Reuters News Services- January 8, 2012
SYDNEY — Three Australian environmental activists were detained on board a Japanese whaling ship on Sunday after boarding in protest at Japan's annual whale cull in the Antarctic, anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd said.
The three activists from Forest Rescue, an Australian group specializing in direct action to prevent logging, boarded the ship early on Sunday with assistance from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Sea Shepherd said in a statement.
U.S.-based Sea Shepherd is tailing Japan's whaling fleet as it heads towards the Southern Ocean to try to prevent the cull.
The three activists from Forest Rescue, an Australian group specializing in direct action to prevent logging, boarded the ship early on Sunday with assistance from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Sea Shepherd said in a statement.
U.S.-based Sea Shepherd is tailing Japan's whaling fleet as it heads towards the Southern Ocean to try to prevent the cull.
The statement described the activists as "prisoners now detained on a Japanese whaler."
Speaking while en route to the Antarctic, Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson told Reuters by satellite phone that the activists were still on board the Shonan Maru 2. He said the Japanese vessel had been sent to disrupt Sea Shepherd's longstanding campaign to stop the cull.
There had been no contact from the Japanese and the activists' radios appeared to have been seized, Watson said from aboard the Steve Irwin, one of two ships heading south with the aim of preventing the hunt from taking place.
"The Shonan Maru won't talk to us. They don't respond to our radio calls," Watson said. "They are chasing us."
A New Zealand-based spokesman for Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research, which coordinates the annual hunt, confirmed the three men were on the Japanese boat and uninjured. He did not rule out that they might be taken to Japan.
"The three men are on board," spokesman Glenn Inwood told Reuters. "They are being questioned now and they remain on the vessel."
The Japanese boat, he said, was 40 km off the Australian coast when the trio boarded it.
Forest Rescue spokesman Michael Montgomery had earlier said the action was to protest at inaction by the Australian government to stop the hunt and to demand the departure of the whalers from Australian waters.
"We don't need to kill these beautiful creatures any more," he told Reuters.
Sea Shepherd said the three activists came in a boat from Australia's western coast and approached the Shonan Maru 2 in the dark, with assistance from two Sea Shepherd boats.
"The three negotiated their way past the razor wire and spikes and over the rails of the Japanese whaling vessel," the statement said. "They are being held in Australian territorial waters by an invading Japanese vessel containing armed Japanese military personnel."
They carried with them a message reading: "Return us to shore in Australia and then remove yourself from our waters."
Whaling was banned under a 1986 moratorium, but Japan continues to hunt hundreds of whales annually under a loophole that allows whaling for "scientific" purposes.
Shared by E3wise
Personal Note from E3wise- We need to stop whaling everywhere and close the loopholes that allow Japan to take these whales and then sell the meat under the guise of scientific research.
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Activist Detained On Japanese Whaling Vessel- Sea Shepard
Started by E3 wise, Jan 08 2012 10:11 AM
japanese whaling animal rights stop whaling
23 replies to this topic
#2
Posted 08 January 2012 - 12:49 PM
"Culling"
Culling implies that there is an overabundance of something that needs to be corrected. Nice word choice, Japan. And no one is buying the "scientific research" BS any more. Japanese whaling needs to stop.
Interesting tactics, too, by the activists. Obviously their whole intent was to get arrested so it would make headlines. Hard to fault them under these circumstances.
Culling implies that there is an overabundance of something that needs to be corrected. Nice word choice, Japan. And no one is buying the "scientific research" BS any more. Japanese whaling needs to stop.
Interesting tactics, too, by the activists. Obviously their whole intent was to get arrested so it would make headlines. Hard to fault them under these circumstances.
#3
Posted 09 January 2012 - 02:28 PM
I have to be honest. Japans policy on whaling is a terrible, disgusting and evil practice. The ability of Japan whalers to kill over 1000 whales as scientific research is bogus and abhorrent. I personally support Sea Shepherd’s work to disrupt Japanese whaling. Although I consider myself a tolerant person, I think whalers should be prosecuted as animal abuse and that the United States should link any aid to Japan with the stopping of whaling. Keep whaling – no aid, military, humanitarian or otherwise.
