Sea Shepherd says it's ready for aggression from Japan whalers

No one would care if Japan just hunted in its own economic zone, as is traditional.

Sounds like the Sea Shepherd fund raising campaign is getting into full swing.

Fingers crossed for an ICJ decision soon, just to make things interesting.

Ridiculous, these guys keep prodding pushing and harassing of course the one they are prodding pushing and harassing will become more violent.

Eco nut terrorist group.

Stop the whaling by all means but do it legally and with out the terror tactics, there is a proper process.

They can use water cannon to stop the pirates and everything will be fine

Sea Shepherd don't use water cannons, although maybe they should. Here's wishing them every success against the Japanese pirates.

I don't care if they are saving whales, kittens or puppy dogs. The actions of Sea shepherded are piracy on the high seas. They are akin to religious zealots and are a danger to all around them. They have reached that evangical high where they cannot believe anything they do could not be wrong even if it costs lives. They should be treated like the pirates and criminals they are and punished accordingly.

@Jorge Gonzalezn I think Darwin didnt mean that using guns, harpoons, huge engine powered boats to chase down prey as part of evolutuion. never has there been a species more destructive than humans, our intelligence has taken us out of the realm of normal evolutionary process.

Sea Shepherd don't use water cannons

Last season they did. The whailers didn't like it.

I say they should legalize the whaling. I've lived in Japan for over 20 years an NEVER heard anyone say "Hey, let's go eat some whale.". Most Japanese don't eat whale. This so called "research" is the only reason that I think whaling is possible. I'm assuming that its funded buy the government or fishery or something. If it were 100% business with zero funding, I say that the fishermen wouldn't go hunting. Not enough profit involved. Then the hunting will naturally come to a halt.

Fact is that the whales cath is calculated to see if whaling can be resumed someday.

Resumed?? It never stopped.

Sea Shepherd wants to avoid aggression at any cost by sailing outside the Australian EEZ, pursuing the Japanese whaling fleet and harassing the their ships. Yup, sure sounds like SS is looking to avoid aggression.

Go get 'em, SS! Prove that they're science -- err.... eons-long tradition of killing whales in the South Sea with diesel ships (once you point out the faulty logic in terms of science) -- is wrong. The government can never seem to decide if it's for science or tradition, so don't let it be either excuse for making money while the carcasses rot in freezers.

Aggression from Japanese sailors? I thought they were all mild-mannered scientists, just doing Arctic research.

Sea Shepherd says it's ready for aggression against Japan whalers

There, I fixed the headline.

There you have it.

One signatory of the "Declaration for the ICJ Compulsory Jurisdiction", Australia takes another signatory party, i.e. Japan to the ICJ.

Japan did not have to agree, nor had any choice on the matter.

Judgement WILL BE BINDING on both parties.

If only China and Korea supporters could deduct the logical inferences!

japan is quite unique in its actions that lead to outside complaints, whether it is yasukuni or the whales or disputes, they are all quite unique in their own interpretations...as a developed country, i think it is quite proper for a developed country as well like Australia to take up this role and refrain the hunters to not take too much before its too late. thanks to australia for that.

Sending another check off to Sea Shepherd Australia today!

Japanese are a softer target for theses types, They don't like playing with the Russians any more because they get their ship stormed and thrown in jail for their hooliganism.

@Mike OBriean

Where is someone claiming that? Ah, did you actually read any of the other comments on this discussion?

No they aren't. Most are brainwashed sheep, while the leaders are egotistical hypocrites.

Bull pucky. No body is brainwashing them. They make a conscious choice to quit their jobs or take a year of uni to do what they believe is the right thing to do. We might not agree with that but everybody has the right to pursue that which they believe to be important to them.

They don't make any money, they don't get any fame, it's dangerous and their often scared s#$tless. They simply want to protect a wild animal from being tortured and killed - we may not approve of the way they go about it, but at least they're not sitting at home winging on a news forum - they're getting off their butts and doing something which is not for their own benefit which more than most people can say.

