Australian court fines Japanese whaling company $1 mil for contempt

And they'll just ignore that, too, unfortunately. Japan's not one to follow rules if they don't like it -- after all, that 'traditional science they've been doing for centuries on diesel ships in the Southern Ocean is part of their science/culture and is completely necessary for the surplus they can't sell already' after all.

This is quite a complicated issue involving international law but nobody can deny that the primary purpose behind the entire Antarctic treaty system (which Japan is relying on to deny Australia's territorial claim) was to stop development in the Antarctic in order to preserve the environment. It certainly wasn't meant to create a lawless area where companies from Asia could sail half way around the world to rape the oceans with impunity. Japan is again exploiting a loophole in a treaty while pretending to be oblivious as to why the treaty was even signed in the first place.

Japan has previously said Australia has no authority to enforce its domestic laws on the high seas.>

That should save everybody some time rather than actually reading the article.

The money, effort and stubborn domestic media coverage thats involved in these futile expeditions does this country nothing but harm.

C.W. Nicol 2014 on antarctic whaling

Nessie - This is a feel-good political stunt by Australia.

That is a classically naive statement! It has nothing to do with 'feel good'. It is Australia exercising every legal avenue they have to keep the issue of Japan's 'illegal' commercial whaling in the spotlight. Just because Japan calls it 'reasearch whaling' does not make it so. The international court ruled against it and even the IWC has refuted the lack of scientific data coming from their commercial exploits to the southern oceans, in which they refuse to acknowledge both Australian economic zones and international whale sanctuaries. How is Australia's nice a 'feel good' move? Japan is exploiting a loophole in their IWC agreement and exploiting whale populations in an internationally recognized whale preserve and another country's economic zone. I can tell you how Australians feel about Japan's whaling in the southern oceans and it's far from 'good'!

333 minke whales are to be killed for scientific purposes?

Does anyone believe that assertion?

Why do you need to travel all the way to Antarctica for Minke whales ? Aren't there any left in Japanese waters ?

Good move on Australia's part, but unlikely that Japan will pay up

@Disillusioned. Exactly

I thought the Japanese whaling fleets sometimes port in Austrialia and New Zealand

Australia has made it clear Japanese whaling vessels are not welcome in Aussie ports, or in Aussie waters.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-21289000

nessie - your claim re japan not being the largest consumer of seafood is correct - but as always theres, lies, damned lies & statistics.

The 4 places above Japan are low population isands - faroe, greenland, iceland (all arctic circle vicinities where alternative food resources are very limited) and maldives a spot in the middle of the ocean far from anywhere.

Japan is by far the largest consumer of seafood per capita of any place in the world with more than a few hundred thousand people. This is common knowledge - acknowledged by Japan. Why would you try to smoke over that?

And total consumption, regardless of population. will find Japan very near the top, maybe only surpassed by China - but I'm not sure.

And if the total monies expended on the antarctic whaling industry were used to stimulate activity in the general fishing industry, I'd hazard a guess that 1,000s more would benefit much more widely.

And if the total monies expended on the antarctic whaling industry were used to stimulate activity in the general fishing industry, I'd hazard a guess that 1,000s more would benefit much more widely.

Then the IWC should review the moratorium, as their own regulations have REQUIRED them to do since the 1990's and yet they have refused to do so. And when the review shows that Minke whale population can sustain a limited hunt. Then the IWC can remove the Minke whale from the moratorium as their regulations require and issue a commercial quota. Japan can stops its government funded research and the free market will determine if Antarctic whaling is economically viable.

If the SSCS's claims that it isn't viable are true, then no hunt will occur and everybody wins. The whales will be safe from hunting. The SSCS can use their resources to deal with other issues. And the Japanese government can redirect the money from the subsidies into more productive uses.

