small boats and harpoons to hunt whales near Japan. They can no longer do that because they fished those waters dead. You killed your own culture Japan. Grow up and deal with the consequences.

And just because it's part of your heritage doesn't make something right.

Fishing is a sustainable industry if done right with limits and seasons. Japan approached it like strip mining and now wants to continue doing so in others' waters.

I hope Sea Shepard gives them all ulcers.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The Truth MattersDec. 31, 2011 - 06:04AM JST Hunting whales in a preserve in Antarctica is not part of Japanese cultural heritage. Their cultural heritage is using >small boats and harpoons to hunt whales near Japan. They can no longer do that because they fished those >waters dead. You killed your own culture Japan. Grow up and deal with the consequences.

No that's incorrect. Japan was whalijng with the same equipment and vessels as the United States, England, Australia, Norway, Russia etc etc as early as the 1920s. What's cultural is whaling and consuming whale meat, not the equipment.

And just because it's part of your heritage doesn't make something right.

What country has the right to tell others to change something that's part of their heritage? We call that cultural imperialism.

Fishing is a sustainable industry if done right with limits and seasons. Japan approached it like strip mining and >now wants to continue doing so in others' waters.

Whaling, whether commercial or research, isn't fishing. Strip mining is an environmentally devastating method enmployed mostly by countries like Australia, Canada and trhe United States. And the Japanese are not conducting research whaling in anybodsy's waters, they are doing it in international waters.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The Truth Matters - Hunting whales in a preserve in Antarctica is not part of Japanese cultural heritage. Their cultural heritage is using small boats and harpoons to hunt whales near Japan. They can no longer do that because they fished those waters dead. You killed your own culture Japan. Grow up and deal with the consequences.

And just because it's part of your heritage doesn't make something right.

So the truth doesn't really matter about this heritage issue, you just want all whaling stopped.

Fshing is a sustainable industry if done right with limits and seasons.

The research whaling has limits and a season.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

arrestpaul

The research whaling has limits and a season.

Yeah the limits and season is set by the Japanese so that is not really impartial now is it. If the quotas where set by the IWC or an external body then maybe your statement would be reasonable, but the facts are the Japanese whaling industry sets its quotas and seasons and therefore has no external oversight not the best way to do things

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Cletus - Yeah the limits and season is set by the Japanese.

Who normally sets fishing quotas and seasons?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

@arrestpaul

Who normally sets fishing quotas and seasons?

It doesn't even make sense that a country would set its own quota when there is an international government organization (IWC) that would set those quotas. Unfortunately, Japan has bribed half of the commission into supporting them.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

letsberealistic - From what I have read in Japanese media, whaling has only ever been "part of Japanese culture" in a small number of coastal communities, namely Wakayama, and only fairly recently (few hundred years),

So you're say that whaling has been a part of Japanese culture for hundreds of years.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

letsberealistic - People, watch Whale Wars and judge for yourselves Are these Sea Shepherd people experienced and trained terrorists out to hurt Japanese whalers? Far from it, after watching an episode you'll soon realise they are mostly, young, slightly naive but with hearts in the right place people who believe wild animals should not be killed for food or so-called "research".

People have watched whale wars and are seeing the eco-terrorist SS for what they are instead of what you would like people to think they are. Most of the people in the world don't care about whales one way or the other. It's only a small vocal minority who are supporting the use of violence to force their will on others.

No one would consider the eco-terrorist SS crews to be experienced OR trained. They would best be described as inept or incompetent. They've destroyed 2 of their own toy boats and destroyed at least 4 outboards on their little rubber dinghys.

It's the constant use of violence that makes the eco-terrorist SS eco-terrorists. They've been kicked out of the IWC and their registration has been refused by several nations because of their repeated acts of violence. The eco-terrorist Watson was kicked out of Greenpeace and arrested in Canada and had a ship seized because of his repeated acts of violence. They brag that they have sunk 10 vessels and rammed 4 Japanese whalers.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

SSCSforever - It doesn't even make sense that a country would set its own quota when there is an international government organization (IWC) that would set those quotas. Unfortunately, Japan has bribed half of the commission into supporting them.

So you're saying the IWC supports research whaling.

What are the rules of the IWC regarding whaling research quotas and seasons?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

SSCSforeverDec. 31, 2011 - 01:27PM JST It doesn't even make sense that a country would set its own quota when there is an international government >organization (IWC) that would set those quotas. Unfortunately, Japan has bribed half of the commission into >supporting them.