Whales are no different than any other animal. If they're endangered then there are rules in place to protect them. If they're not endangered and there's a market for them, then all bets are off. If the Sea Schlepers were TRULY interested in stopping Japan's "scientific harvesting" they'd get the IWC to rescind the provision for it. Then when Japan took to the sea again (and you know they would), the other COUNTRIES would come down on Japan, not some eco-terrorist organizarion. Doing it that way doesn't garner the Sea Schlepers any headlines, though. With them it's all about the headlines.

You can just see the tip of the Sydney Opera House behind the SS ship in that picture.

smithinjapan,

The 'tradition' was never in the Southern Ocean until recently, and hence it is not at all tradition.

If I may, I don't think anyone says that "whaling in the Southern Ocean is a Japanese tradition", but whale meat cuisine does seem to be a part of Japanese culture. This culture existed in parts of Japan hundreds of years prior to modern pelagic whaling methods being developed, did it not? There is a lot of whaling history between those old days and now, I don't think one can disregard the long chain of historical events in between.

As for the Southern Ocean specifically, tradition is not the point, is it? The point is that the IWC is the international body to work through if you want to catch whales there. Of course, Australia has taken it's case to the ICJ that they feel Japan is cheating on IWC rules.

And lest we forget, Ossan, it's supposedly for science. "Tradition" is the fall-back excuse when you point out that it's obviously NOT for science...

If it were obvious, the ICJ would have ruled already, don't you think? Why is it taking so long if it is obvious? Just quietly, I'd be surprised if the ICJ does not come down more or less on Japan's side.

The International Court has not told the Japanese to stop whaling. Pretty much every sane organisation, including the IWC, has told the SS to desist in what they're doing.

The Japanese are following due process. the SS aren't.

Not difficult

The truth is Sea Shepherd is a violent protest group that regularly throws bottles and flares at people and ram their ships. In fact they have inflicted chemical burns on the crewmen of a Japanese whaling ship with butyric acid. They routinely break national and international laws in the process of obstructing the operations of ships and attacking their crew. Sea Shepherd members have been wanted, arrested, and convicted on several occasions.

Yes @ Akkio on many of your points....

International Waters are International Waters...

The Mammals wouold argue....

@Scrote, sorry but the Sea Shepherds DO use water cannons. And sorry again but the Japanese don't meet the definition of pirates while the Sea Shepherds do and have been called so by the court.

@aussie-musashi, would that be the Federal Court order that said the Japanese are not bound by Australian law and that the order has no effect and is unenforceable? Also Sea Shepherd has no authority to enforce anything, they are not law enforcement.

@Clinton Meskanen, just whose 12 nautical waters are the Southern Ocean? Considering none of where they whale is within 12 nautical miles of any land other than Antarctica, which by the ATS isn't owned by anybody, they are in international waters which by the UN belongs just as much to them as anybody else.

Every year they have been escalating their violence against Sea Shepherd.

They claim this every year, if it were true they would be using anti-ship missles by this point.

The truth is Sea Shepherd is a violent protest group that regularly throws bottles and flares at people and ram their ships. In fact they have inflicted chemical burns on the crewmen of a Japanese whaling ship with butyric acid. They routinely break national and international laws in the process of obstructing the operations of ships and attacking their crew.

Yup. That's how they're effective. "Law" and "rights" here are quite clearly unresolved, and until they are, Japan's yearly hunt will remain a battle of wills - and attrition. SS has a very deep and broad base of support, while every yen Japan spends on the hunt is that taken from more pressing issues.

@igloobuyer

People claiming SS are some eco-maniac pirate thugs bent on violence and attacking the Japanese simply because they enjoy violence

Where is someone claiming that?

You will soon see they are pretty normal

No they aren't. Most are brainwashed sheep, while the leaders are egotistical hypocrites.

whalers catch is less than previous years with this year the lowest ever at only 103 of a 1,350 quota. I don't call that harm...

If you're trying to stop whaling then you need the IWC to end it. As long as SS is busy causing governments to go after them there is no chance of real change. Notice also that SS isn't doing anything about Norway or Iceland or even the Inuit (not that they catch much) so really, why does SS chase the Japanese around? They aren't any closer to their stated goal of stopping all whaling.

