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Sea Shepherd warns Japan against resuming whaling

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“We would like to remind the Japanese government that the whales of the Southern Ocean are protected by international law, by Australian law and by Sea Shepherd.

so while the Japanese are supposed to recognize international law, the Sea Shepard is free to break every globally recognized maritime and sea faring rule in the book to stop the whaling... it's a little hard expecting others to uphold the law when you are doing just the opposite....

2 ( +21 / -19 )

This "research" should be audited from beginning to end, preferably by the IWC and a body working on behalf of the ICJ and by independent scientists too. Then there will be no doubts that it is a sham to keep a few more Agricultural Ministry oyaji in amakudari clover.

9 ( +16 / -7 )

Warned by a fat, pompous fool with a fake police badge and a personal chef. What a hoot.

-1 ( +16 / -17 )

Arrest them for threatening.

-1 ( +14 / -15 )

it would resume its Antarctic hunt by cutting annual minke catches by two-thirds to 333.

This inability to stop lying about whaling seems pathological.

What is this rubbish about 'cutting catches by two-thirds' to 333? During the whole of JARPAII, the number of minke killed in the Southern Ocean was around 400 a year; in the final year before the ICJ ruled that the hunt was illegal, they killed 251. There is no 'cut'.

And how does this so-called 'cut' help rectify the ICJ ruling that numbers taken were already far too small for any meaningful scientific research to take place?

8 ( +16 / -8 )

It's interesting to read all the comments that are directed at the leader of Sea Shepherd personally. Whether you like the man or not is irrelevant. The fact is, due to the persistence of SS Japan has not been able to kill their full quoted every year. In the last ten years SS has stopped Japan killing at least 10,000 whales. Yes, their tactics are dangerous, but they are proven effective. The government's of Australia and New Zealand have already expressed their disgust at Japan's resumption of the whale hunt. The Ross sea is an internationally recognized whale sanctuary and nearly one third of Antarctica is recognized as Australian territory giving it a large economic zone around Antarctica. Just because Japan refuses to acknowledge these points does not make their hunt legal. You can be sure that Australia and New Zealand are both exploring every legal option they have to stop Japan's illegal whale hunt. You can also be sure that SS will continue to get my twenty bucks every year.

4 ( +16 / -12 )

It makes no secret of the fact that meat from the mammals—killed ostensibly for research—is processed into food

More boilerplate editorializing by AFP.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

Yes, their tactics are dangerous, but they are proven effective.

so terrorism is fine by you? because that is what it is tantamount to. other countries can disagree with what japan is doing, and they are taking japan to court to stop japan. but what SS is doing is criminal behavior and should not be sanctioned by anyone who lives in a democracy. your personal beliefs are not above the law.

0 ( +13 / -13 )

Japan being its usual arrogant self, like the kid in the sandpit who doesn't get his way, claims he's being bullied but goes ahead in defiance and does what he wants anyway.

Continue to rape the ocean Japan. You won't be happy until you have totally destroyed it. Your whole "we're an island nation and rely on the sea" position just doesn't fly and never has.

Shepherd on SS. You have more respect and do more for this planet than any Japanese politician or the average Japanese Joe who is crippled by apathy.

1 ( +12 / -11 )

“We would like to remind the Japanese government that the whales of the Southern Ocean are protected by international law, by Australian law and by Sea Shepherd". I need to reiterate that quote to highlight the limitless capacity for ridicule of SS ( appropriate acronym). Australia should grow up to reality and stop behaving like a cry baby. There are abundant number of minke, they have no jurisdiction over international waters , the so-called sanctuary is not recognized and they may not impose their values on anybody. Some do not like whales to be captured, some do, some are vegetarians, some vegan, some of us are not. Some NGOs use this issue to raise funds ( fights are common between Greenpeace and SS...) some don't. Some of us eat wallaby, horse meat, cull koalas, some camels, some baby lamb, baby piglets, grasshoppers, some do not. Bottom line is cultural diversity is important and should be respected and fanatics should be out of this debate. Some tolerance is necessary and some balanced is required. Science should be respected and, yes, controls should be in place. Whales will make it. 800 million people will still go to bed hungry and 20 million African children will die of preventable diseases each year. People should have their priorities straight.