We started fighting to stop whaling in the 1970’s – Antarctica is suppose to be off limits and held in trust as a protected area. Allowing whaling to continue is immoral.
Sea Shepherd's Mission Statement
Established in 1977, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) is an international non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organization. Our mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world's oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species.
Sea Shepherd uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. By safeguarding the biodiversity of our delicately-balanced ocean ecosystems, Sea Shepherd works to ensure their survival for future generations.
E3Wise
We started fighting to stop whaling in the 1970’s – Antarctica is suppose to be off limits and held in trust as a protected area. Allowing whaling to continue is immoral.
Sea Shepherd's Mission Statement
Established in 1977, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) is an international non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organization. Our mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world's oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species.
Sea Shepherd uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. By safeguarding the biodiversity of our delicately-balanced ocean ecosystems, Sea Shepherd works to ensure their survival for future generations.
E3Wise
#4
Posted 10 January 2012 - 04:13 AM
They've been released but Japan's whaling continues.
http://www.huffingto....html?ref=green
Remember that Star Trek movie? They had to go back in time to find whales on planet earth.
Makes me sick that this is still allowed.
"Scientific purposes" my eye.
http://www.huffingto....html?ref=green
Remember that Star Trek movie? They had to go back in time to find whales on planet earth.
Makes me sick that this is still allowed.
"Scientific purposes" my eye.
#5
Posted 14 January 2012 - 07:44 PM
Slightly off topic but does anyone watch the sea shepherds television show? The show is called Whale Wars on Animal PLanet and it's really a great show. Japanese whaling is TERRIBLE and the people who are on those whaling ships are NOT good people. They ram the smaller boats, run over the other boats and don't respond to may day calls.
#6
Posted 14 January 2012 - 08:17 PM
MakingCents, on 14 January 2012 - 07:44 PM, said:
Slightly off topic but does anyone watch the sea shepherds television show? The show is called Whale Wars on Animal PLanet and it's really a great show. Japanese whaling is TERRIBLE and the people who are on those whaling ships are NOT good people. They ram the smaller boats, run over the other boats and don't respond to may day calls.
I haven't seen that. I'll have to look for it. I don't think it's possible to overemphasize how terrible whaling by the Japanese is.
On the flip side, I honestly do have sympathy for the few native groups around the world who carry on traditional whaling. Like the Makah here in our state who get one whale per year.
#7
Posted 15 January 2012 - 05:42 AM
Actually I do watch whale wars. My husband and I have been whale and ocean activist since the early 1970's. As far as mariandrea point regarding native peoples hunting whales we both agree with her point. It is important to remember that native people's believe it is important to preserve the natural world. So they take only what is needed and use everything. This is completely different from commercial whaling or other commercial hunting practices like the annual harp seal hunting.
I think that televison shows like whale wars and other Animal advocay programs increase public awareness and help spur discussion about animal rights and the ethical treatment of animals.
E3Wise
I think that televison shows like whale wars and other Animal advocay programs increase public awareness and help spur discussion about animal rights and the ethical treatment of animals.
E3Wise
#8
Posted 15 January 2012 - 08:30 PM
I have no problem with responsible hunting but what the japanese do is not responsible. They kill the whale and use only the most expensive pieces to sell to the public and discard the. What a waste of precious life.
#9
Posted 18 January 2012 - 09:57 AM
This is slightly off topic to the sea shepherd but it's related to whales. (from 2010)
"Federal authorities have charged a trendy Santa Monica sushi restaurant with serving whale meat --
an investigation that was spurred by the team behind the Oscar-winning documentary, "The Cove."
Prosecutors charged Typhoon Restaurant Inc., the parent company of The Hump, and one of its chefs --
Kiyoshiro Yamamoto, 45 -- with the illegal sale of a marine mammal product for an unauthorized purpose.
