Whale War between Japanese hunters and Sea Shepherd to escalate

News item: Japan requests that Australia prevent the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society ship Steve Irwin from leaving port this December to harass its whalers in the Antarctic.

Reaction: Isn't a similar request made every year, to no avail? Japan may not like it, but Capt. Paul Watson and his ragtag band of whale-loving vegans will remain a proverbial thorn in Japan's side as long as it has funding and, thanks to the popularity of Animal Planet's "Whale Wars," there appears to be no shortage for next season's campaign.

And that Southern Ocean campaign, which will launch Dec. 1, figures to  resemble something out of this world, thanks to a swift new boat that looks like a space vessel, can travel at 40 knots and plow through waves and deflect harpoons.

The boat is named Earthrace and its New Zealand owner/skipper, Pete Bethune, told the Sydney Morning Herald he was lending his support because he can't stand the thought of whales being slaughtered in "my backyard."

When I talked to Watson recently he said he had something special up his sleeve and was planning a seasonlong, rather than partial campaign against Japan, which annually targets about 1,000 minke whales in what it claims is a research effort.

With the extra boat (Sea Shepherd plans on using three vessels for the campaign) the group does not have to worry about leaving the whalers on their own while returning to Australia for a lengthy refueling process. Of course, the escalation might be dangerous because Japan is weary of what it refers to as acts of piracy against its fleet.

At a recent International Whaling Commission meeting, Japanese delegation member Jun Yamashita said, "It can only be described as a miracle that there has been no death or large-scale accident to date."

Yamashita added: "We cannot tolerate such audacity. We ask for all appropriate measures, including a ban on the ship from leaving port, so that we can prevent these acts from being repeated."

In case you're wondering, a film crew from "Whale Wars" will be with Sea Shepherd shooting for Season Three of the series.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Earthrace, which is powered by biodiesel and can reach speeds of 40 knots and deflect harpoons, will be used in Sea Shepherd's campaign against Japanese whalers next season in the Antarctic. Credit: Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

Comments

[Ceekay]

I agree with Matt! Personally if i was on the boat.. i would be pissed off and would probably shoot some body.

[Matt]

STILL WAITING....

[Matt]

STILL WAITING............

[Matt]

I'm waiting for an intelligent response... THATS your cue to get your tail from between your legs and make a response... if there's no response it just goes to show how humiliatingly dumb you are..SO.....

[Matt]

And another thing, for all you IDIOT conservationists out there screaming that we need to save the whales... true, we do need to save this species... but putting a camera crew on a ship and interfering with a legit japanese whaling operating w/ men trying to support their family is the bleeping DUMBEST thing i've ever heard of... you think these people are just out there in the middle of the sea because they HATE whales and wanna see them EXTINCT? You're a MORON, and you CAN'T come up with ANYTHING logical to go against that... the sea is in trouble, it is, the coral reefs are dying and species of fish are going extinct, all true... but just because ANIMAL PLANET puts these shows on TV doesn't mean it's right to hate these japanese fleets... you have NO justification for plowing into a ship in the middle of the ocean and putting a crew's life in risk or putting a line infront a boat so the propelor gets stuck (even though they're mentally retarded and can never get it to work right).. anyone rooting for whale wars is simply a bleeping retard... you care about whales (great), but your brain literally is not evolved enough to understand that the men on these Japenese whaling fleets are doing their JOB... it's two different countries and two different cultures... so some dumb broad or some sensitive guy in the states doesn't have ANY clue what they're talking about... if anyone has anything logical to say (besides: oh we need to save these whales b/c we think there's less of them today), please rock my world and make some sense... but i doubt any of you clowns have anything remotely close to a concrete statement to make about this crap... like i said... it will be on FOX/CNN when one of these men trying to support a family takes out a shotgun (instead of 'dangerous' water hose) and shoots these people in the head... and even then... YOU'RE STILL WRONG!! get a life, these people aren't heroes, they are complete idiots who simply have funding by the ANIMAL PLANET.. you think that show is gonna have any common sense regarding a human trying to make a living?... i mean seriously they're slogan is "Animal Planet: Surprisingly Human".. you know what, it is a friggan miracle that anyone aboard the SEA SHEPHARD is considered a human.. i call them undeveloped Cro-Magnons... get a brain and get back to me, if you can think of anything clever to say back that is go ahead but i doubt you can... A FLEET OF JAPENESE WHALING SHIPS IS NOT THE PEOPLE TO GO AFTER IF YOU CARE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT AS MUCH AS YOU SAY YOU DO... i dare you, come up with a statement that makes sense and not just that you love whales (homer), becuase everyone does... but in today's world its all about providing for yourself and your family... and anyone that gets in the way of that should be shot in the head. period. let's go people make some friggan sense b/c all you people that posted before me are completely without part of a normal brain.