Japan sets its own regulation because IWC REGULATION VIII says they are to do it. In fact Japan is in full compliance with said Article. The IWC had a chance to revise this and set quotas but the hardcore antiwhaling fanatics like Australia wrecked that possibnility with their "not one whale must be killed" stupidity. As for bribing IWC members this is a tactic first employed by the Anti-Whaling faction, not any whaling country.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

letsberealisticDec. 31, 2011 - 02:04PM JST Okay, there is A LOT of verbal-diarrhoea. I've followed this story for a few years now and a few things are clear. Sea Shepard are aggressive in their tactics, true, but terrorists? I think we all need to go check the meaning of this >word in a dictionary before we go throwing it around.

Yes I agree. Strongly recommend you read this Non-whaling related site to understand just exactly who Seas Shepherd is and their background and relation to other eco-terrorist groups.

http://activistcash.com/organization_overview.cfm/o/347-sea-shepherd-conservation-society

"Though self-named a “Conservation Society,” Sea Shepherd is a violent organization. Its purpose is to ram and sink ships. Earth Warrior author David Morris details one such voyage in search of driftnetters. Even in this gushing account, Morris notes, “The gunfire that accompanied our attack on the Japanese ships was not defensive.” So it’s no surprise that Sea Shepherd’s expeditions have served as a fitting training ground for other animal-rights militants. Rodney Coronado has long been involved with criminal groups such as the Animal Liberation Front (ALF), which the FBI has identified as the country’s most dangerous domestic terrorist threat, and the special-interest ALF subset known as SHAC. He was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for the 1992 arson of a Michigan State University research laboratory. He admitted to at least six other arsons in a November 30, 2002 speech. In January 2003, he demonstrated to a group gathered at American University the “correct” way to build a firebomb out of household materials. And Paul Watson gave him his start. Coronado joined SSCS immediately after graduating from high school in 1984. Two years later, he proposed a plan to covertly attack Iceland’s whaling industry. He and David Howitt, a British bicycle mechanic, destroyed a whale-processing facility there, and sank two of the Icelandic whaling fleet’s four ships. Watson supported the plan and SSCS took responsibility for the destruction. In the mid-’90s, Coronado again wanted to join a SSCS expedition. But he was wanted for questioning by the FBI and Watson said no. Watson was regretful, however, calling him “an excellent crew member and the best damn activist I ever had.” These words give the lie to Watson’s claim that “we have absolutely no links with the so-called Animal Liberation Front.”

In 1977 the FBI referred to Sea Shepherd as an eco-terrorist organization:

"Since 1977, when disaffected members of the ecological preservation group Greenpeace formed the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and attacked commercial fishing operations by cutting drift nets, acts of "eco-terrorism" have occurred around the globe. The FBI defines eco-terrorism as the use or threatened use of violence of a criminal nature against innocent victims or property by an environmentally-oriented, subnational group for environmental-political reasons, or aimed at an audience beyond the target, often of a symbolic nature."

http://www.fbi.gov/news/testimony/the-threat-of-eco-terrorism

Hope this helps.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

letsberealisticDec. 31, 2011 - 02:10PM JST Oh, by the way; something many people, including Japanese, are a bit confused about whaling in Japan... From what I have read in Japanese media, whaling has only ever been "part of Japanese culture" in a small >number of coastal communities, namely Wakayama, and only fairly recently (few hundred years), and so not part of >Japanese culture as a whole. Ask those Japanese who are posting comments how many times they have eaten >whale meat - if ever in their lives.

Whaling as an activity has been done not just in Wakayama but even in places as large as Nagasaki. To claim that whaling is not part of Japanese culture because it was only done in coastal communties is like saying catching Lobsters is not part o Ameriucan culture because it is done only in New England coastal communities.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

letsberealistic - Yeah, whaling is as much a part of Japanese culture as Rocky Mountain oysters (buffalo testicles eaten in Montana) is a part of American culture.

Your "traditions" are your traditions NOT what someone else says they are. You don't get to decide what is a nations "tradition" and what is not. Rocky Mountain oysters can be testicles of cows, buffalo, pigs, lamb, and sheep and yes, frying them up and consuming them are considered a "tradition" in several area's of the U.S.. Are you claiming this isn't a "tradition"?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

So the truth doesn't really matter about this heritage issue, you just want all whaling stopped.

No, I want them to fish according to their heritage. With spears and harpoons in small boats off the coast of Japan, like their heritage dictates. And when they catch nothing, then will be the time for them to put on their big boy pants and take responsibility for overfishing their own waters.

Japan wants to be a big player in the UN yet wants to act like a spoiled child when it chooses to.

You can't have your cake and eat it too.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The Truth MattersJan. 01, 2011 - 04:06AM JST "So the truth doesn't really matter about this heritage issue, you just want all whaling stopped." No, I want them to fish according to their heritage. With spears and harpoons in small boats off the coast of Japan, >like their heritage dictates.

You have no idea what you are talking about., The Inuit people currently hunt whales and nobody is prepared to argue that whaliong isn't their tradiution or "heritage". But now they use outboard engines, high powered rifles and carry the whale meat on snowmobiles to the local supermarkets. The acivity is the heritage not he equipment.

