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Japanese whalers driven from hunting ground, says Sea Shepherd

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cleo - the Australian Environment Minister, Greg Hunt

You took that information from the eco-terrorist SS website. Has any honest reporting agency verified the information as being accurate?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

1,000 nautical miles away from Australia’s search and rescue zone That's great. Of course when the SSCS found them they were already not in the Australian search and rescue zone, but in the New Zealand search and rescue zone. That is why, at the time, the SSCS whined about the whalers illegally being in New Zealand territory, followed by the New Zealand government saying the SSCS were wrong it most definitely was not New Zealand territory. The fact the whalers still aren't in Australia's search and rescue zone say nothing about the whether or not they have killed any more whales since Jan 5th.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

According to whom?

the Australian Environment Minister, Greg Hunt

1 ( +2 / -1 )

cleo - More good news -

According to whom? The eco-terrorist SS? Considering their past history of lying, and their recent inaccurate claim of "Japanese whalers driven from hunting ground, says Sea Shepherd" while the whalers are clearly still within the hunting ground, there is no reason to believe that the latest claim by the eco-terrorist SS is based on anything other than wishful thinking and hoping not to appear as stupid as they appear to be.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

More good news - On January 14, the Australian Environment Minister, Greg Hunt, confirmed that two days earlier, the Japanese whaling fleet was over 1,000 nautical miles away from Australia’s search and rescue zone, steaming away from Australian waters. This placed the whalers in the region on the eastern edge of their self-allocated hunting grounds, near the Ross Dependency. Based on this information, Sea Shepherd can confirm that the whalers did not return to their whaling grounds in the interim period, but headed east in order to avoid being spotted by the Australian government’s monitoring flight. Luckily for the whales, there is currently a massive low-pressure system over the Ross Dependency. The seas are choppy, the skies are grey and overcast, fog has reduced visibility to 100 meters, and weather conditions are generally poor. These circumstances make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for the whalers to resume whaling. Considering these factors, it is highly likely that the Japanese whaling operations have been suspended since Sea Shepherd initially disrupted them on January 5.

https://www.seashepherd.org.au/news-and-media/2014/01/16/operation-relentless-update-1560

2 ( +3 / -1 )

cleo - Violence as a solution to violence (it don't get much more violent than an exploding harpoon). Not pretty, and most people would rather avoid it if possible, but it's been shown that 'Please don't do that' doesn't work.

You've already made it clear that you are pro-violence and support violence as a means to your end. The eco-terrorist SS brag that they have sunk 10 vessels. 11 if you count Watson's abandonment of the Ady Gil in international water. Many nations have rescinded and refused to register eco-terrorist SS garbage scows because of their repeated acts of violence. The same violence that you promote and encourage. Only the Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand seem to want to be represented by the perpetrators of repeated eco-terrorist violence.

Several media outlets readily published the eco-terrorist SS written propaganda about Japanese whalers allegedly being driven from the hunting ground (aka international water). Now it appears that the whalers were simply waiting for the eco-terrorist SS to finally show up so the whalers could begin following the eco-terrorist SS vessels. Again. Just like they've done in the past. Oh well, there's always next year.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

shows you support violence as a solution to a disagreement?

Violence as a solution to violence (it don't get much more violent than an exploding harpoon). Not pretty, and most people would rather avoid it if possible, but it's been shown that 'Please don't do that' doesn't work.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

budgie - Moan all you want about "eco-terrorists", but Sea Shepherd have achieved quantifiable results: a marked decrease in Japan's yearly catch. Keep at it, and keep the whaling mafia on its toes!

Which proves that violence must be the answer?

And shows you support violence as a solution to a disagreement?

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

I watched their video. I'm sure they are terrorists and you can even seems they crew throwing acid and the whaling crew only using water.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

There is also only one company that hunts whales in Japan, yet they seem to kill plenty of whales. So I guess that was just a red herring.

By the time the meat is prepped for export the whale is already dead whether the meat is ever exported or not. So that issue was just another red herring.

I agree, Iceland didn't hunt any Fin whales in 2011 or 2012, because they felt the economic situation in Japan wouldn't support any export. I did notice that no mention was made of 2013. Could that be because the Fin whale hunt for export to Japan was restarted in 2013?

So it still stands that endangered Fin whales are killed in Iceland for export to Japan and the whales are just as dead whether the meat every actually makes it Japan or not. And Japan's Northern pacific hunt has killed more whales per year since the SSCS started interfering with the Southern Ocean hunt.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

aussie-musashi,

Their research is purely to see if whale population numbers have increased sufficiently to resume commercial whaling.

LOL, I thought Australia wants the ICJ to rule that Japan isn't doing research? Good Luck, Australia...

But seriously, that sounds like pretty responsible management to me. No one would expect them to resume a commercial fishery without having a clue about how many they can catch.

But given the IWC is advised that there were more than 300K minke whales at last estimate, it's hard to see any validity to the notion that these whales could not be caught to some extent. So, why not leave it to the IWC's scientific advisers to suggest an appropriately safe number to catch, and resolve this issue already?

Aren't there more important things to worry about than demanding Japanese people forget about eating non-endangered whales?

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

but Sea Shepherd have achieved quantifiable results Yes, they have gotten Iceland to increase their catch of endangered Fin whales for export to Japan, while decreasing Japan's killing of not endangered Minke whales. So killing more endangered whales is a good thing?

-2 ( +3 / -6 )

Moan all you want about "eco-terrorists", but Sea Shepherd have achieved quantifiable results: a marked decrease in Japan's yearly catch. Keep at it, and keep the whaling mafia on its toes!

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Their research is purely to see if whale population numbers have increased sufficiently to resume commercial whaling.

You know what, if that was the case then it would absolutely meet the criteria of the IWC. An organisation that was established to ensure the orderly development of the whaling industry.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Have they even stated what their research theory is all about?