Armed with a hidden camera, the two women captured the waitress serving them whale
and horse meat
and identifying them as such, a federal criminal complaint said.
A receipt from the restaurant at the end of the meal identified their selection as "whale" and "horse" with the cost -- $85 --
written next to them.
The women snuck pieces of the meat into a napkin and later sent them for examination to a researcher at Oregon State
University. He identified the whale sample to be that of sei whale, prosecutors said."
http://articles.cnn....shi?_s=PM:CRIME
"Federal authorities have charged a trendy Santa Monica sushi restaurant with serving whale meat --
an investigation that was spurred by the team behind the Oscar-winning documentary, "The Cove."
Prosecutors charged Typhoon Restaurant Inc., the parent company of The Hump, and one of its chefs --
Kiyoshiro Yamamoto, 45 -- with the illegal sale of a marine mammal product for an unauthorized purpose.
Armed with a hidden camera, the two women captured the waitress serving them whale
and horse meatand identifying them as such, a federal criminal complaint said.
A receipt from the restaurant at the end of the meal identified their selection as "whale" and "horse" with the cost -- $85 --
written next to them.
The women snuck pieces of the meat into a napkin and later sent them for examination to a researcher at Oregon State
University. He identified the whale sample to be that of sei whale, prosecutors said."
http://articles.cnn....shi?_s=PM:CRIME
#10
Posted 20 January 2012 - 03:22 PM
Horse meat, don't they want to start selling horse meat now? I can't believe it... Horses have helped built the country. Horses were the heart of this land. It is such a betrayal act to do that to them...and export them to other countries for slaughter. Horrible. Dogs could be next.
#11
Posted 24 January 2012 - 01:09 PM
I'm quite neutral on the thing.
You can't stop it, but the way they react isn't really good.
Although I'm a pro "Don't want to listen, then you'll have to feel" person, the greatest mistake with this whole whale hunting is the generalization that all Japanese will hunt down a whale and eat it as soon as they say.
People there don't understand either why it's allowed and are against it as well, just not as furious as these sea-shepherd people.
They've got other fish to fry with the government then to stop this miniscule minority of whale hunters.
You can't stop it, but the way they react isn't really good.
Although I'm a pro "Don't want to listen, then you'll have to feel" person, the greatest mistake with this whole whale hunting is the generalization that all Japanese will hunt down a whale and eat it as soon as they say.
People there don't understand either why it's allowed and are against it as well, just not as furious as these sea-shepherd people.
They've got other fish to fry with the government then to stop this miniscule minority of whale hunters.
#12
Posted 24 January 2012 - 07:45 PM
Ansem, on 24 January 2012 - 01:09 PM, said:
I'm quite neutral on the thing.
You can't stop it, but the way they react isn't really good.
Although I'm a pro "Don't want to listen, then you'll have to feel" person, the greatest mistake with this whole whale hunting is the generalization that all Japanese will hunt down a whale and eat it as soon as they say.
People there don't understand either why it's allowed and are against it as well, just not as furious as these sea-shepherd people.
They've got other fish to fry with the government then to stop this miniscule minority of whale hunters.
You can't stop it, but the way they react isn't really good.
Although I'm a pro "Don't want to listen, then you'll have to feel" person, the greatest mistake with this whole whale hunting is the generalization that all Japanese will hunt down a whale and eat it as soon as they say.
People there don't understand either why it's allowed and are against it as well, just not as furious as these sea-shepherd people.
They've got other fish to fry with the government then to stop this miniscule minority of whale hunters.
Have watched Whale Wars so I understand a little bit about how the Sea Shepherd engage in the three Japanese Whaling Ships. Though some of them is shown for the purpose of entertainment, I do believed that Japan do had a taste for whales. But we don't see the big picture here. Its not only Japan who are hunting and killing these whales, many are also engage in other Asian Countries like Thailand, Malaysia, etc. One thing I know, if people don't patronize this delicacy, then people would stop fishing and hunting these whales. And what about those three activist? if I'm one the side of the Japanese whaling boat, then I'll do the same. They are pestering my source of income.
