Editorial
Sea Shepherd's acts of violence show a total disregard for law and order
The Ady Gil, a ship belonging to the anti-whaling organization Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and the Shonan Maru No. 2, a patrol ship for a Japanese research whaling fleet, collided in southern Antarctic waters on Wednesday. The bow of the Ady Gil suffered great damage, and it is said that one of its six crewmembers was injured.
Both sides disagree on what transpired, but from video footage of the incident, there is no doubt that the Ady Gil cut off the Shonan Maru's path to cause the crash.
Heretofore, Sea Shepherd members had repeatedly engaged in extreme actions -- including hurling stink bombs at and climbing aboard whaling ships -- to obstruct whaling activities, but now they have finally taken to actions that place people's lives in danger. Japanese whaling is conducted legally in international waters in compliance with international treaties. Interfering with such activities through the use of violence is not about advocating against whaling. Rather, it indicates a fundamental disregard for international order.
Sea Shepherd was established in 1977 by a figure who had previously been a member of the environmental conservation group Greenpeace. Sea Shepherd has since engaged in extreme activities in waters off such places as Norway and Canada in the name of protecting whales, seals and other forms of marine life.
Even while the organization calls for the protection of animal rights and the environment, it pollutes the seas through their use of chemicals and rope that are dumped into the water. Furthermore, it is willing to risk collisions that can potentially cause the loss of human life or major oil spills. Sea Shepherd's actions contradict their words, leaving us with no desire to lend an ear to their claims.
It is only natural that the Japanese government has filed an appeal with authorities in the Ady Gil's home port of Australia and in New Zealand, where the ship is registered, to step up measures to prevent such incidents in the future. Anti-whaling sentiment is deeply rooted in the Australian public, however, and with a general election coming up in the fall, the Australian Labor Party administration of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's response has been lukewarm.
The thing is, whether we are for or against whaling has absolutely nothing to do with whether we condone the violence perpetrated by Sea Shepherd. Prime Minister Rudd should be able to provide a sober explanation of this fact, and take a resolute stand against the organization's disregard for law and order.
If the purpose is to stop Japanese whaling, the matter should be taken up with the International Whaling Commission (IWC), and obtain the support of its member nations. Quietly condoning the actions of Sea Shepherd, which has ignored the democratic processes in the IWC, is tantamount to an announcement that any means -- both fair and foul -- are acceptable in striving towards a goal. This reasoning is no different to that of a terrorist.
Sea Shepherd has a war chest of approximately 3.5 million dollars per year, amassed from donations from supporters and private corporations. Among those sponsors are an Australian beer company, an American outdoor equipment manufacturer that also operates stores in Japan, and a British cosmetics company.
Providing funds to a violent organization would appear to impinge on corporate ethics. Sea Shepherd's corporate sponsors need to take prompt action.
(Mainichi Japan) January 11, 2010