And when they catch nothing, then will be the time for them to put on their big boy pants and take responsibility for >overfishing their own waters.

Whaling is not fishing. Even then, all nations fish in international waters.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The Truth Matters - No, I want them to fish according to their heritage.

And what are you willing to do to force YOUR opinion of what is right on people who don't agree with you?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The Truth Matters - It's silly to argue this is a cultural thing.

Good idea. So, how do you suppose the eco-terrorist SS, with their helicopter and new drone, managed to lose track of the whalers? Do you think it was an equipment malfunction or just a bunch of incompetents using them?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Readers, please stop going around in circles, repeating yourselves.

arrestpaul

Who normally sets fishing quotas and seasons?

Well not a group with a financially vested interest in the activity for one....

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Behold the Luddite solution

I want them to fish according to their heritage. With spears and harpoons in small boats off the coast of Japan, like their heritage dictates. And when they catch nothing, then will be the time for them to put on their big boy pants and take responsibility for overfishing their own waters.

Should they likewise go back to farming with wooden implements?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

unreconstructed,

Why would whalers farm? What a silly proposition. They are totally unsuited for farming. It would be like you being accountable for your actions. Clearly square peg in a round hole situation. I have no idea why you brought it up.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Okay, I've read the article, and all the comments.

Both sides in this discussion, with few exceptions, are silly.

If you do not like the practice of whaling, do not buy products from nations that allow it. A few billion a day in lost hard currency, tens of thousands in unemployment lines, cargo ships returning home full with unsold products, those make far more effective tools for change.

It is clear that ICR is engaged in commercial (for profit) whaling, even if they claim they earn no profits from it. They obviously pay their whaling fleet crews nicely, especially those at the very top. Not only that, ICR is engaged in so much whaling that 75% went unsold in 2011, and the government of Japan is so overstocked they can't even give the whale "specimens" away, having already saturated schools with what they could get rid of. Since 1988, the Japanese government has poured over US$150 million into propping up the last shreds of the whaling industry, under the guise of "scientific research," US$29 million for the 2012 "research" alone, that serious chunk of change meant for earthquake/tsunami relief and recovery.

I found it bizarre the suggestion that somehow, if whaling were only done in "traditional" ways, this would somehow justify it. Really? So, stripping forests of trees to build ten thousand wooden sailing ships hunting whales every year is okay, but one factory ship and a few harpoon ships killing just a thousand or so is somehow barbaric? Get real! The Inuit and other aboriginal peoples don't sell whale meat on the open market, they catch what they need to feed their families, they rarely catch more than they need. Geez, what environmentalists, can't even do the math to figure out the lesser between two evils, not that either is acceptable to me. I consider the hunting to extinction any species just plain stupid, the hunting of an intelligent species offensive.

So, to that end, I will stand by what I offered as a viable solution, one that in this economy is a very potent tool for change. Until no Japanese citizen is involved in any way with whaling for a period of not less than five years, I will not buy a single product manufactured by or for a Japanese corporation, business, or citizen.

See how simple that is? And I don't even have to buy a ship or recruit volunteers, though I intend to support the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society in whatever way I can. You see, if they were a terrorist organization, as was misstated above, Paul and his entire organization would be at Gitmo, not sailing the oceans trying to do what those too cowardly to stand up to the worst practices of for-profit business refuse to do. Every one of us within the US who donated to SSCS would likewise be sitting in some dark cell somewhere, without any rights, not even our citizenship.

Oh, and calling Paul Watson and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society terrorists? I read the reports cited above, and did not find any conclusions that such a direct claim was even made, whereas groups like ALF and ELF were named as terrorist groups. Had Paul Watson and his group actually been terrorists, they would have already been flown to Gitmo, where no one would ever have heard another word about them again. Every single financial donor or web site that showed even token support would have been arrested and charged for providing material support to terrorists. We've become a bit extreme, here in the US, about terrorism, something that began on a Tuesday morning in late 2001.

I take offense with those who are not terrorists being called terrorist by people with far more extreme views, especially those with stated views that run counter to their own self interests. One side of this debate is deliberately engaged in hunting a species into extinction, the other is trying to stop them.

And with this information I make my future purchase decisions, just that simply. See how easy that was?

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If you do not like the practice of whaling, do not buy products from nations that allow it....with this information I make my future purchase decisions, just that simply. See how easy that was?

Easy enough if you live on the other side of the world, perhaps. What's your advice to anti-whalers who live in Japan? We should starve rather than eat food grown in Japan?? Walk around naked rather than wear clothes retailed in Japan? Live in the open air rather than live in a house constructed in Japan? Refuse to use the electricity, gas, water, transport provided by Japanese companies? Refuse to shop in Japanese stores?

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