[Matt]

what losers these people are... throwing some sort of acid onboard a ship when these japanese fleets are just out fishing trying to make a living like everyone else...trying to leave lines infront of a ship so the propellor gets jammed... ya let's get people stranded at sea for no bleeping reason... these people are all idiots and one of these days they're gonna get a bullet in the head... you don't endanger a crew on a ship for too long without something bad happening... retards... if it was really illegal why are they the only ones out there looking like clowns... panties in a bunch.. other sea species are endangered as well... are they gonna try to stand lobster trawlers at sea next? like to see that... these people aren't heroes they act like they're risking their lives for a valiant and justified effort... they are simply retards. enough said

[Coleman]

Oh yeah and Anna, it is really refreshing to see someone post an intelligent and well thought out comment. I enjoyed reading yours. :)

[Coleman]

Okay. The Japanese are acting well within the law in whaling. Only commercial whaling is outlawed, not for whaling for research purposes. The Japanese have a legal limit on how many whales they can hunt annually. What the crew of the Sea Shepard is doing would definantley be considered as piracy or even terrorism. The Japanese have the right to protect their ships from these lunatics who use dangerous tactics to further their own views. It sickens me that these idiots are lauded as heroes for breaking the law. I also cannot understand why the Japanese take so much heat for killing whales for scientific research when Americans slaughter millions of cows, chickens, and other animals each year. I also cannot understand why people call the Japanese murderers for their whaling activities. They're whales. Not humans. Murder is the taking of HUMAN lifes. Whales may be one of the more intelligent mammals, but they are still only animals. While animals are cool, there is a fine line between killing an animal and killing a human. So those of you crackpots who love Whale Watchers, just know that you are supporting a group of pirates who try to gain fame by harassing workers of a legitimate profession. The only word to describe the actions of the whale watchers is this: criminal. And one more parting querry. A nation may respond to piracy and terrorism with lethal force. So the whale watchers should think twice before they attack another Japanese boat...

[Robin]

I have seen these shows a few times but for some reason when I watch what it appears to me to be amounts to the whale lovers basically acting as pirates from the past. I would admit that that being the case, I much prefer to see perhaps the Japanese armed and dangerous and capable of sinking a vessel interfering.......Amazing what a torpedo launcher and a few Phalanx Gatling guns could do to liven up the show. I mean I would take the whale lovers more serious if indeed they were dying all over the screen. Anyone can pick and pick and pick at someone IF there is no deadly response. Death would separate the serious from the boy scouts.

[Marina Moody]

I have one question, does anyone in japan care about the whales of the world or is the whole japanese race for the evil, shallow, murdering behavior of the small minded whale killers? It is apparent that the japanese do not care about any thing but them selves. The whale murderers of japan have single handedly wiped out any good that japan has to offer anyone or anything i will never buy anything japanese again and i hope that Karma KICKS JAPANS you know what!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SHAME ON JAPAN!!!!!!!!!!!

[tony]

I would like to join the steve irwin group.

[xiyuqiu]

I think the Aby Gil hits the japanese boat. Why? Aby Gil is much faster than the japanese boat. If the japanese want to hit Aby Gil, there is no way they can catch up with Aby Gil. But if Aby Gil wants to hit the japanese or stop in front the japanese, so the japanese has no time to avoid the collision, that is very easy. Aby Gil is faster. This is the logic.

