Japanese whaling fleet endures rising tide of opposition
Could it be karma, bad luck, or merely unfortunate circumstances that have victimized the Japanese whaling fleet in the Antarctic region?
The three-vessel fleet, which has been hounded relentlessly by a crew aboard a Sea Shepherd Society ship, has already lost a crewman, who fell overboard and is presumed drowned.
More recently, one of its damaged ships, the Yushin Maru #2, has been ordered to leave the Port of Surabaya, East Java, in Indonesia before making repairs to its propeller. Australia and New Zealand do not allow the ships in their ports because large-scale commercial whaling has been condemned internationally.
Now, it seems, neither will Indonesia, which received communiques from Australia asking that it deny the whaling ships any services.
Among them, according to Sea Shepherd, was this one from Mayor Peter Tagliaferri of Fremantle, to Port officials and Mayor Banbang Dwi Hartono of Surabaya:
"The city of Fremantle does not support the illegal slaughter of whales and has constantly conveyed this through diplomatic processes to the Japanese government.
"I believe the Yushin Maru #2 is seeking propeller repairs in your port as a result of ice damage.
"The city of Fremantle would not support this vessel to enter our fishing boat harbour to seek repairs to continue an illegal activity.
"I, as Mayor of the City of Fremantle, urge you to also not allow this vessel to be repaired in your port and as a result the Yushin Maru #2 will not be able to rejoin the illegal whaling."
So for now there are only two viable whaling ships pursuing a seasonal quota of 935 minke whales and 50 fin whales. The way things are going, it appears they'll fall substantially short.
-- Pete Thomas
Photo, top: A minke whale is processed aboard a Japanese factory whaling ship in 1995. Credit: Greenpeace. Bottom: A minke roams the Southern California coast. Credit: Eric Martin / For the Los Angeles Times
| Permalink | Comments (33) | del.icio.us: |
I would argue "karma".
Posted by: Jon K. | January 15, 2009 at 03:39 PM
Hopefully the Japanese will be enjoying their " full whaling experience' as much as the whales enjoy it.
Posted by: Imf4orthewhales | January 15, 2009 at 03:53 PM
Boycott Toyota. A million Priuses do not off set a single minke whale.
Posted by: George in Miami | January 15, 2009 at 07:30 PM
I am delighted that the Japanese whaling ship has been turned away from Indonesia. Let them go back home to Japan and stay there!!
Posted by: Aoife | January 15, 2009 at 07:39 PM
Pay no attention to the westerners killing cows, chickens and pigs, or eating expensive sushi. We are so much more superior here. Those poor baby whales. Pass the goose pate, would you?
Posted by: masterpuff theater | January 15, 2009 at 08:31 PM
I can't understand why whalings are so criticized.
It is free what Japanese eats.
Why fish eating is OK, but whale eating is NO ?
Posted by: sakana | January 15, 2009 at 09:21 PM
I'm so proud that the whaling vessel was banned from Indonesia.
They will have to go back to Japan where they belong.
I suppose they are criminals after all and deserve to be treated like ones.
A victory for the whales!
Go Sea shepherd go!
Posted by: andrew | January 15, 2009 at 10:10 PM
You people don't like whales but get your fill of beef, salmon, and tuna?
Posted by: Bob Turteledge | January 15, 2009 at 10:26 PM
Not ONLY whales. Every single second, of every single minute, of every single hour, of every single day, of every single week, of every single month, of every single year, of every single decade, of every single century, millions and billions and trillions and quadrillions of animals and fish are killed in the most cruel fashion. We are killing, killing,killing and non-stop KILLING animals and fish. To EAT them. No wonder we are SO good at war. Killing each other. Just think of the single instance of Hiroshima. Humans are the most bloody of creatures on this bloody earth.
Posted by: San Ying | January 16, 2009 at 12:03 AM
>The city of Fremantle does not support the "illegal" slaughter of whales and has constantly conveyed this through diplomatic processes to the Japanese government.
