Do some of you not understand the importance of the Southern Ocean to wildlife?

[lastliberalintexas]

For the defenders of the Japanes vessels:

http://www.ifaw.org/ifaw_canada_french/join_campaigns/protecting_whales_around_the_world/protecting_whales_and_their_habitats/sanctuaries_for_whales_a_global_approach/the_southern_ocean_sanctuary/index.php

http://www.acfonline.org.au/articles/news.asp?news_id=463

http://archive.greenpeace.org/oceans/whales/illegal.html


There is a reason it's called a sanctuary, after all. Out of all the millions of square miles of oceans on this planet, they can't stay out of the SOS?


I also hear many complaints that targeting the Japanes is racist since the Norwegians and Inuits also hunt whales. I also wish that the other few whaling nations of the world would stop, but I at least give them credit for staying out of a freaking *sanctuary* for their whales.

I'd prefer that no people die in the Southern Ocean and hope that the SSCS maintains its safety record again this campaign. It would be simplest of course if the Japanese would stop whaling in the SOS, especially given that the government has to subsidize the whaling industry with tax dollars in order for it to "make a profit" of any kind. Although they don't like the SSCS, I've read that a majority of the Japanese people want the whaling stopped too. Just another example of a government ignoring its people.


on edit- Oh, and, the refueling required for the hunting expeditions is also illegal. Do you really want a spill in those waters?

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/press/releases/oriental-bluebird-de-flagged

[Captain Hilts]

1. I sure do. nt

[WeDidIt]

2. If I had my way

Whale fisherman would all be subject to immediate imprisonment. Life terms. No appeals

Japan fucking pisses me off some times.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. I'd say that some of the complaints are racist...

because of the bigoted ant-japanese slurs that haven't cropping up in the last couple of days.

Also, no, I'm not to concerned about the possibility of fuel spills while refueling. Neither is Sea Shepard, apparently, given their boating practices.

[flvegan]

4. Legal shmegal. The Japanese whaling industry doesn't care.

Not anymore than they care about sending 50 exploding harpoons into 50 humpbacks on their hitlist this season.

But then, why should they? Nobody but Sea Shepherd gives enough of a shit to do anything to stop them.

[MercutioATC]

5. I don't defend EITHER side.

"Research" my ass. The Japanese are whaling.

"Sea Shepherd" my ass. SSCS engages in dangerous vigilantism.

[peace13]

6. Well put.

I will add that there is much sorrow on this planet. In a perfect world we could solve this problem with words between the nations. Strive for perfection. As for me, whales come in somewhere behind the helpless children that our government continues to kill, maim and sicken every day. How do we live with ourselves?

[derby378]

7. I'm siding with Sea Shepherd on this one

I've got nothing personal against Japan or the Japanese people as a whole. But I do have a serious problem with "research" expeditions that are only proving themselves to be increasingly anachronistic.

And Sea Shepherd is operating with a United Nations charter with an all-volunteer crew. This puts them in a different category than, say, Blackwater/Xe.

Furthermore, as pointed out earlier, that region of the Antarctic Ocean is a whale sanctuary. Enough said.

[MercutioATC]

8. Lest the "U.N. charter" statement be misconstrued:

SSCS states that their practices are "guided" by the United Nations World Charter for Nature, specifically Sections 21-24.

They have not been "chartered" by the United Nations.


The text of Sections 21-24:

21. States and, to the extent they are able, other public authorities,
international organizations, individuals, groups and corporations shall:

(a) Co-operate in the task of conserving nature through common
activities and other relevant actions, including information exchange and
consultations;

(b) Establish standards for products and manufacturing processes that
may have adverse effects on nature, as well as agreed methodologies for
assessing these effects;

(c) Implement the applicable international legal provisions for the
conservation of nature and the protection of the environment;

(d) Ensure that activities within their jurisdictions or control do not
cause damage to the natural systems located within other States or in the
areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction;

(e) Safeguard and conserve nature in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

22. Taking fully into account the sovereignty of States over their
natural resources, each State shall give effect to the provisions of the
present Charter through its competent organs and in co-operation with other
States.

23. All persons, in accordance with their national legislation, shall
have the opportunity to participate, individually or with others, in the
formulation of decisions of direct concern to their environment, and shall
have access to means of redress when their environment has suffered damage or
degradation.

24. Each person has a duty to act in accordance with the provisions of
the present Charter; acting individually, in association with others or
through participation in the political process, each person shall strive to
ensure that the objectives and requirements of the present Charter are met.

Only the most self-serving interpretation would construe this to involve ramming shops in open waters.

[derby378]

9. I think you got that backwards

The whalers rammed the SS ship, not the other way around.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

10. Video clearly shows the fault lying with Sea Shepard.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

12. Under maritime law (which is a superset of the USCG regs some quote) the Ady Gil is at fault

You don't get to play chicken with a larger vessel, do a stop and squat, and then blame them when you get hit.

[derby378]

14. Did the Ady Gil crew complain of engine failure or any mechanical problems?

They were being bombarded by water cannons as well as that acoustic cannon that's used against Somali pirates. Those two factors in concert seem to be enough to drive away any small craft that is operable. And, unlike the Somali pirates, I think the Ady Gil crew wasn't armed with anything more dangerous than propeller snags and butyric acid flasks.

But you raise a good point nonetheless.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

16. Nothing other than a loose nut at the helm

They initiated the game of chicken and did a stop and squat. Watson has openly confirmed that. Under maritime law the master of the Ady Gil has primary responsibility for the collision.

There are things you can do to limit the effectiveness of LRADs and the water absorbs much of the energy. The water cannon were fixed in AZ and EL and were not being directed immediately before, during or after the collision. Even so, I would not want to be subject to either let alone both of them.

Its clear that the Ady Gil was underway slowly towards the Maru #2 and later went to full power, again towards the Japanese vessel. After the collision they used reverse thrust to move away. Why they took those actions is something that should be looked at.

My personal opinion is that neither the master of the Ady Gil or the Maru #2 knew how close they were and the collision was not intentional. The video from the Bob Barker has significant relative motion issues and I think exaggerates what were anti collision moves by both skippers. My opinion could easily change as more data comes out.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

13. The IWC allows whaling in that region

The AUS claim of territorial waters and their declaration of a whale sanctuary is not recognized regionally nor internationally.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

11. Whaling in the SOS is actually allowed by the IWC

Whether we like it or not, the ICN has the paper to cover their actions. Heartfelt entreaties are great, but what needs to get fixed is that paper. SSCS is clearly negative added value in getting that done.

[petronius]

15. It's not mutually exclusive - plenty of habitats are vital for wildlife and also

perfectly appropriate places for sustainable hunting, fishing, whaling, etc. And you're right, a spill in that area (any ocean area, really) would be a problem - which is why the SS should stop creating situations in which collisions are likely...

[Quantess]

17. Interesting.