Anti-whalers return to Australia claiming victory over Japan

He (Watson) is wanted after skipping bail in Germany where he was arrested on Costa Rican charges relating to a high-seas confrontation over shark finning in 2002.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus indicated that Watson would not be arrested if he came to Australia. "The Australian government does not provide assurances whether a person will be subject to extradition proceedings either now or during the future," he said without saying whether Canberra has received an extradition request. "But as I have made clear, a person cannot be extradited from Australia in the absence of an Australian warrant and the approval of the Australian government. That said, I can confirm that Mr Watson is not subject to any arrest warrant in any Australian government juristication."

Watson is wanted in Costa Rica. If arrested, Watson would be extradited to Costa Rica.

The AG is saying there is no current warrant for Watson's arrest in Australia. That could change at any time.

Germany isn't going to waste their time and effort extraditing a bail jumper who would then be extradited to Costa Rica. Watson has already forfeited his bail money to the German court. Cha-ching, easy money for Germany.

Readers, the word "racism" has no part in this discussion.

Norway catches about 500 whales/year but I have not heard of any SS members going after them ever.

Why is it okay for them to catch whales but not Japan ?

It isn't. And not only Norway.

http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1992/American-Environmentalist-Group-Sabotages-Whaling-Ship/id-7c1bb14ad4d73e0ae3c0ded6b4e3d6bb

http://www.seashepherd.org/whales/sea-shepherd-history.html

@marcelito

"Why play the racism card?"

Because Norway catches about 500 whales/year but I have not heard of any SS members going after them ever.

Why is it okay for them to catch whales but not Japan ?

I would love to hear any legitimate reasons.

Why play the racism card?

I understand the concern of many people about the endangered whales. Yet, Japan hunts minke whales which are not endangered and the quotas are limited so that they will not endanger the species. Unfortunately, this fact is forgotten or overlooked by most people here. Watson is a criminal on the run; he has endangered and continues to endanger human lives ate sea, yet many people here keep supporting him???

Many commentors find that it is only Japan at fault but never mention anything about the other whale-hunting nations. It has been discussed many times here at JT and it is written black on white in legal documents that it is the SS who are the criminals and not the Japanese. Japan is legally allowed to hunt whales for research and then use the meet, not just dispose of it.

Whale meet is still cosidered a delicacy in Japan and many people go to restaurants that serve whale to eat the meat throughout the year. From what I have experienced in Japan, in winter and early spring, whale is sold in department stores in small quantities at very high prices - unlike other meet and fish, the meet is never discounted even just before closing time, which means that it sells well though in small quantities.

So it is quite understandable why many comments sound racist or show some sense of cultural superiority to part of the readers of JT.

Funny how you guys don't care about Icelanders and Norwegians catching whales, oh i forget, they are mainly white country. Sorry we are mainly Asians and we are supposed to say yes to anything white people say.

Haha. You forgot the part about the Icelanders and Norwegians not putting up with illegal assault and damage. SS know not to try any funny business with them.

Japan is an easy target for a lot of things, by people who just have to ram through their cultural set.

I'm so tired of hearing about this conflict over and over every year. Both sides are being dangerous and stupid and opaque. Enough, all of you.

@wtfjapan

"ill keep donating cash to SS if it keeps the whalers catching there quota. LOL GO! SS MORE PAIN COMING NEXT YEARa"

Good. You just gave me another reason to keep eating whale meat LOL. SS can stop only a few whaling boats. Let's continue the fight. I never cared nor supported whaling but SS made me realize that we need to keep this tradition in Japan.

Funny how you guys don't care about Icelanders and Norwegians catching whales, oh i forget, they are mainly white country. Sorry we are mainly Asians and we are supposed to say yes to anything white people say.

I sincerely apologize for not being white :)

even if watson is arrested it wont stop SS, theyll just get more support and come back bigger and better. LOL

@ hide sukuki yes and ill keep donating cash to SS if it keeps the whalers catching there quota. LOL GO! SS MORE PAIN COMING NEXT YEAR!!

@ineedboots "stupid whales" you sound like a child sulking in the corner! whats the matter SS stole your toy? dont worry theyll be back next year with more! LOL

ka_chanMar. 21, 2013 - 06:13AM JST Interesting that Australia got fed up enough with Japan that the courts actually declared the Japanese fleet as illegal. >So if the Japanese fleet are in the southern waters, will the Australian navy seize the boats as Japan does to the >Chinese fishing boats. The hate index for Japan seems to be rising in many parts of the world.

No because the Japanese research whaling fleet is operating in International Waters. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority would put a stop to it if they were in Australian territorial waters, or in the Australian EEZ, the only places were Australian law can be applied. There is no comparison to the Chinese fishing boats (poachers) that seem to regularly fish (or worse take coral) in the territorial or EEZ waters of other countries. The only rising global hate is for China. By everyone.