1 ( +13 / -12 )

I wish you all the best Sea Shepherd, against the pirates. Time to make a donation

4 ( +15 / -11 )

Australia has a bargaining chip if it so wishes, over Japans insistence of resuming its whaling program, lets now see the strength of it's political system. Maybe Greenpeace should remind them. Japan badly needs the Australians submarine order,--http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c7416a04-68c0-11e5-a57f-21b88f7d973f.html#axzz3svyvIfyD --I wonder how much this will come into play or wether they value the whaling program over its need to full fill its growth in exporting its military hardware. Whales vs Military hardware, can't wait for the result.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Who is Sea Shepherd to issue a warning to a country? They are sounding more like IS now!

-2 ( +10 / -12 )

Good on you Sea Shepard. I love that all these pro japanese whaling supporters don't regard the what they are doing as terrorism! Despite going against countless laws.... Yet the Sea Shepard are terrorists?! Give it a rest!!! I hope these whaling idiots get punished this year!

-4 ( +8 / -12 )

Gareth.

If the whalers are breaking laws is a legal matter and for courts to decide. SS has NO jurisdiction to enforce anything and their actions are thus vigilante/terrorist.

Which country made SS their legal enforcement agency? NONE

3 ( +8 / -5 )

I love whale bacon. So sue me... I have whale bacon whenever I feel like, because I live in Japan, and, guess what, I don't care about others' opinions. Yeah, you're free to thumb down me, I don't care about that either.

-6 ( +9 / -15 )

Minke whales aren't endangered or even at risk of endangerment at all, so why does Aus keep getting their panties bunched up over harvest? As most of Aus and NZ exports consists of beef (especially to Japan) and mutton, I'd say this isa case of throwing rocks in a glass house. Aside from the embarrassing"we own Antarctica!" rubbish which borders on rivaling even Chinese amounts of territorial whining.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

Just exactly what research is claimed to be being undertaken here?

Quite apart from any other arguments blatantly proceeding with this killing and the killing of dolphins, both of which would appear to fly in the face of World opinion, can hardly advance the cause of attempting to promote Japan as a great place to visit.

There have been many things through the history of civilization (cannibalism, head shrinking, slavery, apartheid etc) which could be claimed to be cultural or traditional but which become generally become unacceptable to most people over a period of time.....

1 ( +7 / -6 )

Disillusioned

...nearly one third of Antarctica is recognized as Australian territory giving it a large economic zone around Antarctica.

Pure fantasy and delusional at best. Of the 196 countries in the word, a whopping 4 (UK, New Zealand, France, and Norway) recognize Australia's ridiculous territorial claims on Antarctica and the associated maritime EEZ. Australia and New Zealand have absolutely no direct legal authority over what other nations do in Antarctic waters.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

If it wasn't for the publicity/notoriety AND especially the very enormous donations they receive to support their extravagant lifestyles and fleets, none of this would be taking place and to think otherwise is quite naive. Just ask yourself, why would you spend $2,000,000 on a small boat(the Ady Gil) that can do 50 knots and the Gojira that cost $5,000,000 that is even faster, to catch Whaling boats that don't even do close to that speed? No, because they look neat on their TV show!

1 ( +7 / -6 )

SS are pretty far down the terrorist list of most rational people

Still on the list.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

I love whale bacon. So sue me... I have whale bacon whenever I feel like, because I live in Japan, and, guess what, I don't care about others' opinions. Yeah, you're free to thumb down me, I don't care about that either.

Thumbs up to whale bacon!

and the question is if the shoe was on the other foot, would the whales come to our rescue? No, didn't think so. So please feel free to thumbs down me too for my insensitivity and ruining your days.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

It is not really an argument that minke whales are not endangered therefore we can kill them with impunity. Minke whales belong to sensitive ecosystems we barely understand but are destroying nonetheless. These marine ecosystems have been emptied of the larger whales, such as blue, sei, fin, humpback and right whales. These whales helped maintain phytoplankton numbers by acting as a biological pump and reversing the natural nutrient flow from sea surface to deep levels (it sinks, basically). This is mainly because they take krill from deeper waters but defecate near the surface. Their feces (which can also be analysed effectively meaning lethal research is not required) contain high levels of nitrogen and iron which are vital for phytoplankton growth (which also sequesters carbon because tiny diatoms have tiny calcium carbonate shells. In fact, seeding the oceans with iron has been suggested as a way to sequester more carbon). The greater the phytoplankton numbers the more rich the seas and the more fish there are. With the large whales severely depleted it is left to the smaller minke whales to do their job but whereas, say a fin whale or right whale will produce 15 kgs of readily available nitrogen per day, minke whales produce only 3. So five minke whales are required per missing large whale.

