Whale war between Japan and Sea Shepherd becomes increasingly confrontational

The war over killing whales between Japan and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, is turning increasingly violent, with the latter group acting as aggressor.

Click on this link and check out the latest video posted on Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research website. It shows the Steve Irwin and its crew of activists colliding with a whaling vessel, causing it to list, as a Japanese crewman yells and as water canons cascade.

This is occurring in the Ross Sea, a remote Antarctic region, so if a boat begins to sink or someone gets injured, help is a long way off. I'm against commercial whaling and am among a large number of people worldwide who question whether Japan's so-called research effort is worthwhile or necessary.

But judging from the video, Capt. Paul Watson is exercising questionable behavior in his attempt to disrupt the whaling effort. It leaves one to wonder whether his actions are truly on behalf of the whales, or merely to obtain dramatic footage for the Animal Planet series, "Whale Wars."

-- Pete Thomas

Photos: Sea Shepherd's Steve Irwin collides with the stern of a Japanese harpoon whaling ship in the Antarctic (top). In second photo, videographer Jamie Holland braces for an evasive maneuver aboard an inflatable boat as a Japanese whaling ship bears down. Credit: Sea Shepherd

Comments

[Dmitry from New Zealand]

What you don't see on this video is military grade Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) used on Steve Irwin, which causes dizziness and disorientation. Don't post links just to the Japanese propaganda site, post links to the opposing side as well ( http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/news-090206-1.html ). If you drive your car and somebody beats you on the head, and as the result you swerve - I'd say you have a perfect excuse.
The "scientific research" of Japan is so utterly fake, indefensible, despicable, revolting and barbaric, it actually makes actions of Sea Shepherd appear quite legitimate.

[Victoria Guzman]

I think it's great what the Steve Irwin ship is doing....someone has to do something and it sometimes takes drastic behavior to change things...It is gross what the Japanese are doing ...To be honest its Evil! ...GO STEVE IRWIN CREW GOOOOO!

[Andre from Sacto]

"It leaves one to wonder whether his actions are truly on behalf of the whales, or merely to obtain dramatic footage for the Animal Planet series, "Whale Wars."

Have you not read up on SSCS history? Paul Watson was doing this way before it became cool. He has announced repeatedly that the SSCS intentions are to SHUT DOWN JAPANESE WHALING! Not to watch whales being killed by poachers. The fact that Japan kicked open a commercial whaling loophole may make it legal but not morally right. The fact that the SSCS uses provocative tactics to shut down the poachers may not always be legal but it is morally right. To sit on the sidelines and watch these poachers go about their business is immoral. Thus, the Australian government (that campaigned and got elected on the promise to stop Japanese whaling only to renege), the New Zealand government, the US, the IWC, and Greenpeace are all complicit.

If one wants to succeed in doing the dramatic, such as saving species from extinction from commercial interest, then dramatic actions must be taken.

[Peter Fisher]

If we were able to even offer the possibility of boycotting the products of Japanese companys, whaling would stop in a day

[Tornadoes28]

The Sea Shepherd idiots are eco-terrorists. They chose to risk human lives in order to save whales. What sickos.

[Tyler]

Keep it up, Steve Irwin crew! I admire your courage and moral convictions in this battle against unlawful whaling practices.

[Ken]

I thank Irwin for taking a moral stand against the Japanese whaling industry. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has my full support.

[pete]

Captain oh my Captain you I serve,for you I raise cash to keep you aat sea,hit them fast, hit them hard, never surrender never forgive.

[Bob Smith]

Pete,
You must be new on the block judging by the comment you made "Capt. Paul Watson is exercising questionable behavior in his attempt to disrupt the whaling effort. It leaves one to wonder whether his actions are truly on behalf of the whales, or merely to obtain dramatic footage for the Animal Planet series, "Whale Wars."" reveals your profound ignorance of Sea Shepherd.
Before you make foolish comments, why don't you educate yourself by reading his many publications and find out more about Sea Shepherd and his role in founding Greenpeace?

[Robert-Toronto]

The " Eco-terrorist" label is getting really boring. This corporate rape of planet Earth has to stop at any cost. The problem with humans is that they always put themselves above everything including nature itself wich doesn't make much sense now does it

[Pete Thomas]

Bob Smith: I know all about Watson and admire his convictions, but I was referring to this specific incident. It seemed excessively risky and I know the first run of "Whale Wars" lacked any such drama. I just thought I'd throw that out there. If you'll read past Outposts items on the subject you'll see I'm not an enemy of Sea Shepherd.

[Chris]

No matter what side of the issue one stands on, to risk the lives of mariners in this fashion and who were far from any help should the vessel had been damaged was irresponsible. If the idea is to save the lives of whales, then are human lives deemed less valuable by those who condone this action? One wonders...

[Larry Morgan]

While I agree with the captains cause, his actions are over the line. The striking of the ship may have caused numerous deaths, had the ship's hull was breeched. The japanese whalers will start arming themselves with heavy weaponry and start taking out these idiots. If you ask me they have every right too.