Yes they have. And since it involves the population and reproductive health of the population, it requires ongoing research as things can change from year to year as other factors change. Like water temp and food supply and pollution levels.

Their research is purely to see if whale population numbers have increased sufficiently to resume commercial whaling. Hence their buying of votes at the IWC to this end

So then why do the anti-whalers buy votes at the IWC?

And how does buying votes, if there was even any proof that Japan has done so, have any relation to population size? The population is the same no matter how anyone decides to vote.

-4 ( +4 / -7 )

Their research is purely to see if whale population numbers have increased sufficiently to resume commercial whaling. Hence their buying of votes at the IWC to this end

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

Get them Sea Shepherd! Stop the farce "scientific poaching". How many years will it take for their research? They IWC should have given Japan a completion period for them to finish their "thesis". After all, don't all graduate and post graduate degrees have a completion term limit? Have they even stated what their research theory is all about?

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

hkitagawaJAN. 11, 2014 - 10:56AM JST The most interesting is to read that you can also support the whale research: http://icrwhale.org/01-G-ENG.html Each time ss do terrorism, more they increase support of the research.

Thank you hkitagawa for giving me my first big laugh for the day. Let's give money to unnecessarily killing wild mammals and currently one of the most dubious research projects in the world!

-5 ( +4 / -8 )

The most interesting is to read that you can also support the whale research: http://icrwhale.org/01-G-ENG.html Each time ss do terrorism, more they increase support of the research.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Interesting to read today that the eco-terrorist whalers are reluctant now to enter Australia's EEZ as they have in previous years:

http://www.theage.com.au/national/japanese-whaler-stops-close-to-australian-waters-after-pursuit-20140110-30mps.html

Last years effort by the eco-terrorist whalers was unsuccessful - this season will likely be even more of a failure.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

This article refers to the crew of the Sea Shepherd as "militants". Seriously? Might as well just call them "terrorists"!

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

How they can declare success if there is a lot of whales in the ship like a sardine ready to be canned?

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

And where did you read this.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Guess someone forgot to bring one?

Or any of a thousand other reasons they decided it wsn't worth the effort.

Strange that some people have such a narrow view when it fits their purpose.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

and for at least 48 hours was running at full speed burning up the expensive fuel

And during the same time the SSCS ships were doing the same thing. But I believe the Nisshim Maru has a larger fuel capacity and the Japanese refuel at sea within miles of the hunting ground while the SSCS has to trek all the back to Australia or NZ, then trek all the way back to the hunting grounds and refind the whalers. Sounds like a win for the whalers.

which must end on Mar.31

Why? Article VIII allows them to issue any permits they wish. A simple swish of a pen and they can extend their season past March 31st if they so desire.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

@Zichi, good news indeed. The Japanese government probably decided that, having peeved off China and South Korea about Yasukuni shrine, they didn`t need a peeved off Australia as well. Hence their consenting to halt pursuit of the Bob Barker

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Maybe but they are free to hunt while separated from SS ships, each separation also means SS has to burn extra fuel finding them again.

Whalers refuel at sea, the SS needs to return to base costing them fuel and travelling time. Pros and Cons on both sides.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Zichi.

If that is so than the same applies to SS in ship to ship and ship to help communication unless the communication is coded.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I am sure the Nishin Maru is on constant contact with their tanker, and they know each others location.

Also sure that the whalers can chase SS again into Aussie waters giving them time till the SS locates them again. Works both ways.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

Japan decided to acquiesce to Australia to avoid a war of words. But legally, as long as they weren't hunting whales or engaged in some other direct economic activity, Australia has no authority to stop the passage of any ship through their EEZ.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

@cleo: Yes, I just saw that info. Welcome news indeed. It seems the Australian government has stood up to Japan, short of sending a naval vessel down there to enforce their wishes

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Apparently Australia has told the Japanese authorities that the harpoon ship Yushin Maru 3, which was tailing the Bob Barker (and presumably relaying its position to the butcher ship) must back off from entering the Aussie EEZ. It's stopped in the water one mile outside the zone, 200 miles off Macquarie Island, while the BB has sailed into the EEZ unimpeded and is now free of its tail. Go BB.

https://www.seashepherd.org.au/news-and-media/2014/01/09/harpoon-ship-stopped-1558

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I`m sure this will be the least successful year for the poachers to date

2 ( +7 / -5 )

aussie-musashi - Sea Shepherd are doing a good job. I wish them every success, and hope this will be the end of whaling

Considering that the eco-terrorist SS are currently running around in circles wondering what to do next, I suppose someone could consider that to be "doing a good job"? At least the eco-terrorist SS crews aren't currently attempt to injure or maim anyone. All those glass bottles of acid and no one to throw them at.

It seems that the eco-terrorist SS claim of, "Japanese whalers driven from hunting ground, says Sea Shepherd", was a bit premature, or maybe another outright lie, in order to get it's pro-violence supporters to publically rally in support of their violent eco-terrorist tactics.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

@Mike O'brien strange you didn't read my post saying I had made a mistake over the humpback whales?

Not really. Your comment didn't show up until after I made my comment. And not being psychic it was impossible for me to read it before it showed up.

-4 ( +4 / -7 )

You read the link yet you made such an obvious mistake. And still needed to question why the Japanese take whales. You also selectively quoted from the IWC's website where you'd have had to read the link from the secretary yet you chose to ignore it.

I didn't say that you were an SS supporter. I said you seemed to have used the same tactic as they do.

And yes, I detest the SS. I detest that they use violence in order to achieve their means. I respect (though disagree with) Greenpeace, Australia and New Zealand for trying to change the law. But, I have no time for the SS or their supporters.

interestingly enough NZ has just announced it would be banning shark finning. And I wonder why the SS haven't done direct action against the Kiwis.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

If you bothered to read the link you posted, you would realise that they've always done that. That link claims they use it as a bargaining chip but either way they haven't taken a humpback and to claim otherwise is the kind of stuff you would expect to see from the SS supporters.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

2002-2011 Japan killed 11,320 whales including 7,780 Antarctic minke, 270 fin whales, 250 humpback whales. http://us.whales.org/issues/whaling-in-japan

Between 2002-2011 Japan killed ZERO humpback whales. The referenced source even says the same thing.