Curiously, this information was not discovered by any of the Japanese research whaling programs.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

It is not really an argument that minke whales are not endangered therefore we can kill them with impunity.

No-one is arguing we can kill them with impunity. They're arguing that stocks are large enough for sustainable hunting, which is the stated purpose of the IWC--a purpose that's been hijacked by environmental extremists.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

so while the Japanese are supposed to recognize international law, pleeeesee Japan just interprets international laws and decisions as they see fit, theres always a loop hole they exploit even if its not there! Why should SS do any different. SS tactics are the only proven way to stop the killing of whales. SS has never injured or killed anybody they were protesting to. The only lives they put in danger are there own. The only J whalers that have died have been by there own incompetent hands. You can hate on SS all you like but the fact remains theyve saved thousands of whales from the freezers.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

The whalers aren't exploiting a loophole, everything they are doing is written right into the moratorium on whaling. That's different from a loophole.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

The Sea Shepard is just a terrorist.

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

As most of Aus and NZ exports consists of beef (especially to Japan) and mutton, I'd say this isa case of throwing rocks in a glass house. LOL actually most of Australias exports to Japan are iron ore, natural gas, coal, beef, wheat, foods etc things that are nessasary for Japans economy to survive. meanwhile Japans biggest exports to Australia is cars, electronics. the point is Japan NEEDS what Australia exports as do many other countries, Japan exports what other countries WANT, big difference! Maybe the Australian prime minister should put a condition in the $50billion submarine contract, well give you the contract if you stop whaling! wonder if there PRIDE would trump $50billion, if not then im sure the Germans/French will be more that happy to take it LOL

1 ( +1 / -0 )

wtfjapan

Japan just interprets international laws and decisions as they see fit, theres always a loop hole they exploit even if its not there! Why should SS do any different. SS tactics are the only proven way to stop the killing of whales.

Whether you like it or not, Japan is and has been following the laws as they exist. Benefiting from a loophole is not extralegal, Japan has followed the IWC's regulations and the ICJ's ruling. In contrast, Sea Shepherd blatantly and admittedly ignores and violates laws such as the international maritime rules of navigation and the sovereignty of flagged ships at sea, all in the name of a greater good. That you happen to dislike and disagree with the laws and regulations which are applicable here, particularly those continuously upheld by Japan, is your problem and it certainly does not justify Sea Shepherds actions no matter what their goals are.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

is your problem and it certainly does not justify Sea Shepherds actions no matter what their goals are. well theres many things in this world that arnt justified or just. SS is the only organisation that is prepared to put the lives and reputation on the line for a cause they think is important. If you think that saving whales is unimportant then thats your opinion/problem. still wont stop me from donating to SS to keep the fight going.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

And I also oppose the violent quasi-military style of Sea Shepherd which owns no legal authority and has lost all moral authority when they attacked ships at sea with acts of piracy.

At least they are doing something. 10,000 whales saved speaks for itself

0 ( +6 / -6 )

SS is the only organisation that is prepared to put the lives and reputation on the line for a cause they think is important.

Not true. ISIS does this every day.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

No

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Watson and SS are pretty far down the terrorist list of most rational people

ah, so there is "good" terrorism? because it conforms to your belief system then it's justified? do you really think SS gives a whoot about whales? they are into it for the PR and the fame. Watson is a egotistical blowhard who would rather see his name in the newspaper than to actually saving things that are important, like people. i'd rather save people than whales.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

One man's "terrorist" is another's freedom fighter

2 ( +5 / -3 )

SS is the only organisation that is prepared to put the lives and reputation on the line for a cause they think is important.

So is IS.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

SS is the only organisation that is prepared to put the lives and reputation on the line for a cause they think is important.