#13
Posted 03 February 2012 - 03:02 PM
mariaandrea, on 08 January 2012 - 12:49 PM, said:
"Culling"
Culling implies that there is an overabundance of something that needs to be corrected. Nice word choice, Japan. And no one is buying the "scientific research" BS any more. Japanese whaling needs to stop.
Interesting tactics, too, by the activists. Obviously their whole intent was to get arrested so it would make headlines. Hard to fault them under these circumstances.
Culling implies that there is an overabundance of something that needs to be corrected. Nice word choice, Japan. And no one is buying the "scientific research" BS any more. Japanese whaling needs to stop.
Interesting tactics, too, by the activists. Obviously their whole intent was to get arrested so it would make headlines. Hard to fault them under these circumstances.
Clever, right? The Japanese and the activists. Whatever happened to them anyway? It's been a couple of weeks since they were held captive. Hopefully the Australian government took action.
Ecodisaster, on 20 January 2012 - 03:22 PM, said:
Horse meat, don't they want to start selling horse meat now? I can't believe it... Horses have helped built the country. Horses were the heart of this land. It is such a betrayal act to do that to them...and export them to other countries for slaughter. Horrible. Dogs could be next.
Horse and dog meat are delicacies in some parts of the Philippines. PAWS (Philippine Animal Welfare Society) has been very vigilant against these malpractices. Unfortunately, all their efforts are still in vain.
I salute the crew of the Sea Shepherd. What they are doing is noble. I just hope the government will follow their lead too. I saw how the Japanese murdered one of the whales they caught on Discovery. It was really cruel.
#14
Posted 17 February 2012 - 04:27 AM
Related-
"A group of Japanese whalers has failed to win an injunction against U.S. anti-whaling activists, as a federal judge refused their request for protections from boats owned by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
The ruling was made in Seattle, where the whalers' group, the Institute for Cetacean Research, had filed suit. In addition to restraints on Sea Shepherd, the whalers were hoping the judge would impose a freeze on the activists' finances."
http://www.npr.org/b...sts?ft=1&f=1025
"A group of Japanese whalers has failed to win an injunction against U.S. anti-whaling activists, as a federal judge refused their request for protections from boats owned by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
The ruling was made in Seattle, where the whalers' group, the Institute for Cetacean Research, had filed suit. In addition to restraints on Sea Shepherd, the whalers were hoping the judge would impose a freeze on the activists' finances."
http://www.npr.org/b...sts?ft=1&f=1025
#15
Posted 17 February 2012 - 07:40 PM
Whether you believe in teh actions of the sea shepherds or not is beside the point. Hunting and eating whales is ILLEGAL. It's not allowed, so even if it is the Japanese culture to eat whales, they are breaking the law!
#16
Posted 18 February 2012 - 03:12 AM
MakingCents, on 17 February 2012 - 07:40 PM, said:
Whether you believe in teh actions of the sea shepherds or not is beside the point. Hunting and eating whales is ILLEGAL.
It's not allowed, so even if it is the Japanese culture to eat whales, they are breaking the law!
It's not allowed, so even if it is the Japanese culture to eat whales, they are breaking the law!
From a 2007 article-
"Japan argues that whale meat is part of its culture, and plans to kill 950 whales
on the five-monthmission using a loophole in a global moratorium that allows "lethal research" on the giant mammals."
http://www.cosmosmag...-whale-hunt-yet
From a 2010 article-
"Currently, three whaling nations - Japan, Norway and Iceland - set their own quotas without regard for the moratorium
observed by all other countries. The three countries have killed more than
33,000 whales since the the moratorium took effect in 1986."
http://www.ens-newsw...0-06-23-01.html
More links here:
http://www.wwf.org.a...species/whales/
#17
Posted 18 February 2012 - 04:44 AM
"Norway announced renewal of its whale hunting quotas for 2012, approving the killing of 1,286 whales on Friday.