I like the sentiment but how they going to collect that? Japan will ignore it

Japan has previously said Australia has no authority to enforce its domestic laws on the high seas. and same goes for Japan, no need to complain when SS is back down there harassing the whalers next season. SS now based in Australia Japan really can do sweet f all LOL

Japan has previously said Australia has no authority to enforce its domestic laws on the high seas. and same goes for Japan, no need to complain when SS is back down there harassing the whalers next season. SS now based in Australia Japan really can do sweet f all LOL

International law applies in the case of SS. It also applies in the case of the whalers, but unlike SS, they're not in contravention of international law so no penalties for the j-whalers.

This is a feel-good political stunt by Australia.

gogogoNOV. 18, 2015 - 03:58PM JST I like the sentiment but how they going to collect that? Japan will ignore it

I'm not certain but I thought the Japanese whaling fleets sometimes port in Austrialia and New Zealand, that would be a good time to not give them fuel and supplies, unless they pay the fine.

Either way, at least this move is creating more unwanted, negative attention towards the Japanese whaling industry.

Antarctica is not Australian territory. Sea of Antarctic is international waters.

Australia should send a fleet of fishing boats accompanied by warships and hunt tuna off the Japanese cost. At least tuna is easy to sell.

one really easy solution,

if Kyodo Senpaku Kaisha dont stop hunting whales, start boycotting bigger companies , like toyota , mitsubishi etc, and you will see how quickly japanese take care of that problem!

(Japan cannot afford to be in trouble with the world!)

I recognize Japan's right to whale, while supporting Bad2's idea of boycotts because I'd very much like to see whaling stop.

I also fine Australia a zillion Australian dollars for dumping dredge spoil on the Great Barrier Reef. And no, I will not accept a check.

Whaling, ianfu, EK, JK, it never ends. C.w.nicol was right in 2014....

and same goes for Japan, no need to complain when SS is back down there harassing the whalers next season. SS now based in Australia Japan really can do sweet f all LOL

Well except that International Laws do apply on the high seas and those laws give Japan all the authority they need to deal with any ships that interfere with the whalers no matter what country they are based in. Oh and it seems the US courts still consider the vessels in question as property of the US based Sea Shepherds.

was to stop development in the Antarctic in order to preserve the environment

And the treaty specifically exempted the high seas around Antarctica.

if Kyodo Senpaku Kaisha dont stop hunting whales, start boycotting bigger companies , like toyota , mitsubishi etc, and you will see how quickly japanese take care of that problem!

And such boycotting has supposedly been in place for a decade or more. It apparently has had about zero effect.

Their latest tax filing show they lost millions of dollars in legal fees. In fact they are taking in less money than is going out. On the road to bankruptcy. which is why theyre now based in Australia, to a country that isnt hostile to there cause. No SS will be around for a long while yet, there are plenty of wealthy individuals that have and will continue to donate to there cause. Certainly will be no clear seas for the whalers on the horizon anytime soon. You have no idea how good that feels. LOL

I hate whale hunting but damn, wth Australia, don't act like China

This is not a domestic Law, this is a Law made within a countries right to defend and protect their waters

If it WAS their waters then it WOULD be a domestic law. But since it ISN'T their waters they have no right to defend and protect them.

You really believe the Australian court will not send the navy or Coast Guard out to collect the ships

Well the court can't send the Navy of the Coast Guard to do anything. At best they could send some police or marshals. But since the court, the Navy and the Coast Guard did absolutely NOTHING to stop and/or seize the vessels after the courts initial ruling years ago; I would have to say YES I do really believe that the court will continue to do NOTHING.

even the IWC has refuted the lack of scientific data

Well actually the IWC Scientific Committee has consistently said the data they receive from Japan HAS help in the management of whales.

in which they refuse to acknowledge both Australian economic zones and international whale sanctuaries.

Well only 4 countries actually acknowledge Australia's claim to land in Antarctica, which is the basis for their economic zone. And Japan does acknowledge the international whale sanctuary, unfortunately they also acknowledge their right under the IWC to object to the sanctuary. Oh and the sanctuary was established in clear violation of the IWC's own regulations.

An unenforceable ruling based on an untenable claim to Antarctic territory. How does this even rate as news?