Strange that the referenced source says ZERO humpbacks, yet someone claims the source says 250 humpbacks.

-3 ( +6 / -8 )

So you read that link but decided to make the claim anyway? Why would that be?

Your link said that Japan hadn't killed any humpback. Again I'm not sure how you could make such an error by accident.

Humpbacks are at ''least concern status' so I'd guess they probably would like to hunt them again in the future at limited numbers and sustainable.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

And if you read this: http://iwc.int/cache/downloads/3y82usrvwao0kgkkk48gokc8c/IWCCCG1079.pdf

Easily accessible from the front of the IWC page you will see that:

Japan has informed the Secretariat that it will continue to suspend the capture of humpback whales for the forthcoming season

You previously claimed that Japan has taken 250 humpback whales but your link says that Japan postponed the hunt for humpbacks and as I've proven above, they've informed the IWC of that and the IWC acknowledges it.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

According to the Special Permit issued Nov 28, 2013, by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to the ICR, and a copy was given and posted on the IWC site, the permit authorizes the hunt and slaughter of Antarctic minke whales, fin whales and humpback whales.

It is continuing to suspend the capture of humpback whales.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

Sea Shepherd are doing a good job. I wish them every success, and hope this will be the end of whaling

3 ( +9 / -6 )

zichi,

I think commercial whaling is banned in the Antarctic, is it not?

This is the strange thing. You are telling me there are realistically 700K whales, and supposedly there is a whaling ban there...

For what reason is commercial whaling banned in the Antarctic, if there are 700K whales there? What is the purpose?

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

Be careful Mike, you get in to serious trouble on this site when you accused the SS of lying.

-3 ( +7 / -10 )

@zichi, why are you reporting news that is almost a 5 years old? The increase from 440 to 850 minke whales(it wasn't to 935 that is an SSCS lie) was in 2006 and included 10 fin whales. Then in 2009 fin whales were increased to 50 and 50 humpback were added to the permit.

Of course they have not taken a single humpback since prior to the moratorium and since 1986 they have only taken a total of 18 fin whales, fewer than Greenland takes every year.

Also, humpback whales are classified as least concern since 2008.

-3 ( +7 / -9 )

why does anyone need to take anything from international waters?

But why not take from an area where they are abundant and sustainable?

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Banned by the IWC. An organisation that's purpose is for the orderly development of the whaling industry. If you accept a figure of 700,000 then it's fine to sustainably harvest.

There's no environmental reason to prevent it.

Japan is planning on taking 850 minke whales this year. It is continuing to suspend the capture of humpback whales.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

Well as you seem to accept that there are 2 million whales in the Southern Ocean.

Care to explain why they can't be sustainably harvested?

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

Today SSCS reports that they have lost contact with the Japanese factory ship and one harpoon ship. We can assume that the whalers are again busy killing whales.

You have to be pretty poor mariners if you have 3 faster ships and a helicopter but still manage to lose contact with 8000 ton ship.

-2 ( +6 / -7 )

why would it remain so if they are not endangered?

To stop them ever becoming endangered?

Hence the term sustainable.

The Institute for Cetacean Research (ICR) can stop the research and instead concentrate on getting the whaling ban lifted.

Zichi... I'm pretty sure that by proving that there are sufficient whales to sustainably hunt that they can concentrate on getting the whaling ban lifted. But given the last data from the IWC is over 10 years ago it's important that they can prove the current numbers. According to Stanford the number of Minke is within the historical norm. Clearly sustainable.

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

Once again SSCS announces false information to the biased media. Just like SSCS claining the Whaling was being done in New Zealand waters and New Zealand saying it wasn't, now SSCS is claiming to be having an effect on the research whaling, while the whalers say no. I suppose it doesn't dawn on anyone that ICR has always made a big issue of SSCS interference so if they were actual;ly being affected, they would be the first to be claiming it. SSCS and their supporters are the biggest bunch of brainwashed sheep. What are he going to do after the ICJ rules in Japan's favor this year? I can hear the arguments that "Japan bribed the ICJ" already....

-8 ( +6 / -14 )

The sanctimony rolling off these SS types is about as rancid as it gets.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

Wow off the coast of California environmentalist counted 195 whales migrating to Mexico for the summer from Alaska in 2013 just today it was reported the same group counted 380 and whale watching is underway in 2014. Umm makes me wonder!!!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

In the whale sanctuaries and in the Antarctic commercial whaling is banned, and will remain so.

And why would it remain so if they are not endangered?

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

A study in 2010, by Stanford University based on DNA of minke whales showed the numbers are decreasing.

Their research demonstrates that the current population of Antarctic minke whales is within the historical norm of the species over the last 100,000 years.

"Based on our genetic analysis, average Antarctic minke whale populations over the past 100,000 years have been around 670,000," said Stephen Palumbi, professor of biology, director of Stanford's Hopkins Marine Station and senior fellow at the university's Woods Institute for the Environment. "That number easily falls within the range of current population estimates for the whales, as determined in studies by the International Whaling Commission," he said. Palumbi is the senior author of a paper describing the work, published in the journal Molecular Ecology.

So not declining then. And not endangered. So in conclusion it's fair to say that actually, there is no justifiable reason as why Minke whales can not be hunted sustainably.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

zichi

The more data points, the more accurate the research. Yes, I'm sure I learned that back in fifth grade science. Of course they didn't mentioned how some would find such data points so appetizing...

-6 ( +5 / -12 )

Zichi,

And you say you aren't being obtuse.