LOL - given the recent terrorism news, one would think you'd know better than to write this.. Besides, can you re-read what you've just wrote? It stinks of extremism.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

So, Nessie, do you know what the rate of sustainable hunting is? Has all this "research" actually told us? Probably not. I guess you missed the whole of my comment but just because a population can be sustainably culled over a certain amount of time does not mean it does not have knock on effects throughout the ecosystem that over a time may also have detrimental effects on the population as a whole. We have stopped hunting blue whales but for some reason their stocks do not increase. Ecosystem science is very complex. And cold water ecosystems work very slowly. Still, the killers and their enablers probably have no time for all this scientific subtlety. Which is rather paradoxical when science is supposedly what it is all about.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Not true. ISIS does this every day. ISIS kill without remorse in the name of there ideology, comparing the two is insulting. If anybody has a similarity with them its the J whalers "kill without remorse in the name of there ideology"

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

It's a shame, but whales are unfortunate enough to be part of Japan's culture and so they simply have to be annihilated just to prove the point that nations must be slaves to their past. I feel bad for the whales, but hey, what can we do?

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

So, Nessie, do you know what the rate of sustainable hunting is? Has all this "research" actually told us? Probably not.

Actually it has produced the data needed so the IWC can do their job of determining the hunting quota.

We have stopped hunting blue whales but for some reason their stocks do not increase.

That isn't correct. The IWC reports that "The estimated rate of increase is 8.2% (95% confidence interval 3.8-12.5%) per year between 1978/79 and 2003/04". 8% increase a year sounds pretty impressive. And Humpback whales have recovered so well that they have been removed from the endangered list.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

i'd rather save people than whales.* well maybe the J gov should use the 2.5billion yen/year wasted for whaling towards Japans suicide rate. think about it theyll save hundreds of whales and many Japanese lives in the process.
1 ( +3 / -2 )

i'd rather save people than whales.* well maybe the J gov should use the 2.5billion yen/year wasted for whaling towards Japans suicide rate. think about it theyll save hundreds of whales and many Japanese lives in the process.

You're realistic all right... FYI, the Japanese government used some of the post 3/11 recovery money for financing the whaling business. Some people are still living in their "temporary" homes.

Good for me, as I love whale bacon, and, as long as I'm in Japan I'll enjoy it knowing I'm breaking no Japanese law.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

The Sea Sherperd Conversation Society christened a vessel mv Gojira. Its purpose is to target and harass Japanese whalers. It was served with a notice from the copyright holders of the Gojira/Godzilla franchise. Rename Bridgitte Bardot. How ironic.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Well, you seem to be clued up on whale stats, Dom Palmer, so you will know that the data is in doubt even about blue whale numbers but 5000 to 12000 is an estimate. They are elusive animals. But this is estimated at just one per cent of its pre-hunting numbers. The best estimate for some blue whale populations is a 7.3% growth rate. Humpbacks have increased but are still well below estimated pre-hunting levels. The point is that absolute numbers are necessary to impact the ecosystems in question favourably. Total tonnage of whales, even with the current Minke numbers, is very far from what it was. And even an apparently sustainable catch based on reproduction rates still tells us nothing about the long-term health of the ecosystems they are vital constituents of. In fact, ICR does not take all this into account. They are only interested in short to medium term hunting quotas. And for what, at the end of the day? To just keep some amakudari bureaucrats in work? The MAFF is probably the most skilled department at creating work. Whaling is part of that.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

@MoonrakerNOV. 30, 2015 - 05:28PM JST

To just keep some amakudari bureaucrats in work?

What about the very principle of freedom of choice which this never-ending moratorium is kicking in the shins all the time? I always see this whole "science whaling" thing is a silent compromise between Japan and the rest of the IWC, and this compromise was broken needlessly by certain countries and certain terrorists.

Tyranny of the majority is really at work here. The thing is only Extreme Necessity can justify restrictions on other countries. "Maybe this is affecting the ecosystem" or worse "You can't disprove the notion this is affecting the ecosystem" is not good enough. The onus is on the oppressor to continually and unambigiously prove the need for such restrictions.

Such principles are, I'm afraid, far too often forgotten in favor of "ick".

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Why don't you post the whole picture including the blue whale population numbers instead of just percentages?

Because the comment I was responding to specifically said "We have stopped hunting blue whales but for some reason their stocks do not increase." So I was specifically addressing the fact that the claim of no increase was false.

I didn't say anything about historical levels as that was not the issue being discussed.

The same IWC source you quoted also indicates the total estimated number of 2300 worldwide.

No actual the same IWC source says 2300 in 1998. With the estimate growth through 2004, the population would have been about 3690 in 2004. Even if the rate dropped to 1% since then, the current level would be over 4000. Still well short of historical levels but well above your cited 2300.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Best wishes and success to Sea Shepherd!