With them it's all about the headlines.

Exactly. And money. Watson has enough money stashed away that any of us could retire. Why isn't he using it for international lobbying?

SS really isn't about whales. It's more about forcing people to do something without consensus. Japan isn't going to be forced to do anything. Just ask China. SS isn't accomplishing much and has given the pro-whaling countries something to complain about rather than having to sit down and listen. SS has deflected the discussion from the real topic. They are narcissistic to the point of having forgotten what they set out to accomplish.

not sure if it would work, but why not just tail the whalers and emit some annoying sound that would turn the whales away from the location? Surely there has to be some kind of sonar emitting machine that isnt too expensive, well less than what they spend on repairs.

Would be such a peaceful way to disturb their hunt and no1 would get injured

Perhaps a few experienced underwater explosive experts will do the job and stop Japan from ever whaling again.

Give them hell SS!

@ Mari - I'm Australian and frankly don't even care all that much about this issue. I'm against SS and their actions. Please don't assume all Australians are in favour of SS. Query: Would heroes really use such stupid methods such as ramming boats just to get what they want? And what is your understanding of the word "invasion"? If anything it's just trespassing and if it's in international waters then it's not even trespassing any more. So as long as it's international waters everything's fine~

Ossan: "That all sounds very nice except that Australia does not have any jurisdiction over the international waters where the research whaling is taking place. "

But Japan does, right? They can funnel Tohoku disaster money to put COAST GUARDS in the Southern Ocean, and all the while claim it is for ancient tradition??

gelendestrasseDEC. 17, 2013 - 02:21AM JST As long as SS continues to use tactics that cross the line between harassment and harm people are going to be able to dismiss their argument that whaling should be ended. They are doing more harm than good. Not that you could convince them of that.

They're doing more harm than good?! Ever year the whalers catch is less than previous years with this year the lowest ever at only 103 of a 1,350 quota. I don't call that harm (unless your a Japanese whaler), I call that good. Good for whales, and for the prospects of hunted wild animals the world over.

The real victims of the actions of Sea Shepherd behavior are the whales, as the Society has diverted the worlds attention away from saving the whales to an argument of whether or not Sea Shepherd is engaging in illegal activity. Pathetically, Sea Shepherd operates through deceit of the ignorant. Their claim to provide policing activities has no foundation, as it requires authority that Sea Shepherd does not have; they are by definition vigilantes. Moreover, Sea Shepherd has solicited funds through other misleading assertions as well. They have incited interest by asserting that the Japanese are murderous criminals, which also has no legal basis. Under treaty law, breaking a treaty is akin to a civil offense, not criminal, and killing an animal is not considered murder. Additionally, treaty law prohibits direct action against violators, rather, the allegations must be brought before the jurisdictional tribunal, which in this case would be the International Whaling Commission (IWC), who has dismissed the allegations. Sea Shepherd made no appearance to attempt to sway them. Under treaty law, taking direct action of violations without proper authorization, which Sea Shepherd does not have, is strictly prohibited. In 2006, the IWC changed the law to prohibit anyone from engaging in activities that risk human lives or vessels. Under Maritime law, no ship may sail without proper registry and/or commission from a designated country, and Sea Shepherd has no registry and/or commission.

I think the whalers should be referenced as "poachers".

Based on one part gut feeling and two parts ignorance?

The courts have so far ruled otherwise. You know, the people whose job it is to make these kinds of determinations.

Japan often claims that their whaling is "traditional", or cultural. However, if sending a factory ship half way around the world to kill whales is considered "traditional" then so is Sea Shepherd's "traditional" obstruction of Japanese whaling activities. I wonder why the Japanese government condemns the "traditional" activities of others, whilst shrilly demanding their right to pursue their own "traditional" activities thousands of miles from Japan?

smithinjapan,

I thought 'science' was the point, but I guess we all know it's a pretty thinly veiled guise, eh?