Kimokekahuna HawaiiMar. 21, 2013 - 05:34AM JST Now what about the slaughter of Dolphins at the cove? What about shark finning?

You'll have to take that up with the countries that so shark finning. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/04/hong-kong-shark-fin-trade_n_2411627.html

" YuriOtani at Mar. 21, 2013 - 02:25AM JST Saketown and what if the Australian Navy orders them out of their waters? Sea Sheppard are nether "pirates" or "terrorists" They are more like eco pests. Will run up the Bravo Zulu flags for Sea Shepard."

BRAVO ZULU??? Are you kidding me?

Gosh, I hope the Austrailian Navy kicks Paul Watson out of Australia along with his Garbage Scow.

We should use the U.S. Patriot Act, Label him as an Eco Terrorist, Hunt him down with Unmanned Aerial Drones and Sink his Garbage Scow!

Then we can cheer Bravo Zulu...

Interesting that Australia got fed up enough with Japan that the courts actually declared the Japanese fleet as illegal. So if the Japanese fleet are in the southern waters, will the Australian navy seize the boats as Japan does to the Chinese fishing boats. The hate index for Japan seems to be rising in many parts of the world.

There is a curse on the whaling fleet. People in Japan should put pressure on the restaurants who serve whale. Now what about the slaughter of Dolphins at the cove? What about shark finning?

I don't get it.

If this Watson guy have an arrest warrant for skipping bail in Germany, how come the Australians say that he will not be arrested?, what is the relationship with declaring illegal the whaling in antarctic seas with this case?.

It seems that Australia, in order to stop whaling (a noble cause in my eyes) prefers this guy to do the dirty work for them and then prevent the possible arrest... It is like Australia is supporting a delinquent.

Don't get me wrong the part that this guy is fleeing is the part that bugs me, maybe the guy is doing the right thing but creating a climate of "persecution" he becomes a martyr and I don't like martyrs, this guy looks far from being "clean" and noble

can somebody explain it to me?

Anti-whalers claim a lot of things. And pretty much 100 percent of it is fat lies, and blatantly indifferent to any damage caused to other parties...Watch this space. Something called the law is about to be dished up (in addition to tasty whale, mmm i could use some right now!)

Stupid whales.

I guess I will have to eat extra whale meat to make the industry more profitable. I will go out out of my way to continue eating whale meat if it pisses SS idiots off even just a little !

Saketown and what if the Australian Navy orders them out of their waters? Sea Sheppard are nether "pirates" or "terrorists" They are more like eco pests. Will run up the Bravo Zulu flags for Sea Sheppard.

The U.S. Navy needs to hunt down and aprehend Paul Watson, charge him with "Piracy of the High Seas" and SINK that "Garbage Scow" with Mark 32 Torpedoes!

tmarie Mar. 21, 2013 - 12:35AM JST When will all this research be released to the international community?!

As soon as it is ready it will be released to the IWC Scientific Committee as all previous data has been, in accordance with the IWC Article VIII requirements.

DisillusionedMar. 21, 2013 - 12:46AM JST "OssanAmerica - Good one Australia. Next time you have an arrest warrant passed about by Interpol you can expect zero cooperation from the world."

The world? Don't you mean, the US?

Nope I mean the nations that are members of the ICPO. And Australia is one of them. Rest of your anti-U.S. rant is irrelevant to the topic.

marcelitoMar. 21, 2013 - 12:23AM JST "Good one Australia. Next time you have an arrest warrant passed about by Interpol you can expect zero cooperation from the world." Highly doubt that is what the " world " response will be.

Really?. You don't think Australia is a member of the ICPO?

Btw, thumbs up for the Australian Atorney-General's crystal clear statement.

Crystal clear is it? Australian politicians give a statement for the Australian public But that's easy since SSCS has assured them Watson isn't going to step one foot on Australian soil, otherwise Australia will end up with feces on it's face when it refuses to comply with the Interpol arrest warrant as it is obliged to so as an ICPO member.

OssanAmerica - Good one Australia. Next time you have an arrest warrant passed about by Interpol you can expect zero cooperation from the world.

The world? Don't you mean, the US? Mate, Australia does not give a fat rat's about the US or their over-opinionated stance on 'world order'. The US dishing out orders from the other end of the world is no different to Japan travelling to the other end of the world to harvest resources that have been protected by the countries of the southern hemisphere. Make no mistake, Japanese whaling in the southern oceans will end and it will end with egg all over the face of the Japanese and the Australian government will probably throw in some red, white and blue sauce for the yanks to lap up too. Peace! :D.

When will all this research be released to the international community?!

Good on the anti-whalers. I'm glad someone is out there trying to put a stop to the senseless slaughter blantant lies and law-breaking Japanese whalers.

Thunderbird2Mar. 20, 2013 - 11:47PM JST "@Chamkun "Japan is not doing any thing illegal. Japan is doing this in the international water.