It's not illegal.Japan is whaling under the convention of IWC(International Whaling Commision).http://www.iwcoffice.org/commission/convention.htm#convention
Quote)
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Convention any Contracting Government may grant to any of its nationals a special permit authorizing that national to kill, take and treat whales for purposes of scientific research subject to such restrictions as to number and subject to such other conditions as the Contracting Government thinks fit, and the killing, taking, and treating of whales in accordance with the provisions of this Article shall be exempt from the operation of this Convention. Each Contracting Government shall report at once to the Commission all such authorizations which it has granted. Each Contracting Government may at any time revoke any such special permit which it has granted. (Unquote
In contrasts, Sea Sheperd is criticized in the IWC.
http://www.iwcoffice.org/meetings/intersession.htm#safety
Quote)The Meeting recalled Commission resolution 2007-2 entitled “Resolution on Safety at Sea and Protection of the Environment” as well as resolution 2006-2 entitled “Resolution on the Safety of Vessels engaged in Whaling and Whale Research-related Activities”, both of which had been adopted by consensus by the Commission. It noted reports of dangerous actions by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society in the Southern Ocean in recent months directed against Japanese vessels.
It called upon the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society to refrain from dangerous actions that jeopardise safety at sea, and on vessels and crews concerned to exercise restraint. The meeting reiterated that the Commission and its Contracting Governments do not condone and in fact condemn any actions that are a risk to human life and property in relation to the activities of vessels at sea. It urged Contracting Governments to take actions, in accordance with relevant rules of international law and respective national laws and regulations, to cooperate to prevent and suppress actions that risk human life and property at sea and with respect to alleged offenders. The Meeting recalled that accreditation for the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society as an observer to the Commission had been denied since 1987 because of unacceptable behaviour and tactics. (Unquote
Why does the Mayor believe that Japan is whaling illegally?If it was really illegal, submitted the evidence.
Posted by: S | January 16, 2009 at 04:20 AM
I'm wholly disappointed these actions from Australia and Indnesia.
It seems that They recognize whales are more important than Japanese fisherman's life.
They are in an accident.
Now I have to tell you that many of Japanese getting to "HATE" these countries.
In the past, Japanese fishermans helps members of Sea Shepherd who dropped into the sea,
but now, they interfere with rescue for Japanese missing crew!
And Australia keeps standing by them!
Of course, why they don't go to the Australia is, WE don't think that you are the friend.
Thanks for nice friendship.
Posted by: M_Sato | January 16, 2009 at 06:23 AM
They hampered Japanese rescue efforts
even though Japanese whaling ship saved two Sea Shepherd menber's life last year.
They are very ungrateful.
Posted by: snow | January 16, 2009 at 07:12 AM
This article does not show that the Sea Sheperd interferred with the Japanese rescue effort. Do you have a source for this event occuring? Mainly, because I don't believe it. That's not the way of the sea.
Posted by: Tristan | January 16, 2009 at 08:43 AM
Boycott Toyota? Why Toyota and not Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru and others? Do you want everyone to buy Europeans? Wait, they hunt whales too. So we are left with only one choice, American. Wait, US cars are inferior products which are made by obese, over paid, lazy, greedy union members. And Alaskans also hunt whales, and they are also Americans. Then we have to bike. Wait... the bikes are made in China. Do they eat whales? Maybe we should all just walk. Or we can all eat whales while we drive our prius and talk on the cell phone without a bluetooth.
Posted by: confucius | January 16, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Confucius, you know nothing about cars. Or maybe you haven't driven an American car made in the last decade?
Posted by: Simon Zaleski | January 16, 2009 at 02:40 PM
Most, if not all, the people disagreeing here are clearly the ones in on the profit of the Japanese whaling.