Stuff said that it came from the IWC's minutes. Incidentally can you find the minutes from the 2012 meeting on their website? or the 2011? They don't appear to publish them there.

I believe the IWC over what the SS say. Stuff publish news articles. They also posted that the Japanese whalers were in NZ water. They then changed that story to include the quote that was not factually correct. And I've previously stated numerous times. It's been suggested. Suggested does not mean factual and it certainly doesn't mean it's been peer reviewed. I would have assumed that someone with your intelligence would understand that.

I have no idea why there has been such a swing in those numbers but I dare say that counting tools and measuring techniques have increased in the past 30 years. Not to mention the research of the Japanese which will go someway to explain the levels of Minke.

NO Cleo, I was assuming the poster was a vegetarian because they said

I wonder why would you defend the killers of sealife.

Which covers everyone who kills sealife in order for us to eat meat.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

Damien15

Says who? Japan of course. Surely they are the only one doing this "scientific research",

Obviously, since Japan is the only one who has been granted a permit by the ICW to conduct research whaling. Who else would?

They have made this a matter of pride, to the point that considerable amount of aid collected for tsunami victims went to the whalers, even though some of those people are still homeless.

You may want to check your facts because you obviously swallowed this one hook, line, and sinker. Not a single yen of donations collected, either domestically or internationally, for relief efforts from the Tohoku disaster has been spent on the ICR's research whaling. The GOJ did however reassign a relatively small amount of federal funds (tax revenue) within the same ministry of their government that includes both this research whaling and relief funds, specifically for the town of Ishinomaki (a whaling port), which the foreign press conveniently (and far from accurately or objectively) reported as disaster donations spent on whaling. Sure there are people from the disaster stricken area who are still technically "homeless" but what responsibility does the government have at this point to house them permanently when they have been provided government built and operated temporary housing for almost three years now? I hate to sound cold but is the government really responsible for building houses and new lives for every last one of them because of an act of nature? Regardless, it's not your place to say how the Japanese government chooses to spend or reassign it's tax revenue.

Plus, noone wants whale meat anymore, last whale restaurants are closing their doors, there are tons of frozen whale meat in cold storage.

Not in my part of Japan. First there never has been anything like a dedicated whale restaurant. Instead, whale meat has always been on the menu of most sushi restaurants and izakayas. I don't know what part of Japan you live in but where I am I can go out in town and easily hit a dozen joints that serve kujira in bacon or sashimi form. As for tons of frozen whale, what of it? There are literally tons of every kind of seafood sitting frozen in storage at any given moment in Japan.

I wonder why would you defend the killers of sealife. Do you really believe something as cruel as whaling still has its place for our times? Do you think this majectic mamal deserves the harpoon in the head?

I defend the whalers because one, I don't anthropomorphize and pretend that whales are any different from any other edible animal on this planet. They are food plain and simple. Whaling is cruel? As if there's such a thing as an un-cruel death. I'd say it's just as cruel as the way we process every other animal we eat. And if the cruelty is a factor for you, then you'd be less inclined to protest if a quicker and more efficient method of killing a whale was developed? Don't make me laugh. The second reason I support the whalers is because they have the legal right to do what they are doing until they day the ICJ rules that they are violating international law in some way and causes the IWC to revoke their research whaling permit. Until that day, the only rational categorization of Sea Shepherd is a vigilante organization that chooses to blatantly break undisputed international laws, carelessly violate maritime rules of the road, and places human lives in jeopardy because they value the lives of a particular animal more. I personally could care less whether whaling is or isn't being conducted, but I am adamant that what Sea Shepherd does is dangerous and should not be allowed. If anything they are a detriment to the anti-whaling cause and if you had any brains you would refrain from supporting the buffoon Watson and his ever-growing legal fund and instead choose to support legitimate (and legal) efforts to combat whaling that may not be as dramatic but will be more effective in the long run.

-8 ( +4 / -12 )

@wtfjapan, Dr Endo and his colleagues also tested people who regularly eat whale and dolphin meat and found no associated medical problems. So maybe the guidelines are too restrictive?

@Damien15, no it is the IUCN that says so.

And you are repeating a lie about aid collected for tsunami victims going to whalers. It was a government fund to support businesses in teh affected areas and some of the whaling fleet are homeported in the area.

-4 ( +5 / -8 )

Keep them running, Sea Shepherd. Good work

0 ( +9 / -9 )

As mentioned yesterday, the NZ media is even suggesting it.

And what exactly did the 'NZ media' (more accurately medium, since it's only one) actually say?

Antarctic minke whales – like the three filmed dead on a Japanese whaling ship yesterday – are so abundant that research may show they can be formally fished, International Whaling Commission documents reveal. Japanese whaling research papers submitted to the commission – based on analysis from “scientific” whaling cruises – suggest more than 2 million minkes are in the area south of Australia and New Zealand.

(Yes, even Stuff.co.nz puts 'scientific' in inverted commas)

So, sez oo, yes, sez Japan. Of course.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Plus, noone wants whale meat anymore, last whale restaurants are closing their doors, there are tons of frozen whale meat in cold storage. They are too stubborn to quit becuase it would mean defeat to seasheperd.

A quick search of the tabelog website for "tokyo" and "kujira" comes up with 119,486 hits of restaurants with whale on the menu.

Obviously they aren't all closing - and if they're all offering whale on the menu, there has to be a reason for it. You might find one or two that keep it on the menu as some kind of a political statement, but the far more likely conclusion is that people like it, and want to buy it, and will seek it out.

Second - Japan has well over 2 million tons of rice stockpiled. Does this massive stockpile - one of the largest in the world - indicate that the Japanese have stopped eating rice? After all, if a stockpile of a few thousand tonnes of meat indicates that the Japanese have lost interest, a couple of million tons must mean that they've all abandoned it completely.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Says who? Japan of course. Surely they are the only one doing this "scientific research", surely they will not admit even if their "research" showed otherwise.