In a way it's the same as PRC's claim in the SCS.

@ Stuart hayward

I'm not certain but I thought the Japanese whaling fleets sometimes port in Austrialia and New Zealand, that would be a good >time to not give them fuel and supplies, unless they pay the fine. Either way, at least this move is creating more unwanted, negative attention towards the Japanese whaling industry.

I think that possibly Japanese (genuine) research ships have ported in NZ/Aust provided they swear they were not involved in whaling activities, including resupply of the whaling fleet. Under maritime law they might have to accept their entry if they declared a mayday but I think the Japanese would avoid that at all costs & head to somewhere like Fiji instead. Certainly they would not be allowed regular entry to resupply.

Another pointless feel-good action. Good luck trying to enforce a judgement over territory that Australia has no jurisdiction. Watch this action backfire and prejudice Australia's claim.

Australia should send a fleet of fishing boats accompanied by warships and hunt tuna off the Japanese cost.

But doing so in actual recognized Japanese waters would be illegal. While hunting whales in actual recognized international waters (NOT Australian waters) is not illegal.

which is why theyre now based in Australia, to a country that isnt hostile to there cause.

No, their overall headquarters is STILL in the US. And if Australia isn't hostile to their cause why won't the Australia government give them charity status so they can be tax exempt? LOL

there are plenty of wealthy individuals that have and will continue to donate to there cause

There are plenty of lawyers and plaintiffs that have and will continue to take that donated money. And even with those wealthy donators they STILL had a negative cash flow. Also those donors seem to be drying up. RFLMAO

2012 donations $12.7 Million, costs $13.2 Million, assets $4.9 Million

2013 donations $3.9 Million, costs $6.3 Million, assets $2.8 Million

Donations down 69% in one year while costs where only down 52% and assets drops by 42%. Those numbers look like a group on the fast track to bankruptcy. Will be interesting to see their 2014 numbers that should be available any day now.

Seize the boats, and impound them

Seize the boats, and impound them and how they going to do that when there parked in Australia, Japanese Navy will have to be called in, I doubt Japan has the nads to make a diplomatic incident out of whaling. Theyve already got a bad image on the world stage, using excessive force to stop SS, whose tactics are far from life threatening (except there own), will just make it worse and give SS more publicity. If you think 4-5 SS boats are a problem now imagine that number becoming 10~15. The J gov and whalers know this which is why they havent used excessive force to stop them. Your move whalers. LOL

nessie - your claim re japan not being the largest consumer of seafood is correct - but as always theres, lies, damned lies & statistics.

Thank you for your corrective statistics. Oh wait, you didn't give any.

Oh and it seems the US courts still consider the vessels in question as property of the US based Sea Shepherds. if that were the case they would have confiscated them years ago, but just like Australia may have no legal jurisdiction in the Antartica, the US/Japan has no jurisdiction in Australia/Antartica also. Heard SS got a new boat recently, parked in Australia. LOL

The issue of their ownership goes to the basis of Japan's lawsuit against the SSCS which has nothing to do with confiscating anything. actually if Japan/ US have any chance to stop SS or any other organsiation from harassing the whalers then theyll have to do exactly that confiscate there assets, which means also there boats. Even if by some small chance Japan has this happen, another organisation will just pop up in its place outside there jurisdiction. The only way Japan will stop them is by using deadly force, since SS tactics hardly deadly that option would be overkill and cause more harm to Japans image than has already be done, very much doubt they have the nads for that. So the battle will continue Japan will continue to waste huge amounts of taxpayers money all the while making its image look worse as the years go by. But hey as long as they keep a dying industry alive and the pride intact then all is fine. reminds me have to make another donation to SS. I await you glorious thumbs down LOL

I await you glorious thumbs down LOL

No thumbs down from me. The whole thumbs things is a silly ego driven thing that are only even noticed by the weak-minded.

reminds me have to make another donation to SS.

And I am sure their lawyers appreciate your money. Their latest tax filing show they lost millions of dollars in legal fees. In fact they are taking in less money than is going out. On the road to bankruptcy.