0 ( +3 / -3 )

No problem agreeing with the possibility of current population being around 4000

Well thanks for that. Of course your 2300 number from 1998 was only for the Southern Hemisphere, as the IWC clearly stated, so my back of the envelope estimate of 4000 is also only for the Southern hemisphere. But I am sure you didn't cherry pick that data or that you didn't intentionally not post the whole picture.

As your comments have peaked my interest, I did some more checking and the IUCN puts the world wide population at 10,000 to 25,000. But of course most of their estimates for the various regions are a decade or more old, so the current number is probably close to if not above their upper estimate.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Sea Shepard is a circus freak show and foolishly contributed money goes to their leader's wait line or their endless legal fees. And Australians need to stop pretending that this is about whales, when it's all about their misconception that they OWN the Antarctic waters.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

I have whale bacon whenever I feel like, because I live in Japan, and, guess what, I don't care about others' opinions. Yeah, you're free to thumb down me, I don't care about that either.

and scientifically proven to have high levels of mercury, if you want to put that tripe in your body you go ahead, In children it can cause ADHD and other health conditions later in life.

I actually gave you a thumbs up in sympathy, mainly because later your chances of impaired vision, speech, hearing, walking, muscle strength ,lack of coordination, will be greatly increased by eating that rubbish. bon appétit !

0 ( +4 / -4 )

nowhere near the 25,000 you indicate. But perhaps you already knew that.

I didn't indicate anything. I quoted the IUCN, you know the well respected experts on endangered animals. Oh and that NOAA data is actually IWC data. But perhaps you already knew that.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Well, if NOAA data is actually IWC data as you say

I don't say the NOAA says, right below the table that your numbers came from. Don't know how you could miss it.

then you admit that your own preferred agency data prove what i posted

What? Sorry but I don't have a 'preferred agency'. But then you admit that all 3 agencies discussed say that Blue whale populations are increasing which is what my original comment was all about. And since Japan doesn't hunt Blue whales any further debate about them doesn't belong in this article's comment section, so this will be my last response.

total estimate is around 5000 not above 25,000 as you most certainly DID indicate ( and you most certainly know that )

Yes, I did indicate that and I most certainly DO know that. I also know that the IUCN gives a detailed explanation why the 5000 number is BS and gives an estimate of 10,000-25,000 based on cited references which except for one in 2006 are all over a decade old. And it doesn't take much intelligence to understand that a decade old estimate for a species with a 5% growth rate (which is the lowest number the IUCN gives) would result in a current estimate being over 50% higher. So 10,000-25,000 gives a mid-range number of 17,500, using the lowest growth rate gives a current estimate of ~15,500-38750 with an average of ~27,100 which I believe is above 25,000.

I also know that the NOAA claiming that the IWC's 2007 number for the Southern Hemisphere is ~2000 contradicts what the IWC themselves say which is that in 1998 the number was 2300 with an 8% annual growth rate, calling into question the NOAA's chart. Or maybe someone can explain how a species growing at 8% a year goes DOWN by 13% over 9 years rather than increasing.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The best estimate for some blue whale populations is a 7.3% growth rate. Humpbacks have increased but are still well below estimated pre-hunting levels.

This is called moving the goalpost.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The whale population is irrelevant. The fact is Japan promised to abide by the ICC decision - and has broken its word. It no longer had any moral authority whatsoever to talk about the rule of law

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

No, they have abided by it.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

That's an opinion piece.

But the fact is, the Japanese restructured their program in line with the ruling.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Restructured, adjusted, whatever. Japan has failed to satisfy the requirements of the ICJ and ICC. Are you backing whaling?

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

the fact is, the Japanese restructured their program in line with the ruling

And still the IWC says the new 'research' programme provides no scientific justification for the killing of 4,000 minke in the next 12 years.

Joji Morishita, Japan's spokesman on all things whaling, has publicly acknowledged that the 'research' programme has nothing to do with either science or culture; it's politics.

Morishita said regardless of whether there is a market for whale meat in Japan, the principle of hunting whales is important because banning the killing of one animal instead of another was “strange logic.”