Er... in reference to the Australian Antarctic waters... “The Australian Federal Court has ruled that Japanese whaling is illegal—they are breaking Australian law... "

Er...Australia has no jurisdiction in those Antarctic Waters, only a claim to them, A claim not recognized by most of the world including the United States. Australia passed a law which cannot be enforced outside of Australian territorial waters or the Australian EEZ. The Research whaling is being done in International Waters, hence it is "legal".

@Thunderbird2 Er... in reference to the Australian Antarctic waters...

Are you sure?

The Australian Federal Court has ruled that Japanese whaling is illegal

In that case, IWC is illegal? Japan does everything based on that limit.

SS activity is illegal that the fact no one can deny. Dangerous.

So, where's that 'scientific research' we've been hearing about all these years?

@Chamkun

Japan is not doing any thing illegal. Japan is doing this in the international water.

Er... in reference to the Australian Antarctic waters...

“The Australian Federal Court has ruled that Japanese whaling is illegal—they are breaking Australian law... "

@Oz_Monster should be Australian navy guarding our waters.

The worst idea. If Australian navy get involved, it will escalate the issue to the next level. Australian has no right to sabotage Japan's legal activity. Japan is not doing any thing illegal. Japan is doing this in the international water.

If it is illegal or legally, it has enough reason that the military may get involved, what law support your idea?

Japan needs beefing up its defense from these illegal fanatics from the next year. SS has accomplished nothing but showing their stupidity. They polluted the water there. The force never convince anyone. If SS really wants to accomplish what they say, it about time to change their strategy. Not what they say, but what they do increase more people hate them.

Well done to the men and women of Sea Shepherd! Only 75 whales slaughtered is likely lower than their wildest dreams. And I reckon some of the whales and their calves spared will delight thousands of whale-watchers - including many japanese - in the next few decades around australia and NZ.

Thunderbird2, Carlos Godoy,

Sure I read the article, and all I see is the Australian government making promises it can't afford to keep. The Interpol warrant against Watson is the result of him skipping bail in Germany and has nothing to do with Japan or antarctic whaling. Australia's anti-whaling position has no relevance to its obligation to honor an extradition request, not from another nation, but from INTERPOL of which it is a member. The attorney general may be talking tough but the last thing his government wants is for it to come to light that Australia had not only Watson to land in Australia but that it had also ignored the INTERPOL Red Notice (standing request for arrest) that's issued for him.

" Canberra indicated fugitive founder Paul Watson would not face arrest if he came ashore."

Good one Australia. Next time you have an arrest warrant passed about by Interpol you can expect zero cooperation from the world.

"Their fourth ship, the Brigitte Bardot, was at an undisclosed location with Watson, wanted by Interpol after skipping bail last July in Germany, thought to be on board."

But the fugitive Watson clearly doesn't trust the Australians. He's not coming ashore.

"This year's Japanese research will be: "We have less, so it tastes better! With soy sauce OR mayonnaise!"

Yes, or with Gochujang like in your country.

The Japanese whaling fleet is not welcome in the Southern Ocean. If the Australian Federal Court has ruled that Japanese whaling is illegal, because Japan is breaking the law, administering the law in Australian waters is the role of the Australian Navy. I would say that next whaling season there should be Australian navy guarding our waters so there are Zero whales caught!

Only 75 whales caught this season? and how much money was spent on catching them? Surely that money could be well spent on other pressing issues in Japan - the rebuilding of the devastation in Tohoku for example. It’s time to face the reality and to call it a day, forever. Well done SS for another productive season - take a bow! no pun intended!

i'd say it was a good campaign this time round

USinJapan: did you read the article? Or the headline?

@USNinJapan2

As much of a fool as Watson is, I see that he's smart enough to not come ashore in Australia or New Zealand where as ICPO member states the authorities would be bound to arrest him.

Er, the Aussies won't arrest him...

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus indicated that Watson would not be arrested if he came to Australia.

“... I can confirm that Mr Watson is not subject to any arrest warrant in any Australian government juristication.”

Good on the SS. This year's Japanese research will be: "We have less, so it tastes better! With soy sauce OR mayonnaise!"

As much of a fool as Watson is, I see that he's smart enough to not come ashore in Australia or New Zealand where as ICPO member states the authorities would be bound to arrest him.

Since the ICR has not finished their research they haven't announced anything. Some people still believe watson, that's pretty funny.

The whalers press release will be something along the lines of, "We are victims of eco-terrorists and everybody hates us, therefore we cannot release any data cos we didn't kill enough whales. With regret!"

The scars on Bob Barker are scars of Victory for the whales and defeat for the pathetic inhumane whalers who electrocute them to death under the cover of "culture".Well done Fellows,see you next year as an even stronger force.

anti-whalers return to Australia and what about whalers? whereabouts unknown or part-II of story will follow soon ? Infact, we have heard a lot about anti-whalers now it's time we have primary data of scientific research from Tokyo !