Why do you need to travel all the way to Antarctica for Minke whales ?

Because Antarctic Minke whales, which is the species they catch, live near Antarctica, as their name implies.

Aren't there any left in Japanese waters

Yes, there are Minke whales in Japanese waters, but they are two different species and the hunting season for each falls during different times of the year. They catch the ones near Japan during the Northern Hemisphere summer and they catch the ones near Antarctica during the Southern Hemisphere summer.

nessie - please read the link you gave then you can understand the corrective statistics you so surely need.

@wtf. Obviously I'm talking about the Australian navy impounding Japan's whale poaching vessels

if that were the case they would have confiscated them years ago

And just what reason would the US have for confiscating the SSCS's boats? The issue of their ownership goes to the basis of Japan's lawsuit against the SSCS which has nothing to do with confiscating anything. LOL

the US/Japan has no jurisdiction in Australia/Antartica also

Well the waters in question aren't Australia/Antarctica, they are just purely Antarctica or more correctly the High Seas. And as it relates to US and/or Japanese vessels the US/Japan DO have jurisdiction over their own flagged vessel on the High Seas and jurisdiction over vessels (from ANY country) that attack their flagged vessels on the High Seas.

Mlodinow

I think that possibly Japanese (genuine) research ships have ported in NZ/Aust provided they swear they were not involved in whaling activities, including resupply of the whaling fleet. Under maritime law they might have to accept their entry if they declared a mayday but I think the Japanese would avoid that at all costs & head to somewhere like Fiji instead. Certainly they would not be allowed regular entry to resupply.

(I thought that Japan considers all Japanese whaling fleets to be considered "genuin" reserch ships?)

(Cleo, thank you for the link, I'll read through it.)

Australia has no authority to enforce its domestic laws on the high seas.

The Australian "claim" to international water is not recognized by 190 nations.

And the court order itself is contempt against the Antarctica treaty which Australia is a signatory of.

I'm looking forward to some new fresh & delicious whale meat ;-)

no country consumes more of the worlds natural oceans fish stocks than Japan period!

Just plain wrong. It's not even true per capita.

http://www.insidermonkey.com/blog/11-countries-that-consume-the-most-fish-350130/

How is Australia's nice a 'feel good' move?

It's a feel-good move because Australia can't make extraterritorial claims on resources and they know it. I'm still waiting for my payout for Australia damaging the Great Barrier Reef, where I established a plesiosaur sanctuary--a sanctuary recognized by only four fewer countries than Australia's whale sanctuary.

What's wrong with Australians and their thinking their local laws apply for any random section of international waters?

Hey Gogogo, This is not a domestic Law, this is a Law made within a countries right to defend and protect their waters, if a Country has the right to protect Coral and other endangered species, it has that right when anyone is ordered not to fish in those waters to collect their fines, it this case it is simple the court gives a date most are within 30 days, if it is not paid in full it is allowed to impound a vehicle in this case a ship and if that ship is not worth the fine then they can confiscate two ships, it is that simple, You really believe the Australian court will not send the navy or Coast Guard out to collect the ships, Guess what people they are red Mad and that will be the next step for the Australian Government, and this is no $50.00 ticket as interest starts to add up after 30 days,

Australia should send a fleet of fishing boats accompanied by warships and hunt tuna off the Japanese cost. At least tuna is easy to sell.

Ha that'd show them

I also fine Australia a zillion Australian dollars for dumping dredge spoil on the Great Barrier Reef. And no, I will not accept a check. no country consumes more of the worlds natural oceans fish stocks than Japan period! And we wont even mention all the toxic and radioactive waste that Japan has dumped into the oceans over the years. whatever damage Australia has done to the oceans pales in comparison to what Japan has and continues to do!

this is laughable on australia's part. from wiki: only four other states recognise Australia's claim to sovereignty in Antarctica. if you really want to stop japan's whaling then just ignore them. it will die off naturally.