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/06/23/national/whale-hunt-to-be-resumed-this-year-official-says/#.Vl5wT-uOVk4

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Strange logic indeed

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

1% or 2% of original population of blue whales makes no difference. The total tonnage of whale is less overall and this is impacting ecosystem viability no matter how many minke whales. The onus is on the killers to disprove this (the research that it is so is widely known by ecologists) but they won't. One reason is because science is merely an excuse for keeping the amakudari appointments going. (Interestingly some of the very same people who object to this pernicious corruption are all in favour of Japan's pointless whaling and it makes me wary of them) Another reason is that the intention to resume hunting limits the scope of any science that might get done since it thinks of whales as a simple resource and not as part of an ecosystem. All that is necessary is to know the reproduction rates (and this can be remarkably ascertained by killing them!) of different species and their collective absolute numbers are irrelevant. We should not even get sidetracked by the whalers' science and I personally partly blame the whole IWC for this as well. Ecology is complex. The logic of the killer is simple yet I must admit I fail to understand it and all its justification sophistry.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

But the fact is, the Japanese restructured their program in line with the ruling.

Good point, Strangerland, but we won't really know if it's in line with the ruling until the new program is challenged, which it's sure to be. If anyone's to blame for this whack-a-mole situation, it's the IWC.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

@cleoDEC. 02, 2015 - 01:32PM JST

Morishita said regardless of whether there is a market for whale meat in Japan, the principle of hunting whales is important because banning the killing of one animal instead of another was “strange logic.”

And he is CORRECT. It is the oppressors that should examine how they are justifying their ick rather than being objective and playing by their usual rules.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Japan has failed to satisfy the requirements of the ICJ

Could you please explain what you mean by this?

The ICJ said stop JARPAII, Japan stopped JARPAII.

The ICJ said here are the things that would need to changed to have a compliant plan, Japan wrote a plan based on the ICJ's list of changes.

Just what have they done that is failing to satisfy the requirements of the ICJ?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Japan wrote a plan based on the ICJ's list of changes.

And the plan has not been accepted. What Japan could do instead is to drop whaling altogether, and watch an influx of environmentalists coming to visit with their tourist dollars

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

And the plan has not been accepted.

Accepted by who? The IWC regulations do not require any acceptance. And the ICJ did not require Japan to submit any new plan to the ICJ for acceptance.

and watch an influx of environmentalists coming to visit with their tourist dollars

They already get an influx of environmentalists coming to protest with their tourist dollars. And Japan keeps setting new record levels of tourism every year.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Any and all countries depleting whatever natural resource without any concern for future generations should be labeled "environmental terrorists" and publicized. Then consumers have right to make decision to purchase anything made by such countries. It's a global economy and these countries need to learn that there are economic consequences for their irresponsible actions. Leave the decision up to the global consumer whether whale hunting should be condemned or not. It's not up to IWC or Japan to decide anymore. More and more younger generation are embracing socially and environmentally conscience companies. We need to apply this to countries as well.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Christopher GlenDec. 02, 2015 - 12:20PM JST The whale population is irrelevant. The fact is Japan promised to abide by the ICC decision - and has broken its word. >It no longer had any moral authority whatsoever to talk about the rule of law

Complete lie. The ICJ judgment concluded that the Jarpa II program did not need the standards and should be terminated. Which is exactly what Japan did. They modified the program to Jarpa III which meets the requirements. People who don't even understand the ICJ decision shouldn't be commenting on it.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Any and all countries depleting whatever natural resource

Can you name a single country that isn't depleting natural resources? And since we can't see the future how do we know what resources future generations will find valuable?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Can you name a single country that isn't depleting natural resources?

Ah, the usual deflecting argument of pointing to others instead of yourself. Doesn't work I'm afraid

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Ah, the usual deflecting argument of pointing to others instead of yourself. Doesn't work I'm afraid

Ah the standard 'argument' of ignoring the argument. Doesn't work.

The comment wanted all countries that deplete natural resources publically shame and I was pointed out that the list would include ALL countries. Kind of hard to shame a select few when it is actually everyone. And I didn't point to others instead of myself, I pointed to everyone including myself.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Only Japan is poaching in the Antarctic. Sorry

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Only Japan is poaching in the Antarctic. Sorry

First they aren't poaching. But second even if they are they aren't the only ones. Australia arrests poachers in the Antarctic on a regular basis. The Sea Shepherds spent last Dec/Jan chasing non-Japanese poachers in the Antarctic.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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