Do you have any information to dispute that? As mentioned yesterday, the NZ media is even suggesting it.

They have made this a matter of pride, to the point that considerable amount of aid collected for tsunami victims went to the whalers, even though some of those people are still homeless.

A small amount of money. Which came from government funds and not donations. Also it's worth remembering that Tohoku has always been a whaling area.

Plus, noone wants whale meat anymore, last whale restaurants are closing their doors, there are tons of frozen whale meat in cold storage. They are too stubborn to quit becuase it would mean defeat to seasheperd.

There are tons of every kind of food in storage. Otherwise there would be issues if there was a bad harvest. Any idea how much rice in storage?

I wonder why would you defend the killers of sealife. Do you really believe something as cruel as whaling still has its place for our times? Do you think this majectic mamal deserves the harpoon in the head?

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

Usnin

It's called anthropomorphizing.

No, it's not.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

USNIN in Japan,

"The minke whale, along with other whale species Japan hunts, isn't endangered and stocks have increased to the point that sustainable commercial hunting can resume."

Says who? Japan of course. Surely they are the only one doing this "scientific research", surely they will not admit even if their "research" showed otherwise.

They have made this a matter of pride, to the point that considerable amount of aid collected for tsunami victims went to the whalers, even though some of those people are still homeless. Plus, noone wants whale meat anymore, last whale restaurants are closing their doors, there are tons of frozen whale meat in cold storage. They are too stubborn to quit becuase it would mean defeat to seasheperd.

I wonder why would you defend the killers of sealife. Do you really believe something as cruel as whaling still has its place for our times? Do you think this majectic mamal deserves the harpoon in the head?

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

I fail to see your logic. All the best Sea Shepherd, keep them running

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

whales are mammals, not fish! Does this mean they should be "mammaled"

Crabs are fishes. Whales are fished. Fishes are fished. It's all fishing.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Skeeter27.

Same old tired argument.

Whales been caught for over 100yrs using steam, etc powered ships and also using explosive tipped harpoons How far back has a tradition/culture have to have started?

Eskimos, etc can use snowmobiles, etc and no beep from anyone.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

For starters the Japanese whalers say it's part of their custom and tradition too whale. However, I don't think they would sail ships all the way down to the Antarctic to do this. So I strongly believe that they are out of the area!

Next, if they want to follow customs and rituals and traditions I suggest they get boats with sails and oars and paddle their butts around the ocean!

I don't support whale hunting don't get me wrong. However, if they're going to do it they should follow their traditions and not use these technological advanced ships that allow them to carry hundreds of whales.

-1 ( +4 / -4 )

fxgai

I wasn't aware that whales are the most intelligent species on our planet, so that is something to reflect upon

It's called anthropomorphizing. Don't fall for it.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

@Hide Suzuki Another reason to eat more whale meat although I don't even particularly like it just goes to prove that pride will always trump common sence. read the facts

Tetsuya Endo and his colleagues at the Health Sciences University of Hokkaido traveled around Japan between 2000 and 2002 and purchased fresh and frozen whale and dolphin meat from vendors and processors. They analyzed the total mercury content in samples of red meat, or muscle, which is the most popular whale product sold for human consumption in Japan. The researchers found that mercury levels in all 137 meat samples exceeded the guidelines of 0.4 part per million set by the Japanese government. In fact, samples of false killer whale and striped dolphin surpassed the regulations by 200 and 160 times, respectively. In total, the team identified nine different whale species and six types of dolphins and porpoises being sold as food, and determined that average mercury levels in meat from Northern cities were higher than those in samples bought in southern markets.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

zichi,

Well most people get their information from media. Fairfax Media claims to be the leading player in Australasian media, so if anything I'd expect them to have a strong slant in favour of their government policies, which as we know from the ICJ case are not in favour of whaling.

Looks, there seems to be a lot of minutia regarding this issue, but I just don't see how catching some of those whales is a problem. If there are roughly a half million of them at last estimate (give or take 200K), and the IWC's own scientific advisers are saying they could run a whale fishery as reported yesterday by Australasian media, why not?

Jim Poushinsky,

Thanks for your response, the only one. Thought provoking information too. I wasn't aware that whales are the most intelligent species on our planet, so that is something to reflect upon. I am thinking there is something wrong with me for not having an innate abhorrence towards this activity, which is surely quite evil since so many people are against it.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

In the 26 years since 1987 it has cost the taxpayers of the nation, $378 million or ¥40 billion for the country's whaling which is being consumed by less than 15% of the population.

Japan's total tax revenue for those 26 years is over 3 quadrillion yen. 40 billion is somewhere around 0.001% of that.

If they're spending 0.001% of revenue and making 15% of the population happy that might not be the "appeal to economics" talking point you wanted it to be.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Siddharth Chakravarty, captain of one of the Sea Shepherd vessels the Steve Irwin, said it had been an encouraging start to the group's 10th annual harassment campaign, which got under way last month. "Within a day-and-a-half we have the entire whaling fleet in disarray," he said.

Hahaha. Sounds like more, unverified, lies from the eco-terrorist SS. I'm surprised that there haven't been any "quotes" from that other eco-terrorist SS capt, you know, the weasel-faced looking one.

-4 ( +7 / -11 )

Evolution theory tells us if they weren't using their massive brains to think, they wouldn't have them.

No, it doesn't. All it tells us is that at some point the species had a use for a large brain. It doesn't tell us what that use was or even if the reason still exists.

-4 ( +6 / -9 )

It is pointed out that it is simply not plausible to argue that it is more feasible to collect molecules of DNA by harpooning and processing a whole whale, compared to using the established, proven and efficient methods of biopsy collection

Which 2010 Joint Australia-New Zealand Antarctic Whale Expedition failed to do in regards to Minke Whales.

0 ( +9 / -10 )

fxgai says "I just don't see why minke whales are supposed to be different from all these other types of naturally renewable resources used by humans. Maybe someone can explain it to me, without any of the fuzzy logic!"