[Anna]

I am 18 years old and I still see the hypocrisy in a lot of people'a arguments.

It just sounds like a bunch of Westerners pushing their own ideas of culture on a country they consider 'less civilized'.

"Eating something else" Really? That is coming from a truly closed minded person. It infuriates me to know that someone would even say that. Have some respect. Shame on you.

Japan is using the whaling for scientific research and for those who are saying they have nothing to show for it, look again. They did publish research (several times) showing how the change in environment (Global Warming) is decreasing the amount of blubber the whales have.

Also, has anyone even considered that whales are actually used in many countries as effective medicine for many things?

Anyone? Anyone? Probably not.

Has anyone ever considered that maybe America is doing some whaling too? They are part of IWC.

Under IWC rules, Japan is allowed to sell 1% of the meat they do get and it is strictly controlled by the government. What Japan is doing isn't illegal at all, but what the Sea Shepherd is doing is. They're not violent? Say that to the Japanese people who were injured by the Sea Shepherd's actions. Another thing is that only .2% of the population is being hunted. The critically endangered species are not hunted. And the so called 'endangered whales' they are hunting, actually grew in numbers in recent years.

Woops, how do we explain that?

Here is the Sea Shepherd's history of violence that I have condensed:
1980: Whaler vessel "Sierra" sinks in Lisbon Harbour due to Sea Shepherd's actions using limpet mines.
1981: Sinkns whaling vessels, Ibsa I and Ibsa II in the Spanish Harbour of Viga.
1986: Sea Shepherd activists shoot at Faroese police with a line rifle and try to sink their rubber dinghies.
1986: Sea Shepherd claims responsibility for the sinking of two whaling vessels in Reykjavik, Iceland, and for malicious damage to the whaling station not far from the town. The act was carried out by two US citizens, one of them, Rodney Corronado, is now wanted in the US for several incidents of serious animal rights terrorism.
1988: Paul Watson declared persona non grata in Iceland.
1991: Mr A. Ferreira, A US crew member on a Mexican fishing vessel, reports to his senator that Sea Shepherd rammed his vessel causing considerable damage. Some of Sea Shepherd’s crew were armed with rifles. No actions were filed.
1992: Sea Shepherd makes unsuccessful attempts at ramming three Costa Rican fishing vessels. In a written complaint to the local authorities the fishermen report that the Sea Shepherd crew shot at them with bullets containing a red substance, hitting two of them and causing them great pain.
1993: Paul Watson orders the crew on board the Sea Shepherd vessel “Edward Abbey” (formerly US Navy) to open cannon fire at a Japanese fishing vessel.

I would go on, but there's just too much. Even the IWC have called the Sea Shepherd's "terrorists" when the Sea Shepherd tried to justify their actions by saying they were enforcing IWC rules.

But I am a biased observer, I will admit that. I am half Japanese and half American. I am from a small fishing town and I know better then anyone else how whaling is done and the crimes that the Sea Shepherds have committed against my people.

I am both ashamed and horrified by what the Sea Shepherd is doing.

How can a human being do this to another human being just because they consider different things culturally important?

It is unfair and ignorant of us to criticize the actions of another when we are far from perfect. We slaughter millions and millions of chickens, cows and pigs and yet we think we can say "NO!" to people who consider a different animal food. We don't see India pointing at us and screaming "DON'T EAT THE COW!"

So before any of you think about saying such horrible things about the country I love so dearly, please understand, we are human beings too. We understand why you want us to stop, but please understand why we want to continue and respect that.

[Max Entropy]

So, how's that whaler ass taste?

It looks like they went all PT-109 with their fancy new toy.

The trustfund hippies have been attacking the Japanese for years with chemicals, lubricants, prop foulers, blinding lasers and illegal boardings and now the hippies cry when the Japanese fight back. Awwwww. :(

[Matt]

It's easy to criticize direct action from behind a computer. 'They should do this! They should do that!' Give them some credit that they have done, and are doing, all of these other tactics.
Go Sea Shepherd.

