Sea Shepherd's, Whalers' Boat Collide In Antarctic

SYDNEY — A group of radical anti-whaling activists said they were pelted with bloody chunks of whale meat and blubber after their boat collided Friday with a Japanese whaling vessel in a dramatic Antarctic Ocean clash Japan condemned as "unforgivable."

It was the second battle this week between the whalers and their foes. No one was injured, but the skirmishes mark the resumption of potentially life-threatening run-ins in a contentious fight that has become an annual fixture in the remote, icy and dangerous waters at the bottom of the world.

"The situation down here is getting very, very chaotic and very aggressive," activist Paul Watson, captain of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's vessel, told The Associated Press on Friday by satellite phone.

The clashes come as diplomatic efforts to resolve the controversy surrounding Japan's scientific whaling program appear to have stalled.

Japan _ which has described the protesters as terrorists _ plans to harvest up to 935 minke whales and 50 fin whales this season. Under International Whaling Commission rules, the mammals may be killed for research. Opponents say the Japanese research expeditions are simply a cover for commercial whaling, which was banned in 1986.

Watson said Friday's fracas began as his crew tried to maneuver their boat into a position that would have prevented the Japanese from dragging a whale on board their whaling vessel. Another Japanese ship shot in front of Watson's boat, causing a collision, Watson said.

"We can see the blood pouring out by the barrel," Watson said from his boat _ named after the late Australian conservationist and TV personality Steve Irwin _ as he watched the Japanese haul another whale onto their vessel. Earlier in the day, he said, the Japanese hurled pieces of blubber and whale meat at the Steve Irwin.

Japan blamed Sea Shepherd for the crash, characterizing the incident as a "deliberate ramming."

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Shigeki Takaya, a Fisheries Agency spokesman for whaling in Japan, accused the conservationists of "appalling and unforgivable" acts.

"We will ask concerned countries, including Australia, to immediately stop them from carrying out such horrendous acts," Takaya said.

Protesters aboard the Steve Irwin set off from Australia in early December for the Antarctic Ocean, chasing the whaling fleet for about 2,000 miles (3,200 kilometers) before stopping two weeks ago in Tasmania to refuel. The group found the whalers again on Sunday and resumed their pursuit.

During the initial chase, Watson's crew pelted the Japanese with bottles of butyric acid, produced from rancid butter. In one December clash, Japan accused the Sea Shepherd crew of ramming one of its vessels, causing minor damage to the ship. Watson said the Steve Irwin only lightly brushed the whaling vessel.

This week, tensions escalated after Watson said two members of his crew were slightly injured when the Japanese blasted them with a water cannon and hurled heavy hunks of metal. Watson accused the Japanese of using a "military grade" noise weapon that can cause deafness and vomiting.

Despite the recent drama, this whaling season has been relatively peaceful compared to previous years.

In January 2008, two Sea Shepherd activists jumped onto a Japanese ship and spent several days in detention on board.

In March 2008, Watson said he was shot at during a confrontation with the whalers, and was saved by his bulletproof vest. Japan denied shots were fired.

That incident came just a few days after Japan said several of its whalers were lightly injured after being hit by containers of rotten butter. Japan responded by shooting back "sound balls" similar to stun grenades.

Sea Shepherd and the whalers still blame each other for a 2007 collision that left the Robert Hunter _ since renamed the Steve Irwin _ with a 3-foot (1-meter) gash in its stern.

That year, Japan's whaling hunt ended early after a fire broke out aboard the mother ship, killing one crew member and forcing the fleet to limp back to port. It was not clear what caused the blaze.

Watson, who regularly vows to do anything short of deliberately hurting people to stop whalers, said Friday that he and his crew have no plans to turn back _ and will continue to chase the whalers until their fuel supplies run out.

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Associated Press writer Shino Yuasa in Tokyo contributed to this report.

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On the Net:

Sea Shepherd: http://www.seashepherd.org/

Japan Fisheries Agency: http://www.jfa.maff.go.jp/whale/

Comments

[Dan Cox]

I just got back from 5 days of whale watching/p­hotography in Baja. While there, I read "Whale Warriors" about the Sea Shepards. It was an amazing 5 days, with too many whales to count. After watching them play, protect their calves, interact with humans and dolphins, I can only say that it was a very enlightening and spiritual week with other species of higher intelligence.
After reading/seeing what the Japanese are doing in Antarctica, I have an idea!
Lets start a campaign and tell the Japanese government and Japanese people that new research shows that Icelanders taste just like whale.
then, lets tell the Icelanders that Japanese taste just like whale.
Maybe we can get them to start harvesting each other, in the name of "science".