Whales have by far the largest and most complicated brains of any species on our planet! This is not about the whales' size, as the dinosaurs were huge with tiny brains. Most of the human brain size is attributed to the dexterity of our hands, but whales only need to swim in the ocean, not manipulate tools. Their brains are many times the mass of human brains, with 8 times the convolutions (and thus surface area) of our forebrains, which are the basis for our intelligence. Evolution theory tells us if they weren't using their massive brains to think, they wouldn't have them. So instead of killing and eating the most intelligent species on our planet, doesn't it make more sense to honour and attempt to communicate with them, and learn what they could tell us about this great mystery of life?

1 ( +7 / -6 )

It gave Japan permission to carry out whaling “biopsy sampling and photo-id work” in the Ross Sea this month.

In other words, non-lethal research. The report of the Scientific Committee published last year (http://iwc.int/cache/downloads/dfk3x3g3hy0ckww8k4ogw0kgo/AnnexG.pdf) contains quite a bit of dispute concerning the value of lethal vs non-lethal research. It is pointed out that it is simply not plausible to argue that it is more feasible to collect molecules of DNA by harpooning and processing a whole whale, compared to using the established, proven and efficient methods of biopsy collection....While Pastene and Tamura noted that lethal studies provide morphometric information on stocks, Gales noted that the genetic data and animal movement data were by far the most informative data for this issue, and that the morphometric data in itself was unnecessary. In relation to foraging studies, Gales reminded the sub- Committee that the Scientific Committee had concluded at the 2007 meeting (IWC 2008, p.45) that stomach content analyses from lethal studies were limited in their ability to predict daily food intake or trends in food intake. It had been agreed that further progress on lethal feeding studies could only be made when information was available on diurnal feeding behavior, length of the feeding season and rates of food passage through the stomach. The last of these is, for all practical purposes, immeasurable.

The report also points out the use of earplugs to determine age, a piece of 'necessary data' so beloved by the whale-killing crowd, is far from accurate and varies according to the subjective bias of the individual earplug reader. Killing whales to get at their earplugs is, apparently, not essential or reliable 'research'.

“Unfortunately, the research activities were interrupted several times by Sea Shepherd, which directed violent sabotage activities against Japanese research vessels.”

There would be no interruption of 'sighting surveys'. All that is being interrupted is the killing of whales for the table, what the wailers euphemistically call 'sampling'.

Scott Ryan -

they need to stop selling whale burgers in takeaway chains

There are no takeaway chains selling 'whale burgers'.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

I wish Sea Shepherd all the best, and an ignominous end to Japan`s whaling season

1 ( +8 / -7 )

Stuff is a leading nz website. Given that I now live in NZ I feel I am qualified to comment.

That the Japanese presented their findings to the IWC should be sufficient to suggest that it is now being peernreviewed unless you are suggesting that the IWC wouldn't bother to review such reports

As for the four resesrch comment. .. thebway I read that is that it came directly from the IWCs minutes. Not fairfax and not me.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

Readers, please stop bickering. If you wish to post on this thread, you have to be tolerant of opposing views.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

quote: minke whales are numerous and could be "fished". unquote.

It's a small linguistic point, but whales are mammals, not fish! Does this mean they should be "mammaled"?

Anyway, popcorn ready to see what next bit of fluff comes from the trolls.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Something needs to be done here, they need to stop selling whale burgers in takeaway chains like the west does with beef burgers.

You cant just take away there culture, but not selling whale burgers as takeaway food is a 100% must do. If there going to sell it, it should only be once every month or 3 times a year "in fast food chains". Restaurants should sell it, but at a hi cost. At least this way everyone that is not rich can buy it mutable times a year. If you want it bad, you can get it "but its not the price of takeaway food".

That is the best thing i can think of, to stop mass killing of whales, why letting them eat whale within reason.

I would not back a full band, but a 75% to 85% less limit "they can catch" each year.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Zichi,

I think you're being deliberately obtuse. I've said, on more than one occasion, that it's been suggested. At no point have I claimed that to be a fact. The previous poster said that the IWC said there was a 95% certainty that there were 360k of Minke whales, the IWC say that could be up to double that with the same degree of certainty. Which was 10 years ago.

The Kiwis are one of the most antiwhaling countries on the world. Yet despite that, one of their leading sites has suggested that there may be as many as 2 million Minke and that it may be possible to fish again. This is conjecture, but based on the research from the Japanese. Which I haven't seen anyone dispute yet. As I said, the Japanese research is presumably being peer reviewed as we speak not to mention the commission's report says it is undertaking an in-depth assessment of the minke, particularly around the pack ice region which has not been surveyed at all.

And it is very interesting to read the comments about the SS. Just to repeat, and this is not a suggestion, nor conjecture but The IWC said that in the 2012/13 summer, it had approved a dedicated sighting survey by Japan in the Southern Ocean.

“Four research vessels” were used, including three “sighting/sampling vessels” and one research base vessel, it said.

“Unfortunately, the research activities were interrupted several times by Sea Shepherd, which directed violent sabotage activities against Japanese research vessels.”

-1 ( +10 / -11 )

That means they succeeded getting the whales and ss was lost.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

http://www.stuff.co.nz/science/9584384/Antarctic-minke-whales-can-possibly-be-fished

This is a report in New Zealand's media. I'd assume at the moment it's being peer reviewed.

Remember that New Zealand is one of the staunchest opponents of Japan's whaling.

0 ( +9 / -9 )

All against the killing of whales should contribute to a fund in support of the Sea Shepherd in ensuring that this practice is stopped for good.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The IWC site shows numbers here, they are talking 360K or more whales with 95% certainty.

You know what they say about lies, damned lies and statistics?

Another way to say the exact same thing is

The IWC site shows numbers here, they are talking 730K or less whales with 95% certainty.