[Trixie nee Scud]

In rebuttal to Steve B: I am not going to (by implication) debate saving human lives over the lives of whales because this forum is not about saving human lives. The US has several wonderful animal welfare organizations that continue to work tirelessly to give farm animals a better quality of life and a more humane method of slaughter. President Barack Obama and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack, recently closed a regulatory loophole and adopted a strict policy preventing all downed cattle (animals too sick or injured to stand) from entering the human food supply. It isn’t enough because every farm animal should be protected from the abuse of slaughterhouses, but it is a beginning and it has been long in the waiting for those of us who ask for humane treatment for all farm animals. However, accusing ONLY the US and Australia of having microcosmic views regarding the Japanese whaling industry would make sense were there NOT a WORLDWIDE BAN on whaling. The Japanese hunt whales by using a loophole and to add further insult to injury, they hunt in a PROTECTED whale sanctuary!

I’ve been to animal slaughterhouses and what I saw made me sick. However, it is unrealistic to expect everyone in the world to become vegetarians. Since you posted a link and I checked it out, why don’t you look at http://www.animalsvoice.com/edits/editorial/news/comment/whales_scream.html?

There is no way to humanely kill a whale and I am so sick of the Japanese using the ‘research loophole’ as a means to support their whaling activities. Open your eyes to what the Japanese are attempting to do. They are trying to spin whaling into a cultural right while violating a worldwide ban on whaling in the name of ‘research’ because the ‘research’ lie is becoming transparent to millions of “intelligent, thinking people.” The Japanese are simply taking what they want - period. The Japanese are among the biggest importers of horsemeat and this is a brutal industry. I’m just so sick of them eating whatever they want, no matter what the cost.

The dishonesty displayed by the Japanese is true hypocrisy and before you accuse others of ‘lashing out,’ you might want to rethink the manner in which you have addressed the SSCS’ supporters. Your post is derogatory in nature and your arrogance is intolerable. If you want to stop feeling so guilty, go vegan and send every dime you have to the March of Dimes (not putting the March of Dimes down in any way), but don’t try and lash out at people who are actively involved in trying to right a wrong. Paul Watson isn’t sitting in an armchair, wringing his hands and feeling guilty because whales are dying. He is on the front lines defending a cause he and millions of people believe in. Go Sea Shepherds!

[mark mann]

Anyone know how much a salary Paul Waston draws?

[Steve B]

A majority of the population everywhere still eats meat. I do. I support the antiwhaling operations if the species is being threatened. However, we are fools if we believe that stopping the Japanese from hunting whales is ok when millions of cattle, sheep, and other animals killed for human consumption is somehow different. It is very hypocritical and should be obvious to intelligent, thinking people. Just because 'save the whales' is a popular belief in the US and Australia it doesn't mean you can ignore the fact that the majority of citizens in these countries support mass slaughter of millions of animals each year by their consumptive habits. I am one of the many and I am conscious of it.

Think about all of the money spent on saving whales. What if that money could be spent on saving human lives? Take a look at this link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_causes_of_death_by_rate#Developed_vs._developing_economies

I feel guilt in my everyday, selfish, US citizen lifestyle for lots of things. However, I see the hypocrisy in the extreme at certain times. Whether watching an 8mpg US SUV cruise down the street or seeing a whale wars episode.

Take a look at yourself first before you lash out at others.

[Mike]

Good. Go on Sea Shepherds. Arrogant Japanese government will support their whalers until they hunt every whale on the Earth into extinction just to prove a point.

[Trixie nee Scud]

Hey Krista! I’m unable to find and negative connection between PETA and the Sea Shepherds and in, what I think is very humorous phrasing, PETA targets Jessica Simpson by stating “PETA Goes All Sea Shepherd Up On Jessica Simpson.” I would like to see this bit of clever wording used whenever possible – it could catch on! PETA also has a link under “Do you love Whale Wars?” and they seem to be very much in support of the Sea Shepherds. I am in complete agreement with everything your wrote and was prepared to send PETA a grumpy email had I found anything negative on their web site.