The decision has mobilized the environmental activists.
Norway registered an objection to the International Whaling Commission moratorium and is thus not bound by it.
Commercial whaling ceased for a five year period to allow a small scientific catch for gauging the stock's sustainability
and resumed 1993. Minke whales are the only legally hunted species.
Catches have fluctuated between 487 animals in 2000 to 592 in 2007.
For the year 2011 the quota is set at 1286 Minke whales.
In May 2004, the Norwegian Parliament passed a resolution to considerably increase the number of Minkes hunted each year.
Since 2006, when the Norwegian whaling quota was increased by 30%."
http://www.tnp.no/no...newal-in-norway
The decision has mobilized the environmental activists.
Norway registered an objection to the International Whaling Commission moratorium and is thus not bound by it.
Commercial whaling ceased for a five year period to allow a small scientific catch for gauging the stock's sustainability
and resumed 1993. Minke whales are the only legally hunted species.
Catches have fluctuated between 487 animals in 2000 to 592 in 2007.
For the year 2011 the quota is set at 1286 Minke whales.
In May 2004, the Norwegian Parliament passed a resolution to considerably increase the number of Minkes hunted each year.
Since 2006, when the Norwegian whaling quota was increased by 30%."
http://www.tnp.no/no...newal-in-norway
#18
Posted 19 February 2012 - 06:58 AM
Any animal cruelty makes me mad, but this disgust and appalls me. Norway and Japan are by their whaling practices pushing these species ever closer to extinction. How two of the most supposedly educated countries can continue this is beyond me.
Also on this subject I am especially angry. I honestly believe in the sanctity of all life including humans but on this subject well all I can say is its lucky I don’t have lots of money because if I did I would by a submarine, put some torpedoes on it, go to the whaling fleets and tell them they have 1 hour to abandon ship, then I would send them to the bottom of the ocean.
Irrational- yes, but if you have ever seen these beautiful and intelligent creatures in the wild how could you kill them. Yes they would call me a terrorist but I argue in this case, the whalers are the terrorists and someone needs to stop this.
With all this said I do not believe in violence to solve issues but good old civil disobedience and economic sanctions need to be used to stop this. Sorry guys but whaling, killing seals and other marine mammals just pisses me off. If they were trying to kill my family I would defend them, and that’s how I think of these sentient beings as an extension of my biologic family.
Why in the name of humanity do we not stop this, we try to stop genocide of people, as we should, why are we not stopping the genocide of our planet and animals by the money hungry *#!@$#%’s.
Sorry my rant but that’s how I feel.
Also on this subject I am especially angry. I honestly believe in the sanctity of all life including humans but on this subject well all I can say is its lucky I don’t have lots of money because if I did I would by a submarine, put some torpedoes on it, go to the whaling fleets and tell them they have 1 hour to abandon ship, then I would send them to the bottom of the ocean.
Irrational- yes, but if you have ever seen these beautiful and intelligent creatures in the wild how could you kill them. Yes they would call me a terrorist but I argue in this case, the whalers are the terrorists and someone needs to stop this.
With all this said I do not believe in violence to solve issues but good old civil disobedience and economic sanctions need to be used to stop this. Sorry guys but whaling, killing seals and other marine mammals just pisses me off. If they were trying to kill my family I would defend them, and that’s how I think of these sentient beings as an extension of my biologic family.
Why in the name of humanity do we not stop this, we try to stop genocide of people, as we should, why are we not stopping the genocide of our planet and animals by the money hungry *#!@$#%’s.
Sorry my rant but that’s how I feel.
#20
Posted 19 February 2012 - 11:58 AM
Yeah they call it research, but it so clearly is NOT. They also kill more than the research quota allows, run over the ships of the sea shepherds and fail to respond to may day calls. THey have no regard for laws or life. DISGUSTING.
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