As I said in my previous comment, if this were really true, would it not be the case that the ICJ would have returned it's decision already, before the whaling starts for this year? What do you think the ICJ are waiting for, if this is obviously a thinly veiled guise?

aussie-musashi,

Which regulation exists that specifies that traditional whaling must be conducted with spear and rowboat in home waters?

OssanAmerica,

The methods or location are not the "tradition".

Exactly. Perhaps "culture" is a better word for it. But Japan's relationship with whales does appear to have it's roots back hundreds of years ago. Over time, new improved methods of whaling and so forth were developed and introduced. That doesn't mean that it ceased to become "culture" or "tradition" at some specific point in time, only that it has evolved over time. Perhaps in future, it may be the case that it evolves back away from using whales in the Southern Ocean.

As for Australia, if they really don't like it in the Southern Ocean, they probably want to try to bargain with Japan and show respect and tolerance, rather their "high-and-mighty" approach. That might make the Japanese feel more inclined to evolve their whaling culture back away from the Southern Ocean? I suppose Australia may try this if as expected their ICJ case is lost, although they will have scored an own goal, and Japan may not be forgiving.

Mike O'Brien,

So how easy it all connects when you don't try and cherry pick individual items but look at the whole.

I find myself in agreement with your points, very clear and logical.

Australians view sea shepherd as heroes. Protecting our AUSTRALIAN territorial waters...not international waters. Japan invading again under guise of RESEARCH is not viewed favourably here...and deserves attack...even if it IS only BUTTER OIL ! Butyric Acid pH 6.5 does not burn any more than soy sauce.....perhaps read a science book and review what you are being told.

Whether you like it or not and whether you agree or not the fact is the Japanese whalers are acting legally, (they are allowed to hunt whales for research) the SS mungs are acting illegally and use violent and hazardous tactis.

SS group are behaving in a dangerous manner and as some one else said I'd like to see them try what they do with a Russian fleet, then tell me its all ok.

I think the whalers should be referenced as "poachers". And I believe there is a kind of sonar the Sea Shepherd can use to scare off the whales so they can get away. There is some discussion in the link below from Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_mammals_and_sonar

As long as SS continues to use tactics that cross the line between harassment and harm people are going to be able to dismiss their argument that whaling should be ended. They are doing more harm than good. Not that you could convince them of that.

seems the one causing the escalation is SS. the japanese should just treat them as pirates and sink then.

No they aren't. Most are brainwashed sheep, while the leaders are egotistical hypocrites.

It's funny you saying this about the SS, because it's probably what they think about the people of Japan!

Ossan: "It seems that many anti-Japan posters here..."

Ah, and there comes the expected undermining of your own comments. You know, someone who is anti-whaling is not necessarily "anti-Japanese". Are you suggesting cleo is some kind of J-basher?

"The "tradition" is the practice of taking whales and having whale meat as part of the diet albeit limited."

The 'tradition' was never in the Southern Ocean until recently, and hence it is not at all tradition. And lest we forget, Ossan, it's supposedly for science. "Tradition" is the fall-back excuse when you point out that it's obviously NOT for science... unless the science is 'mayonnaise vs. soy-sauce'.

Exactly. If it`s tradition, according to Yoshimasa Hayashi, the fisheries minister, then it should be conducted in homewaters. With spear and rowing boat

@aussie-musashi, if the whales are sent home with anything more than 0% it will be a fail for the SSCS. And given their refusal to confront the Northern Pacific portion of the Japanese whale hunt, which usually gets 100%, it is already a fail for the SSCS.

Hi guys, whales sushi also sounds good and must be very healthy!

“Every year they have been escalating their violence against Sea Shepherd.

that's funny because the j-gov't are saying the same thing about you ecoterrorists.. i guess all's fair in love and war.

SS started as a noble cause. Now it's a real fight. One cause against another. But does SS have any idea at all how ungodly stubborn their adversary is?

It's simple.... the SS people are NOT the terrorists.... they are defending... If you realy want Whale?.. get it in your 12 nautical waters.. not everyone elses.. that also goes for your radiation....

＠Clinton - If it's international waters and they have permission, isn't it legal...? Apart from that, animals can't argue unless they're human which is a human's good and bad point. Sure the Japanese might be hiding behind the law but the SS are trying to hide behind their own justice as well. I'm sure they have all the time on their hands to talk to the ICJ instead of pulling these pointless stunts. And it's not like all the whalers are bad. A job is a job. And don't say they can just find another one. Finding a job in Japan is hell. And then the SS just go and decide to even injure the crew without a second thought. They should think a little more before deciding to do things like that. It's like throwing a tantrum just because you can't get what you want. Settle it like adults. Words don't always work on the first go but pushing your cause means nothing if you don't even have the will to try again and even go as far as underhanded methods.

SS has earned a reputation as Eco-terrorists for stopping the Japanese pirates pillaging a resource they hand no hand in creating. Yes, the Australian government does allow SS ships to birth in Australian harbors. But, it is illegal to birth whaling ships in Australian ports. This means, if one of the whaling vessels is damaged and needs repairs it has to be towed to South America or back to Japan. On the other hand, if one of the SS ships gets damaged it can be towed back to Australia for repairs. Let the games begin!

Overchan, "I want whales to be almost extinct. Only 2 or 3 for amusement."

I want people like you to be extinct, just 2 or three left for museums to show how cruel some humans used to be.

fxgai: "As for the Southern Ocean specifically, tradition is not the point, is it?"

I thought 'science' was the point, but I guess we all know it's a pretty thinly veiled guise, eh?

I thought 'science' was the point

And that might be the problem, people refusing to actually 'think' despite their claims.

I don't think it can be argued that the eating of whale meat is traditional in parts of Japan. With the moratorium, Japan can't commercially whale to supply meat for those wishing to continue this tradition.

Since the moratorium was written to be a temporary measure, it contains provisions to remove species from the moratorium when/if data shows that species can be sustainably hunted. So by research, Japan collects data to attempt to prove that some species can be removed from the moratorium and thus allow commercial hunting to supply meat to those desiring to follow the tradition.

So how easy it all connects when you don't try and cherry pick individual items but look at the whole.

Mike O'Brien, I have to disagree. That eating of whale meat, while limited to coastal areas of availability as are most seafoods prior to modern refrigeration, is indeed traditional in Japan.

"The first record of active whaling in Japanese literature can be found in "Geiki" (Record of Whaling), written sometime between 1764 A.D. and 1772 A.D. According to this, it was practiced sometime between 1570 A.D. and 1573 A.D. by people of Mikawanokuni-Utsumi (Aichi Prefecture) using seven or eight boats at a time and hand harpoons." http://luna.pos.to/whale/jwa_trad.html

That said, it is the practice of whaling and the consumption of whale meat, however now limited. that is the tradition. The methods or location are not the "tradition".However, this argument is neither here nor there. Japan made no reference to "tradition" whatsoever in their answers at the ICJ to Australia's claim and will have no bearing on it's ruling.

What you stated as regards the Moratorium on commercial whaling and the need for the IWC Scientific Committee to have at hand scientific data to make determinations and recommendations is absolutely correct.

@aussie-musashi, you are wrong about your claims about Japanese whaling and being arrested. If a Japanese whaling vessel entered an Australian port , the VESSEL would be impounded. And except maybe for the captain, who would be liable for the decision to enter port, not a single Japanese crewmember would be arrested for anyting to do with whaling.

Your reliance on the Federal Court ruling (not high court despite many people continuing to use that term) is grossly misplaced. That ruling was in a CIVIL case between the whaling company and the Humane Society, Australia itself was not even a party to the case. Thus no criminal charges or issues where involved. Also if you would bother to read the ruling you would see that the judge said in his own ruling that the ruling is unenforceable because Japan (along with about 98% of the countries in the world) don't recognize Australia's claim. This is also why Australia did not bring up their claimed EEZ in their case at the ICJ, they knew the claim would be laughed out of court.

Once again the whalers will be sent home with 10 percent of their quota, and a great victory for Sea Shepherd. I once knew a Japanese detective working in the fraud division. He told me that he couldn`t understand why Japan stubbornly persisted with whaling. Now, if he was able to see that clearly, then there is some hope for the great country that is Japan

Who is buying this? It's suspected to be quite contaminated and is expensive, to boot.