Check it out from Wicki: “As of July 2009, new regulations approved by the United Nations International Maritime Organisation will make the annual operations of the Nisshin Maru more difficult. The IMO has banned heavy fuel use in Antarctic waters, has increased safety requirements such as compulsory enclosed lifeboats and a double-hull requirement for ships operating in polar waters and has developed guidelines that discourage "operational discharges" such as offal.”

It’s a small concession, but I’ll take every bit of progress we can get!

Awwww WhalesRYummy, seems like you’re missing your old digs. Missin’ the stretch from bending over and holding your ankles? Not to worry, given your ugly attitude, I’m sure you will be behind bars again very soon!

[WhalesRYummy]

The She-Sheperds deserve Government support alright. Its called three hots and a cot behind a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.

I love the quote "Earthrace, which is powered by biodiesel and can reach speeds of 40 knots and "deflect harpoons!". Did they actually test this, or is this going to be another on the training video for OSHA.

I can't wait to watch the Japanese run this thing up the slip way with a harpoon stuck in it!;)

[Dominic Presutto]

Once again money trumps common sense. I don't believe the Japanese use the whales for research or they would put out press releases with the exact kind and use of the research. Probably just what they have to say to continue slaughtering the most majestic and beautiful marine mammal in the sea . Governments tend to turn a blind eye to things like this in exchange for something else . Its a shame Steve Irwin doesn't get more government support.
Thank you Animal Planet For bringing this travesty to the public's eye .

[Tom Jones]

"
Poachers don't get to complain. If they were in Africa, the Japanese poachers would be shot dead on site. They're lucky Captain Watson is committed to non-violence.

Posted by: Harrt | June 30, 2009 at 09:02 PM"
In one episode Watson claims to have shot elephant poachers and him and some other crew members share a laugh about it.

[Krista Smith]

The Japanese have no room to talk. They hide behind a research shield to hunt Whales for food and products. 900+ Whales are not needed to for research, that's obviously for food and product purposes. The quota for Whaling needs to be set to a specific number for all. 100-200 Whales is plenty for research. Sure it doesn't stop the Whale hunting, but it keeps them from hunting 900+. And better yet, the Japanese can't say anything about it, since their quota's are for "research" anyways. Giving the countries permission to set their own quota was a mistake, it needs to be corrected. The Japanese need to learn that they will not win this war. They are illegally hunting Whales and they know it, so they are twisting the system to stop people from stopping them. If the government actually keeps the Irwin from leaving port this upcoming season-long campaign, they will have a full uprising on their hands. Everyone knows that the Japanese are doing illegal hunting, but the governments aren't doing anything about it. So a group of activists have decided to take it into their own hands, trying to stop the Japanese from Whaling. All animal activists need to help them, PETA for one, needs to get out of their little hypocritical activities and get on these people, support the Irwin and stop real animal killers. I support the Irwin, and I always will. Good luck guys, I will be watching.

[Lori Stevens-Hogue]

"Posted by: Derp | July 01, 2009 at 07:33 AM: What the Japanese are doing isn't illegal. The boats are basically terrorizing people trying to make a living. Borderline if not on target terrorism and piracy. The boats should be scrapped and the crews arrested"

Gee "Derp", do you work for Japenese whalers (i.e. eco-terrorists)??? Sounds like you do. These businessmen are poaching in a PROTECTED MARINE SANCTUARY. What part of "PROTECTED" do you NOT understand "Derp"??? Gee - if the Japenese suddenly feel like bear, elk, eagle or deer meat, do you think they have a right to start poaching in the Rocky Mountain National Park, Yosemite, Yellowstone, or Kings Canyon Sequoia? After all, they are only trying to make a living, right?!!!

The wheels of justice & Karma grind slowly but they grind FINELY...these Japanese butchers will be taken care of sooner than later...in the meantime the Sea Shepherds have my financial support - yes, my donations help them leave port EVERY YEAR. Be sure to watch the movie: "The Cove" about the Japenese slaughter of so many dolphins that the water of the 'cove' turns bright blood red - disgusting what these people do in the name of money, 'culture' and 'heritage'. While you're at it, be sure to read: "The Rape of Nanking" as well. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME...