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Activists convert ex-Tokyo gov't vessel for anti-whaling campaign

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© 2012 AFP

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The eco-morons are at it again.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

I guess I don't understand why the origins of the ship are that important. Yeah, there's irony, but newsworthy? Nope.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

New ship, old mission, same kill em all mentality...Why doesnt Japan whaler's get it?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

not all the disaster are natural or cause of climate change ,,the other are kind of funishment like,,,huricane katrina ,,sandy,,and pablo in phillipinesalso here in italy the earhquake that is not a natural disaster that is a funishment created of pulsar sun and aurora ,,all things here in our planet are gravity is always invovle or always cause and this are needs of balancing of inviroment ocean activity of human and animal and the toxic material used of the human,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,like now our planet are have a too much impact and the revolment are discorrect thats why many human are aggressive causes of radiation came from pulsar and sun this is the causes of human

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

that is the mistake of japan a wrong treatment of the ocean,,,,because like now,,, our planet are lack of gravity and we are close to the sun,,,,,,killing of big fish may increase the volume of small fish,,,,the food of the small fish is the coral and sea weeds ,if this plant are dying or lost the supply of oil and gas to the vulcano will stop and if the vulcano under the ocean are stopping all the lava are collapse instead to expand if the vulcano is alive,,,,,,if the vulcano in the land are activated causes of soutting of fire of the sun plust too much mineral of the land the cause are too much explotion of vulcano in the land and the died pats of land in the ocean will collapse the result are tsunami,,,, the vulcano needs always balance to protect to the calamity treatening better the ocean may reduce the typhoon because coral reef is the arrester of a black hole came from vulcano,,,if this black hole are escaping and goes into the space this hot gravity are starting to searching a cold gravity and if this have found this two are creating a colliding or spinning because hot gravity want to attract to cold gravity and the result are typhoon or tornado,,,,,, tto keep the escaping of this mini black hole need to put a life as a guard or police,,and that is a coral and sea weeds,,,, if that is complete and working if the land are have a little amount of shake or the vulcano are sputting a lava we need to reduce the supply by using of removing of big fish,,,,,,this is the right procedure how to protect the land and ocean,,,,,, i try to teach the pilipino but its not working many are contry and always sleep dont want to work money are only needs

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

So I guess they need a even better ship.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Ya know, I understand the reasoning of being against Dolphin hunting, most Japanese do to. And I'm not sure why there are those who oppose Whale hunting either, is it because they don't belive people should hunt and eat whales, or, because of the way the Japanese seem to be presenting their expeditions like research? If it is for the protesting of consumption of whale, only on this must I say, we should let the Japanese do what they like with the meat for goodness sake, Whale meat is delicious! I always has been, and if you would have tried it you would know. let alone parts of a peoples culture, when it does not endanger them, and whale certainly does not. Dolphins? That's different, It is very unhealthy, and should be stopped I think, but on their own terms, not a different countries. Peace.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Back on topic please.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Thomas AndersonDec. 11, 2012 - 07:49PM JST

You know it's interesting... because Japan used to ban animal slaughter prior to the 19th century.

You actually proved my point about "animal ethics" or any form of ethics being irrelevant!

And actually the "no meat" thing is more complicated, and basically meant no 4 legged animals. Whales were actually perfectly acceptable, since they were considered fish.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

I have seen various figures, but with reconditioned engines enabling her to reach design spec again, then... 12.9 knots under full power?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Oh, and she has had an engine upgrade, apparently.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Thanks for the info, USNinJapan2. Still a nice boat to have though.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

nandakandamanda

One big boost they will have is the ability to look down on the whaling ships. Those three towers will give them the advantage of height in their water hose and flare/acid flinging battles.

Sorry. The whalers are still larger and taller than this vessel and, with more powerful powerplants, are much faster. This ship at max speed will barely be able to keep up with the factory ship's (Nisshin Maru's) cruising speed and at best will only be useful in harassing her when she's stationary.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Here's a list of things Sea Shepherd need for the "Sam Simon". Who's going to chip in with the 50" TV (with USB, please) , "gift vouchers for electronics" and the "hard drives filled with movies, television shows and music"? (I'm guessing pirated music would be OK).

http://www.seashepherd.org/support-us/sam-simon-wish-list.html

3 ( +5 / -2 )

because that is strictly an European train of thought (not applicable to most asian cultures)

You know it's interesting... because Japan used to ban animal slaughter prior to the 19th century. So if Japan brings up the "culture" or "tradition" argument... then they are already contradicting themselves.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

Thomas AndersonDec. 11, 2012 - 06:37PM JST

It's called animal ethics .

What type of ethics? Certainly not virtue ethics, because that is strictly an European train of thought (not applicable to most asian cultures), and very likely not utilitarian ethics because the greatest happiness comes from sustainable hunting, not from absolute protection.

Ethics, like morals, are a fuzzy set of ideas that keep changing throughout history. The only thing that actually matters is if something is currently illegal or not. In this case, Japan and Norway ride a very fuzzy line, but are not doing anything illegal. You can blame them all you want later, assuming the population actually declines (which it has not since the 1980s), but for now they are in the right and sea shepard is in the wrong.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

One big boost they will have is the ability to look down on the whaling ships. Those three towers will give them the advantage of height in their water hose and flare/acid flinging battles.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Not sure. While killing large whales (the most endangered ones) is certainly a horrible thing, minke whales associated with this article have never really been an issue since their pre-exploitation numbers and present day numbers aren't too different.

It's called animal ethics basroil.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

JaneMDec. 11, 2012 - 04:58PM JST

As at present Japan is not doing anything prohibited by international law (it keeps within the limits established by the IWC) I wonder who is the criminal according to said law – Japan or SS?

100% Sea Shepard, which uses pirate like tactics and even flies a Jolly Rodger.

The minke whale population is not affected by a loss of 500 per year when the population was above 300k and growing. They are however greatly affected by the mass killing of krill by Sea Shepard's older ships that spewed toxic chemicals (from their fuel and lube).

-3 ( +8 / -11 )

So it was a research vessel, was the harpoon included?

2 ( +6 / -4 )

JaneM: "If there is a problem, it is the fact that there is a loophole allowing these activities."

Yeah, because there is no guilt for those who exploit loopholes, right? The Japanese follow the same kind of logic -- "Not our fault, we are the victims!" -- until it's exposed it IS their fault... then they fall back on the 'attack on our traditional culture (of scientific whaling in diesel ships in the Southern Ocean)!".

-6 ( +7 / -13 )

Nice! Question, though -- did they get money from the government diverted from local disasters to aid them, or is that only a Japanese thing?

In any case, go get 'em!

-6 ( +7 / -13 )

nandakandamandaDec. 11, 2012 - 04:12PM JST BTW This thing burns in one cruise 200 tons of what, heavy fuel oil?

Precisely my thoughts... so much for an eco movement.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

As someone pointed out earlier, the problem does not lie with Japan. If there is a problem, it is the fact that there is a loophole allowing these activities. As at present Japan is not doing anything prohibited by international law (it keeps within the limits established by the IWC) I wonder who is the criminal according to said law – Japan or SS?

-6 ( +7 / -13 )

Nothing that a well-aimed torpedo couldn't solve, plus a second for the Steve Irwin.

-5 ( +7 / -12 )

As much as I support them, SS members can be a bit too serious. This is proof beyond doubt that Sea Shepherd does have a sense of humour after all. Nice one!

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Haha! How ridiculous. "Oh no! They have one of our boats!" "Errm, oh no..Quick! Load the harpoon theres another one surfacing!". Children, please. And in response to.."So what if you wake up in a whale less morning tomorrow." Haha! How ridiculous.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

Seems the ship was sold by the government under DPJ's budget screening initiative led by Renho. Ironic how the funds will serve as Japan's revenue needed to support the scientific research activities.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

hmmm, one 2-million dollar ship, 3 other ships, a helicopter, 100 strong crew and, of course, the TV cameras...just think how absolutely gutted they'd all be if Japan abandoned the hunt this year.