But anyway, those figures are 10 years old and today's report says that Japanese whaling research papers submitted to the commission – based on analysis from “scientific” whaling cruises – suggest more than 2 million minkes are in the area south of Australia and New Zealand.

It gave Japan permission to carry out whaling “biopsy sampling and photo-id work” in the Ross Sea this month.

“The use of consistent protocols over time makes this series of cruises a valuable resource, not least for analysing ice effects,” it said.

It's interesting to note that the IWC understood that they would be working in the Ross Sea. Yet yesterday the SS claimed that was NZ territory (something that NZ has said was factually incorrect)

-3 ( +7 / -10 )

WilliB, it was mentioned elsewhere today that the IWC got a report published with advice from their scientific advisers that the minke whales are numerous and could be "fished".

The IWC site shows numbers here, they are talking 360K or more whales with 95% certainty.

http://iwc.int/estimate

Admittedly I'm taking a wild guess here, but do you suppose the scientists on this panel agreeing on these numbers are "Japanese whalers"?

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Seasheperd fights with killers of sealife all over the world.

No they don't. The tactics they use again the Japanese in the Southern Ocean aren't used in any of their other 'campaigns'. Because they believe they can get away with it in the Southern Ocean, but believe in the other areas they operate the same actions would lead to being arrested. And being cowards at heart, they don't want to be arrested, witness Watson's fleeing from custody.

-5 ( +7 / -13 )

The recent IWC meeting was highly critical of the SS for directing violent sabotage activities against Japanese research vessels

They also suggest that Antarctic Minke Whales can possibly be fished.

-3 ( +9 / -12 )

This is so tiresome. No progress from either side. Japanese will never give this up as long as "outsiders" are telling them what to do.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

@Hide Suzuki

Another reason to eat more whale meat although I don't even particularly like it. If I can offend one SS member or supporter by eating them, then that's a good enough reason for me to continue the tradition.

So you would quite happily see whales slaughtered and the decks awash with their blood... just to annoy SS and their supporters? Are you serious? Is the life of another intelligent creature that meaningless to you?

2 ( +10 / -8 )

Oldman,

" These cowards know they can only get away with these sorts of things when it comes to Japan. "

That is factually wrong. Inform yourself about the ongoing conflagrations between SS and Faroese and Icelandic whalers.

The only difference is that the Faorese and Icelanders stay closer to home and actually dont sail half around the world to keep their "tradition" alive. Also, they both are honest enough to call it "whaling" and not "research".

7 ( +14 / -7 )

Hide Suzuki: "Pretty much. Extremists create extremists on the other side, hate creates hate."

Well, at least you can admit your motivation for doing things is to simply make others upset. Good on you, I guess. You're right about it being a two-way street, though, which kind of contradicts the "I'm right and if you don't agree I'll try to make you angry" attitude. Both the whalers (and Japan by allowing it, and ESPECIALLY for pretending it's 'science'!) and SS have their wrong-doings, but Japan is by far the worse of the two evils. So, go ahead and eat some whale if you think it will make me angry -- heaven knows the government has most of what is caught rotting in freezers anyway and they need your business.

oldman: ""These cowards know they can only get away with these sorts of things when it comes to Japan."

Just shows how limited your research is, or how limited your objectivity at least. SS engages in all sorts of other activities beyond trying to prevent Japanese whalers from their 'research'; you're just a little less likely to hear about it on JAPAN TODAY when they do!

-2 ( +11 / -13 )

Damien15

They are braving the cold and dangers to save our worlds diminishing sealife.

The minke whale, along with other whale species Japan hunts, isn't endangered and stocks have increased to the point that sustainable commercial hunting can resume. So, besides ratings and other self-serving reasons, why is Sea Shepherd risking their lives, as well as others', in the Southern Ocean? Kind of makes them out to be stupid no?

2 ( +10 / -8 )

fxgai:

" This is true! But what is the big issue anyway? Even the scientific advisers are telling the IWC that there are loads of minke whales. "

Which "scientific advisors"? Can you name a few of those, except the Japanese whalers err "scientists" themselves?

6 ( +13 / -7 )

Oldman,

"These cowards know they can only get away with these sorts of things when it comes to Japan."

Seasheperd fights with killers of sealife all over the world. Japan is one of the most violent encounters they have. They are braving the cold and dangers to save our worlds diminishing sealife. So basically, you don't know what you're talking about.

-1 ( +11 / -12 )

@SmithInJapan

"So your prime motivation for doing something is to offend those whom you disagree with? "

Pretty much. Extremists create extremists on the other side, hate creates hate. Paul Watson is certainly expert at that, so he hasn't helped preserving whales that much but he doesn't care, as long as some people worship the d-bag.

2 ( +18 / -16 )

sea shepherd= thugs of the sea.

These cowards know they can only get away with these sorts of things when it comes to Japan.

-1 ( +18 / -19 )

Hide Suzuki: "If I can offend one SS member or supporter by eating them, then that's a good enough reason for me to continue the tradition"

So your prime motivation for doing something is to offend those whom you disagree with? Well, that certainly makes your argument for whaling and eating whale more correct! It is, though, an honest reflection of how many Japanese who are pro-whaling feel. 95% or so don't want to eat it, any young person I know would thumb their nose at it in favor of McD's, and yet some near 50% were against the movie The Cove or feel that foreign nations are attacking Japanese culture. Id est, your reaction is that and only that -- you will eat something you don't like to make angry people who have perfectly valid protests. Nice argument.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Medieval practice, from a medieval time requiring tax dollars to sustain it.

0 ( +11 / -11 )

rickyvee,

japanese people may not care about whaling, but i'm sure they care about a group of people trying to tell them what to do, especially if what they are doing is legal.

This is true! But what is the big issue anyway? Even the scientific advisers are telling the IWC that there are loads of minke whales.