Tobacco is full of contaminants and relatively expensive, to boot, yet plenty of people buy it. Tuna is also full of contaminants and expensive.

I look forward to the day when the SS and crew can go on to other ocean issues and enjoy the sight of many whales enjoying their lives in the sea.

That day is here. Well it has actually been here for at least a decade. Since the about 1980 many whale species have shown steady increases in population. Most of the rest have had steady population levels. And the few that show decreases aren't being hunted.

If Sea Shepherd use questionable tactics, it is only because of the pathetic farce of so-called "research" claimed by the Japanese.

Those who then buy whale meat in Japan simply contribute to the lies and distortions of GOJ and their industrial allies.

Just make it impossible for the Japanese "research" ships to sell whale meat or other residual products from their killing of whales, and you will see the so-called "research" end.

Just make it impossible for the Japanese "research" ships to sell whale meat or other residual products from their killing of whales, and you will see the so-called "research" end.

You may be right and many other anti-whalers have made the same basic comment. Yet not a single one has done a single thing to make that change. No anti-whaling country has proposed making a change to the IWC regulations and I haven't seen a single NGO pushing any government to make such a proposal.

Interesting to read some of the anti Sea Shepherd comments. The Japanese have been ordered to halt whaling on Australian waters by the Australian High Court, the Japanese have broken the injunction and if they ever set foot on Australian land the crew would all be arrested. The Japanese are the Pirates, operating illegally Killing without reason when will we learn

People claiming SS are some eco-maniac pirate thugs bent on violence and attacking the Japanese simply because they enjoy violence - PLEASE, PLEASE just watch Whale Wars (not great TV but..). You will soon see they are pretty normal, if a little overly sensitive about animal (whale) rights, and somewhat naive, people.

They are mostly just naive kids! Don't take my word for it - watch it on YouTube!

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=whale+wars&sm=3

Beyond ridiculous. Hope the ICJ is able to rule in favor of leaving the whales alone. In my own local fine grocery store, there has lately been a lone offering of Iceland whale. I look at it and feel sorry for the whale. Who is buying this? It's suspected to be quite contaminated and is expensive, to boot. I look forward to the day when the SS and crew can go on to other ocean issues and enjoy the sight of many whales enjoying their lives in the sea.

No one would care if Japan just hunted in its own economic zone, as is traditional.

Never heard of Taiji? All the protests over dolphin hunting? Heh, yeah, it depends what they're hunting, if its cute loveable dolphins or whales, then ya know the eco-nuts are going to protest.

I feel fairly neutral on this. I mean, the Japanese have permission to hunt whales so it's not illegal. But then again it is fairly cruel in society's eyes but then people don't hesitate to kill insects or kill animals for food. Being hypocritical by the standards of society is...kinda stupid. And I've heard alot of bad things about SS so I don't really support them. If you're gonna do something, do it legally but then again the law is created to benefit the maker and society in general so too bad if it isn't always fair. However I'm against the SS on this topic. Resorting to force is their definition of "Justice". If so, they should prepare to be fired back at. Japan should just fire a harpoon at a boat in self-defence. or throw a large net on them. A large net might be more interesting though.

Australians view Sea Shepherd as heroes. Protecting our AUSTRALIAN territorial waters...not international waters. Japan invading again under guise of RESEARCH is not viewed favourably here...and deserves attack...even if it IS only BUTTER OIL ! Butyric Acid pH 6.5 does not burn any more than soy sauce.....perhaps read a science book and review/research what you are being told.....though 'Japan Today' seems to 'Report' the news instead of 'Create' it. Lets see if an Anti-Whaling comment is censored or even gets through on a Japanese website to be sure it is a genuine forum.

@Clinto Meskanen, virtually every animal eaten by humans are sentient. And no it is not 'kinf of like rhino horn and bear blood'. It is kind of like tuna and cod and herring and lobster and crab.