-5 ( +7 / -12 )

BTW This thing burns in one cruise 200 tons of what, heavy fuel oil?

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Wrong. Those doing the whaling simply do not care. It is good however that they have a strong ship that can keep up with the whalers.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

I knew someone who once drove a Japanese car. Reliable it was, she said. Just the fact of the former scientific observation vessel being Japanese doesn't necessarily mean anything.

Maybe this new ship will give them added visibility, more protection, more speed, more endurance and more comfort. Sounds like a cool ship.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

NeoGamal,

I thought the message that has been conveyed has been fairly clear now for several years. Though it seems that the Japanese and their filthy Eco terrorist whalers seem a little slow in catching on... But they are slowly getting there.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

This is the funniest story ever! How red-faced is the J-Govt looking now! The eco-terrorist whalers are going to be filthy when they see their old ice-breaker on the high seas whilst they are attempting to hunt...errr...research whales. Seriously, you couldn't make up this story!

3 ( +8 / -5 )

We bother because a certain nation (insert Japan here) still hasn't got the message that's why we bother.

what was the message again?

3 ( +8 / -5 )

“It’s interesting that it was actually a real research ship, whereas we feel that Japan is not doing any significant research down in Antarctica. We actually own a real Japanese research ship. I guess it’s ironic in that sense.”

He is actually spot on there. How ironic that the only research that will happen there is SS researching the activities of the whalers.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

I do wish them luck in their info campaigns and ability to grab media attention. I think that makes the bigger difference in the long run. I thought some of their info-ventures were pretty good ideas.

As far as these ships, if they start lobbing jars of rancid blubber/acid at people on ships...I hope one of them gets water-cannoned off the deck.

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

So what if you wake up in a whale less morning tomorrow. How will your life change?

-20 ( +3 / -23 )

'Japan kills hundreds of whales under a loophole in in the IWC' - so, in other words, Japan isn't doing anything wrong. Why is nobody protesting in front of the IWC? Isn't that where the whole problems stems from? I only hope that this ship will remain unharmed!

8 ( +13 / -5 )

meandmybigmouth

Why do we even bother about this anymore?

We bother because a certain nation (insert Japan here) still hasn't got the message that's why we bother.

-2 ( +10 / -12 )

meandmybigmouthDec. 11, 2012 - 01:33PM JST

Why do we even bother about this anymore?

Not sure. While killing large whales (the most endangered ones) is certainly a horrible thing, minke whales associated with this article have never really been an issue since their pre-exploitation numbers and present day numbers aren't too different. They certainly aren't overpopulated (http://www.iwcoffice.org/estimate, http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/minke-whaling.html ) but thanks to very fast sexual maturity (3-8 years, with life span of 50 years) and shorter reproductive cycle than most large mammals (10-11 month gestation and 14 month calf cycle, not that much longer than humans despite having a 2.5m calf), the numbers haven't fluctuated too much.

-12 ( +7 / -19 )

Fitting that a former whaling vessel be used to drive the final nail into the coffin of Japanese commercial whaling. Good riddance.

5 ( +15 / -10 )

“It’s interesting that it was actually a real research ship, whereas we feel that Japan is not doing any significant research down in Antarctica. We actually own a real Japanese research ship. I guess it’s ironic in that sense.”

Similarly, if one buys a Formula 1 race car for use to travel to work and back, it is ironic, because you really never felt that going around in circles 500 times constitutes driving. Because using a race car to not race really...shows how...the other guys aren't racing..?

No, never mind. That's not irony. That's stupidity.

Irony is when the actual result or situation is incongruous with the elements that would logically produce an expected result. For instance, a ship that was made for peaceful research being turned into a pirate ship.

-10 ( +6 / -16 )

Why do we even bother about this anymore?

-8 ( +8 / -16 )

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