Have Sea Shepherd not been reading JT to see the articles about depleted tuna stocks? If they were harping on about that and attacking tuna fisheries I could kind of understand, but I just struggle to get it given that they have their knickers in a twist about some whales which are not even endangered.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

how about the ecoterrorists stop making such a big deal about whaling, and japan just might stop whaling on their own? trying to force a country to do your bidding will only result in that country digging in their heels. japanese people may not care about whaling, but i'm sure they care about a group of people trying to tell them what to do, especially if what they are doing is legal.

-5 ( +11 / -16 )

Disillusioned,

Can anybody else see the fuzzy logic in this situation?

I know it's unpopular to say this but I'll say it anyway knowing full well I'll be thumbed down by the harsh crowd here at JT!

The weirdest thing to me in all this is that there's an "international whaling organization" which despite it's own name, doesn't allow any commercial whaling, even though it's own scientific advisors are telling it that there are enough minke whales to support a fishery.

Under such circumstances, it requires some fuzzy logic to justify sanctuaries and commercial whaling bans for these apparently numerous minke whales. If anything, I worry about the unintended consequences for the rest of the ecosystem from such seemingly pointless and unnecessary measures. At least, I can't see how Japanese people eating some miniscule number of these whales could be such a terrible thing.

Japan is blatantly exploiting and plundering a resource they had no hand in creating and doing it for profit.

To be fair, you'd have to admit that humans all over the world exploit naturally renewable resources and try to make a profit from it. Without use of such commodities, the global economy and everything human societies have created would simply not exist.

I just don't see why minke whales are supposed to be different from all these other types of naturally renewable resources used by humans. Maybe someone can explain it to me, without any of the fuzzy logic!

3 ( +11 / -8 )

Yes, they may very well have proven that commercial whaling is viable FOR JAPAN! But there are 40 or 50 other countries that 'used to' hunt whales and no longer need to because they have evolved and realized that, whales are worth more money alive than dead. If Japan can prove that commercial whaling is viable for every nation that wants to hunt whales then they have a case, but doing it only to prove their own needs is wrong!

You really don't understand quotas do you?

-6 ( +8 / -14 )

Great news SS! It's time for Japan to call it a day and start whale watching businesses. Much better for all.

1 ( +13 / -12 )

Course you can but you can't process your catch if the factory ship is boxed in.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

MILITANT GROUP... nah its not me, it's in article.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Since then the Japanese fleet has split up and their operations have been disrupted, the activist group said.

You cover more ocean if you split up.

2 ( +10 / -8 )

I hope they're just getting whales somewhere else.

-7 ( +12 / -18 )

Whale was one of the few ingredients I saw Iron Chef Japan judges turn their noses to. I think there's some assumption that it's not a controversial subject in Japan, when it is. It goes beyond just lack of interest.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Another reason to eat more whale meat although I don't even particularly like it. If I can offend one SS member or supporter by eating them, then that's a good enough reason for me to continue the tradition

-18 ( +19 / -37 )

Yep, the "fuzzy logic" is clear to most countries. However the politicians in the US and elsewhere who do have the power to make Japan listen won`t jeopardise their economic interests with Japan to do so. Herein lies the problem

1 ( +10 / -9 )

Jayman - and it seems that they have "proven' this

Yes, they may very well have proven that commercial whaling is viable FOR JAPAN! But there are 40 or 50 other countries that 'used to' hunt whales and no longer need to because they have evolved and realized that, whales are worth more money alive than dead. If Japan can prove that commercial whaling is viable for every nation that wants to hunt whales then they have a case, but doing it only to prove their own needs is wrong!

-1 ( +13 / -14 )

Disillusioned: "Can anybody else see the fuzzy logic in this situation?"

I think pretty much everyone in the world who knows about the issue can see this, but you get the knee-jerk reactionists who fall back on the 'it's an attack on Japanese culture!' argument when you prove it's not actually about the science at all. It suddenly becomes not science, but... ummm... the ancient... uh... cultural tradition of whaling... errr... with grenade-tipped harpoons... in the, uh, Souther Ocean in... ummm... massive diesel ships. They've been doing all that for thousands of years, right? So who are we to say their cultural tradition of whaling for meat isn't science? They probably ask each other if it's 'umai' or not, right? That's a kind of science!

2 ( +19 / -17 )

Great news, I hope they stay on the run and this is the last year for their whaling operations

0 ( +14 / -14 )

and it seems that they have "proven' this - I can imagine folks will be mighty upset about it.... Such a pity. A friend of mine recently returned from Samoa and told me that there is an abundance of whale meat being dumped there by the Japanese.... along with monetary aid. Samoa seems set to vote in line with Japanese desires on the IWC

1 ( +11 / -10 )

Jaymann

However, they openly state the purpose of their 'research' is to prove commercial whaling is viable and they are hunting the whales in a sanctuary that was set up to save whales from commercial hunting.

As in accordance with the IWCs charter.

-2 ( +12 / -14 )

“The Nisshin Maru is on the run and unable to stop and whale in its self-designated whale-poaching grounds,”

Interesting choice of words 'poaching grounds'. This whale sanctuary was set up as a conservation area for whales by the IWC along with a commercial whaling ban. Japan was given permission to hunt a small number of whales for research purposes. However, they openly state the purpose of their 'research' is to prove commercial whaling is viable and they are hunting the whales in a sanctuary that was set up to save whales from commercial hunting. Can anybody else see the fuzzy logic in this situation? Japan is blatantly exploiting and plundering a resource they had no hand in creating and doing it for profit. Yet, they'll call SS pirates? Seriously?

5 ( +20 / -15 )

Heda

the IWC (mentioned in the article above btw...) just announced they may possibly suggest a return to whaling of Mi nke whales in the Southern Sanctuary. Japanese "research data" puts the herd at about 2million.... whether or not that data can be trusted is open to debate of course - but it certainly is an interresting developement.

4 ( +10 / -6 )

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