Japanese pirates pillaging a resource they hand no hand in creating Sorry but the court has stated that Sea Shepherd are pirates, something no court has ever said about the whalers. And what is the wnining about having no hand in creating? Do tuna fishermen have any hand in craeting the tuna? Or better yet do miners have any hand in creating iron ore?

Please try and present at least a minimally cogent argument.

Pedro VellaDec. 16, 2013 - 10:01PM JST Interesting to read some of the anti Sea Shepherd comments. The Japanese have been ordered to halt whaling on >Australian waters by the Australian High Court, the Japanese have broken the injunction and if they ever set foot on >Australian land the crew would all be arrested. The Japanese are the Pirates, operating illegally Killing without reason >when will we learn

Let's not be spreading false information.That all sounds very nice except that Australia does not have any jurisdiction over the international waters where the research whaling is taking place. Hence, the whalers have broken no injunction, nor can they be arrested. They would have to conduct whaling in Australian waters, in which case they would have been stopped very easily ages ago.

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Good| Bad

What's with all the hype? It's like being misled into watching a boxing match when in fact these two opponents are just slapping each other in the face.

This is World Whaling Entertainment.

They have a tv show. They get alot of money for doing what they do

Just watched the 2 hour Whale Wars speeveryone. t this year's successful campaign (Japanese gave up catching only 300 of the 1000 quota). Those SS people sure got big kahunas that's for sure. There was no throwing anything this year just blocking the access to the fuel tanker. Nishin maru rammed them hard almost sinking them their determination to get fuel. They have up. Heart, passion, smarts and guts beat greed everytime

marcelitoDec. 17, 2013 - 08:02PM JST " It's also genius for Watson to have parlayed Australian nationalism with his eco-terrorist activities so that the average Australian is lead to believe that SSCS is acting for Australian interests."

Not nearly as genius as the J- taxpayer money wasting Department of Agricuture,Forestry and Fisheries portraying >the annual hunt in the Antarctic sanctuary as a tradition, the SSCS actions as an attack on the said Japanese culture >and sovereignty and the wasteful funneling of J- taxpayer money to a couple of inneficient fishing companies that >would have gone under long ago without their governement connections and access to pork barrel funds as efficient >use of public funds. Now that's what I call genius.

Whaling, for any reason, is a marine enterprise and always comes under jurisdiction of a fisheries agency in any country. The "tradition" is the practice of taking whales and having whale meat as part of the diet albeit limited. Where and how is not the "tradition". Research whaling under IWC Article VIII is exempt from recognizing "sanctuaries". If Japanese taxpayer money is being wasted that is THEIR problem to determine and solve. Your argumnts are not what I would call genius.

Once again, the eco-terrorist SS will be throwing glass bottles of acid, ramming other vessels, shooting red phosphorus flares, dragging lines to disable other vessels, and will probably end up sinking one of their own garbage scows again.

The Animal Planet will once again be promoting violence in an effort to increase Animal Planet profits. Violence sells and Animal Planet can be very proud of themselves for capitalizing on that fact.

Watson and the garbage scow captains will be once again be pocketing their share of the donations made by the eco-terrorist supporters who donate money to protect Watson's lifestyle.

The eco-terrorist SS once again claims that they are prepared for aggression but mainly because that's what the eco-terrorist SS always brings to the table.

I can hardly wait to see what new lies and tales of the truly bizarre Watson will be spinning to the media.

@Storm R: I don`t see the whaling fleet waiting for the ICJ ruling to be handed down, do you? Do you see the whaling fleet following due process?

@Pedro Vella, would that be the order that the judge who issed it said was unenforceable because most of the world doesn't recognize Australia's claims to those waters, a claim that they specifically refused to even bring up in their recent case at the International Court of Justice? So you mean the Australian waters that aren't Australian.

@Frank Thornton, you are probably correct. Without the government subsidising the whale hunt it would probably end, at least as far as the Southern Ocean. They might continue some near shore whaling in the North Pacific, similar to what Iceland and Norway do in teh North Atlantic.

@smithinjapan. The UN says every country has rights to resources in international waters, basically first come first served. So as OssanAmerica said, yes Japan does have the right to be there and they do have jurisdiction over Japanese flag vessels in international waters.