As for the argument about Americans killing cows and other animals to eat- we are not killing them within another countries sanctuary, of which that countries own judges have banned them from. We are not ignoring international law and public opinion and lying all along. We are not killing endangered animals to eat. We are not defending extremely cruel killing practice. I am a vegetarian so I do not eat cows or whales- however, the argument that Japanese whaling is the same as killing cows is ridiculous. Yes indeed- it is the same in the sense killing is killing- but that is where it ends and I do not see any of these sad excuses for people who are making that argument going vegetarian. And those who make this argument have one thing in mind- making money off the backs of the whales and forcing people to do what they want even when it means destroying something that belongs to us all and is illegal. The tide is turning against them thanks to Sea Shepherd and as such, they will become more desperate in their lies and "arguments" to rationalize what they are doing.
I am glad to see the whalers and their PR reps here trying to feed Americans their lies. We are not the idiots they think we are, therefore anyone who reads what they have to say will easily see the bs for what it is.
Sea Shepherd is the ONLY group down there fighting the Japanese who are whaling endangered whales within an established sanctuary, that is owned by Australia, despite Australia's courts insisting they stop.
I don't care what Japan thinks of Americans, I know what I am seeing from Japan and it is disgusting. Please, don't think you can fool us with your lies and manipulations.
Sea Shepherd offered assistance to the whaling boats when their crew member went overboard, only then to be accused of interfering which was a complete joke. And Japan's whaling boats did not save the Sea Shepherd members who were momentarily lost- that is an even bigger joke. I mean seriously, who does the Japanese Whalers think we are that we would buy what they are trying to feed us?
I call for our government to do more to stop the Japanese and any other country so blatantly disregarding international law and decency for their own greed. We can stop this if the public wills it to be stopped.
Support Sea Shepherd- they are the ones in the right- fighting for something we should all be fighting for.
Posted by: EE | January 17, 2009 at 03:51 AM
Paul Watson is too cool. I was all for smoke bombs and ship ramming.
Anyhow, the only way whales should meet their death is like so:
thewhalefall.blogspot.com/2008/11/found-this-video-of-whale-fall.html
Posted by: Alex Ian | January 17, 2009 at 02:53 PM
sakana,
Because whales are remarkably intelligent, unique mammals and, well, fish are fish.
Posted by: Jon K. | January 17, 2009 at 03:08 PM
species come and go... a tiny little unknown fish ok, but whales...?
please stop the killing !
you and i decide how to live with and enjoy the wildlife !
The more we are aware the more we are responsible...
therefore i allways will act.
The time of discussion should be ended, the whalers should look for alternatives and those who still kill, should be enforced to stop !
The whales are nor mine or yours and should (in this minority) be protected and not be killed, is my vision of living together with wildlife as whales !
A japanese supporting whalefisher should think twice those days, because he will always loose... one way or the other !
They make me (you and the iwc) stupid by painting research on thier vessels (each catching 10 whales a day !)...
I always thought that the Japenese was a great Nation in respecting.
Are those strange fisherman aware they are fooling you end me by killing so much of so less under the title of research???
Let's not forget Japan is not the only Nation... Norway, Iceland should also be, or even more ashamed of thier wild life vision.
So thumbs up for Indonesia not to bow for the Japanese pressures and RESPECT for Seashepherd acting in stopping the killing.
btw:
The IWC has instructed Japan to stop killing whales in the
Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary
http://www.iwcoffice.org/conservation/sanctuaries.htm
As stated in Resolution 2007-1
Posted by: Gerlof | January 17, 2009 at 03:43 PM
In short, Indonesia is a servant of Australia in the under.
Moreover, the number of one nations of squalid has increased.
If such an attitude is taken, I want you to return ODA.
Posted by: Whale's religion | January 17, 2009 at 08:17 PM
Most Americans are not even aware of the fact that USA is also whaling in Alaska.
In fact, it was Americans who came to Japan in 1953 to have Japan unfair treaty.
Americans were interested in Japanese ports for the purpose of whaling.
The picture that Japan vs. the rest of the world is planted to the general public by mass media, with back-up from non-whaling countries, most notably Australia and New Zealand, which themselves where whaling to massive extent.
Posted by: TokyoMan | January 18, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Why do you disagree to whaling?