[Paul]

Finally an article that calls BS on this group of eco-terrorists who blindly follow the self-important Paul Watson into criminal behavior. It's sad, because Paul was truly a pioneer of a noble cause, but as his former Greenpeace colleagues will attest, his foolish tactics have only served to alienate former supporters and the general public.

[Bob Smith]

Pete,
Your candor is much appreciated and thanks for your clarification. Paul Watson's motives are straight forward and unyielding. He and his crew are, in fact, willing to die for the lives of whales regardless of Animal Planet or no Animal Planet.

[Katie Glen]

Eco-terrorists???? If Geenpeace are one type of environmental advocate - then surly Capt Watson and his crew is another. The core issue is that Japan refuses to stop whaling - any meaningful place Japanese whale research has is lost by their methods. The economic hijacking of IWC by the Japanese is dispicable - the Japanese tenacity to continue whaling reminds me of their role in WW II. There is a place for Capt Watson and the crew of the Sea Shepherd - a proclaimation that has nothing to do with documentaries or such like.

[Larry]

The Japanese ought to unleash a Hell Fire Missle into the bridge of the Steve Irwin and put the fat skipper out of commission. Then skin his greasy carcass, boil it down and run it through it's boilers. Ought to make a nice greasey stain on the horizon. THat would make good television!

[Chris]

Not only are the whalers using LRAD, but they are also throwing metal at the SSCS crew. If the Steve Irwin crew did that, they'd get nailed to the wall for it. Yet the whalers deny throwing things at them, so it must not be true?

Eating whale meat is a dying "tradition" in Japan, yet the older generation wants to keep it going while the younger ones don't. So why not stop? The IWC and their respective governments need to step up and enforce the laws. If they did that, then the SSCS could focus on trying to help fix other problems that man has created in our oceans.

[Donovan Teal]

What the Japanese are doing in the SOuthern Ocean is terrible. When their oil tanker they use to refuel the death fleet finally sinks, and the world loses the unspoilt treasure that is Antarctica it will be too late for Sea Shepherd to save the place.
The Japanese need to be stopped and stopped NOW!

As a side note the whaling issue is a smokescreen/stall point.
The Japanese are afraid that there will be regulation of Japanese Krill and tuna fishing in the Southern Ocean IF they let the whaling be shut down. Its captured in statements like "If we end whaling whats NEXT?"

Luckily even the most pro-whaling Japanese are starting to doubt Japans whaling operations.

**While insisting that the activity is legal and justified, Taniguchi said in his article there is no need for Japan to continue a program that is not profitable, that undermines its image and makes enemies of its closest allies.**

[Laymond]

Sea Shepherd is absolutely TERRORIST.
In 1986, after sinking of the Iceland whaling vessels, Sea Shepherd lost its status as observer at the IWC.
In 1994, IWC declared to Norwegian Agency that the IWC and all nations ardently condemn the acts of Sea Shepherd as TERRORISM.
It is without saying terrorism cannot be admitted at any circumstances.

[Jing May]

Decent people understand that so-called "whale wars" is a new, justified kind of racism. Any belief can be jusitified depending on what you take as a base of thought. It is very easy to cover your inward racism with the appearance of scientific appropriateness, or even "humanistic" "moral." Everyone should just look into himself.

[n.f]

I opposes any attack to a lawful whale fishing to the seed about which
it is not worried that it exterminates. Man of the anti-whale fishing must explain why do you think you can do such stupid doing.

[Sanat (Raymond.G.Oliver)]

The Truth of the matter here is that Japan is exploiting a loophole to continue Commercial Whaling --- There is no such thing as Scientific Whaling . They have also broken every convention concerning the Antarctic by Refuelling down there - Using LRAD Sound Weapons and exploiting the Cities Convention.
Capt Watson and Sea Shepherd are the only ones with enough Guts to try to save our whales from extinction and horrible deaths. Where are our Gutless Governments ??? Nowhere to be seen!!!!!!
What does the IWC do ??? Nothing!!!!!!!
This year I built and Donated a New Navigation Computer to Sea Shepherd for their Ship the Steve Irwin -- Next year I am volunteering for the Mission to Antarctica ---- I intend to fully do my part to save Whales from extinction.
What do you intend to do as a Citizen of our Planet to save our environment ????? Will you be part of the Problem or part of the Solution????
How much Guts and Fortitude do you have to stop Criminal Organisations from Exploiting and Killing Life in Our Oceans ??????
It's time for action !!!!!!!!!!! Wake Up !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jonathan]

"I'm against commercial whaling and am among a large number of people worldwide who question whether Japan's so-called research effort is worthwhile or necessary."

So what have you done about it? It's all well and good to say you are against something, but unless you have the courage to stop what you are "against" your disapproval means nothing. There were many who were personally against the lynchings of blacks in my southern state, but only a few "humanitarian terrorists" who were able to stand up against those who did it.

[whale]

a destorted sence of justice.
it looks like the terrorists mentarity. " we have the right to kill the enemy because they are wrong!!!" scary!