And as the disaster money was from the Japanese Government, then Yes they can funnel it to put the COAST GUARD in the Southern Ocean.

cleoDec. 17, 2013 - 01:41AM JST "Fact is that the whales cath is calculated to see if whaling can be resumed someday." Resumed?? It never stopped.

Oh come on cleo. You know he means "commercial whaling". And I know you're going to say that the Research Whaling IS commercial whaling but let's let the ICJ make the judgment for us OK?

As far as Im aware, thats how whaling was conducted for many centuries in Japan. Whaling in its current form, with all the modern paraphernalia, has a lifetime of just over a hundred years, about the same length of time thats it`s been conducted in Antarctica. Yet again, Sea Shepherd has the full support of the Australian people, while the whalers face arrest if they set foot in Australia (for breaking the 2007 high court order)

Well, at the end of the day SS are acting with the tacit approval of the Australian government, enforcing the High Court order of 2007. I say if Japan hunts whales, it should do so with rowing boat and spear "traditionally", in its home waters. If it wants to hunt whales in Antarctica, and complain about SS after ramming their ships......boohoo

Go Japan.

Why should we care about whales?

Fact is that there are millions of whales left.

Go SS, will be donating to your war chest.

Both sides are so full of crap. They are all big boys.....let them duke it out on the high seas. I dig the drama.

They can use water cannon to stop the pirates and everything will be fine.

This is hillarious. If whales were carnivores, they wouldn't think twice about hunting and killing a human. Humans have got to be THE ONLY animal on the PLANET stupid enough to care more about another species than the sanctity of it's own species' lives. If whales can't adapt and survive despite the conditions threatening them, then Darwin says let them die. Kill, eat, and be merry.

Butyric Acid pH 6.5 does not burn any more than soy sauce.....perhaps read a science book and review/research what you are being told

Please do read and learn.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency rates and regulates butyric acid as a toxic substance. Personal protective equipment such as rubber or PVC gloves, protective eye goggles, and chemical-resistant clothing and shoes are used to minimize risks when handling butyric acid. Inhalation of butyric acid may result in soreness of throat, coughing, a burning sensation and laboured breathing. Ingestion of the acid may result in abdominal pain, shock, and collapse. Physical exposure to the acid may result in pain, blistering and skin burns, while exposure to the eyes may result in pain, severe deep burns and loss of vision.

smithinjapanDec. 16, 2013 - 11:01PM JST "Ossan: "That all sounds very nice except that Australia does not have any jurisdiction over the international waters where the research whaling is taking place. "

But Japan does, right?

Yes it is called "International Waters". Please look it up.

overchanDec. 17, 2013 - 12:12AM JST Why should we care about whales?

It seems that many anti-Japan posters here are against Japan conducting Research Whaling in what they consider to be "Australian Waters" and couldn't care less if whales were taken somewhere else.

Mari UguessitDec. 16, 2013 - 09:10PM JST Australians view Sea Shepherd as heroes. Protecting our AUSTRALIAN territorial waters...not international waters. >Japan invading again under guise of RESEARCH is not viewed favourably here...and deserves attack..

Clinton MeskanenDec. 16, 2013 - 07:46PM JST It's simple.... the SS people are NOT the terrorists.... they are defending... If you realy want Whale?.. get it in your 12 >nautical waters.. not everyone elses.. that also goes for your radiation....

CrickyDec. 16, 2013 - 05:49PM JST No one would care if Japan just hunted in its own economic zone, as is traditional

It's also genius for Watson to have parlayed Australian nationalism with his eco-terrorist activities so that the average Australian is lead to believe that SSCS is acting for Australian interests.

Fact is that the whales cath is calculated to see if whaling can be resumed someday.

Whales hamburgers sounds good! But of course, be careful to not harm SS staff since Australia is a good friendly country. Just don't like pirates! against delicious food :)

Whales eat fish and crim. Tge less whales the better. They are our enemies. I want whales to be almost extinct. Only 2 or 3 for amusement