Followings are summary of your arguments.
1. The Antarcic ocean is the sanctuary for whales, therefore don't whaling.
2. Whales are endangered, therefore don't whaling.
3. Whaling is extremely cruel, therefore don't whaling.
4. All of animals has the right how to live and to enjoy the wildlife, therefore don't whaling.
5. The IWC has instructed Japan to stop killing whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, therefore don't whaling.
Is that all? If you had another reason, please submit. And if I misunderstood, please teach me.
Posted by: S | January 19, 2009 at 03:37 AM
As for 1. ,Japan is admitted to whaling even in the sanctuary. Because the reseach whaling is not prohibitted but commercial whaling.
http://www.iwcoffice.org/conservation/sanctuaries.htm
Quote)At the 46th (1994) Annual Meeting the IWC adopted the Southern Ocean Sanctuary as another area in which commercial whaling is prohibited.(Unquote
Of course the research whaling is not commercial whaling. That is admitted on the IWC.
http://www.iwcoffice.org/commission/convention.htm#convention
Quote)Notwithstanding anything contained in this Convention any Contracting Government may grant to any of its nationals a special permit authorizing that national to kill, take and treat whales for purposes of scientific research subject to such restrictions as to number and subject to such other conditions as the Contracting Government thinks fit, and the killing, taking, and treating of whales in accordance with the provisions of this Article shall be exempt from the operation of this Convention.(Unquote
Therefore, 1. is not support to ban Japan's the research whaling.
As for 2. , the Minke whale which is whaling in Antarcitic ocean is not endangered. Turn around, they are increaseing.
http://www.icrwhale.org/eng/JA-J05-JR09.pdf
Quote)Generally, it is well known that the overexploitation by commercial whaling in Southern Hemisphere diminished the population of large baleen whales (Laws 1977). Finally, the composition of whale species in abundance was totally changed when the commercial whaling was suspended in 1987, comparing to that in pre-whaling period. The Antarctic minke whale, on the other hand, was not targeted in commercial whaling till 1971, and its population was not affected largely by the whaling. Thus, the minke whale population started to grow after the harvest of large baleen whale was started, and then it continued until recently. This was probably due to the favourable food availability caused by the decline of other large baleen whale populations, so called “krill surplus” hypothesis (Laws 1977).(Unquote
The increased abundance in Minke whales causes food competition with other whales. And their brubber is getting thin.
http://www.icrwhale.org/eng/JA-J05-JR09.pdf
Quote)The coefficients of Year were -0.024(±0.003SE) in the both runs, indicated the blubber thickness significantly decreased with years (Fig. 3).(Unquote
please check the Fig.3. at URL.
Therefore 2. is not supportted to ban Japan's the research whaling.
Posted by: S | January 19, 2009 at 03:38 AM
As for 3., Have you ever seen killing animal? It's not unique for this whaling problem.The 3. is a emotionally-charged argument.
Therefore 3. is not supportted to ban Japan's the research whaling.
As for 4., aren't you deny yourself? Why are you there? Because you ate other animals and plants. right? So we can't admit to give the right for all of animals to decide their life. We should eat them to live.The 4. is a emotionally-charged argument.
Therefore 4. is not supportted to ban Japan's the research whaling.
As for 5., the instruction doesn't have power to obey Japan. As I said, sanctuary has applied to commercial whaling not the research whaling. Cross apply up above. Moreover, the evidence source you showed does not mean the IWC instructed to Japan. http://www.iwcoffice.org/conservation/sanctuaries.htm
Therefore 5. is not supportted to ban Japan's the research whaling.
Seeing is believing. Please show the evidence to ban the Japan's whaling.
Posted by: S | January 19, 2009 at 03:39 AM
S,
Part of being civilized is that you don't eat EVERYTHING.
We have compassion for animals of greater intelligence.
Whales are remarkably intelligent animals; therefore we don't eat them.
Posted by: Jon K. | January 19, 2009 at 09:51 AM