[ptsd6869]

I'M SENDING OFF A DONATION TODAY. MY WIFE AND I ARE SICK OF THE JAPANESE CLAIMING THEY NEED MORE WHALES EACH YEAR FOR RESEARCH. THAT'S LIKE CLAIMING THEY STILL NEED TO CONTINUE TO SURVEY PEARL HARBOR FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES. I CAN'T BELIEVE WE LOOKED AT A NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID! SAYONARA CARS FROM THE RISING SUN.

[protagonia]

In a just world, they would be outlawed from whaling altogether. Either that or a squadron of torpedo armed anti shipping planes sent in to remind them to go home in peace.

[formerprosecutor]

HERE ARE THE REAL FACTS
Japan rejects proposal that would end research whale hunts in Antarctic waters
1. By SHINO YUASA | Associated Press Writer
4:08 AM EST, February 3, 2009
TOKYO (AP) — Japan said Tuesday it will reject any proposal by the International Whaling Commission that halts its research missions in the Antarctic, making it unlikely that a compromise plan for limited coastal whaling would work.

The proposal would allow Japan to hunt whales commercially in its territorial waters in exchange for phasing out its research whale hunt in the Antarctic Ocean.

Japan quickly said that wasn't good enough.

"We cannot accept a proposal that discontinues our research hunting," Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shigeru Ishiba told reporters.

The world body, which regulated the hunting of many species of whales, has been paralyzed by a clash between pro- and anti-whaling countries.

Japan hunts whales under a program allowed by international rules, but opponents say the research expeditions are a cover for commercial whaling, which was banned in 1986. Japan's whaling fleet, currently in the Antarctic Ocean, plans to harvest up to 935 minke whales and 50 fin whales this season. TO BE CONTINUED

[formerprosecutor]

According to the IWC proposal, Japan could hunt minke whales at four coastal areas for five years. The hunts would have to be confined to day-trips with no more than five vessels, and all catches would be consumed locally.

In exchange, the proposal calls for a phase-out of hunting whales in the Southern Ocean and an end to the hunt of humpback whales there. The proposal will be discussed at the IWC's meeting next month in Rome.

"If this is a move toward ending research whaling, then it could be a major step forward," said Wakao Hanaoka, with Greenpeace. "But there are many uncertain points. ... It's too early to welcome the proposal."

Japan has hunted whales for hundreds of years, and the meat is a sentimental favorite of people who lived through the lean postwar years, when whale was the chief source of protein because Japan couldn't afford pork or beef. Whale was a common family dish, and many schoolchildren ate it every day.

It is still easily found in restaurants and canned in supermarkets, but is not a part of a typical home-cooked meal.

Japan has in the past threatened to leave the IWC if the commercial whaling ban is not lifted, and has strongly lobbied for an end to the moratorium.

Iceland resumed commercial whaling in 2006 and is one of only two countries, along with Norway, to authorize fishermen to hunt whales to sell for their meat. Neither country recognizes IWC rules.

[formerprosecutor]

From "Soule23"

"As a "formerprosecutor," I would have assumed that you would understand that. The logical problem that you are running into is the idea that whales are endowed with all the same rights as humans. This may or may not be true, and is, until the whales complain about what is being done to them, a moot point dependent more upon belief than fact."

You maybe arguing "equal rights for whales"; but that is not my question or even the direction of my arguments..

How is that I am "running into" anything? What is "logical" about the problem as you described it? How is this question "moot"? What "beliefs" and what "facts" are you referring to? Are you just stringing together words that make no sense for the purpose of appearing to take part in this discussion?
Why are your underpinnings of this discussion about "rights" of whales; when the question is really about man's right to disobey unjust laws?

[gjohntheterrible]

The Japanese whalers are in the same league as people who think that 6 billion people on the planet do not have a hand in climate change.

[Laurent Rains]

I know that I am late to the table to comment on this article, but I have not seen any good arguements why the Sea Shepards are within their rights to ram, board and otherwise interfere with another country's vessel. While I am not a fan of whale hunting and the Japanese "research"is questionable, there are a number of issues with applauding this group.

1. Watson is endangering both his crew and the whalers with his escapades.
2. Non-violent anti-whaling activism is getting a bad name.
3. This will not change a countries perceptions regarding whaling, but rather radicalize them.

I come from the marine industry and believe that it is important to preserve our resources. however, there are limits and more constructive ways to do so.

[formerprosecutor]

How far back did you read?

[Connee]

Japan has not had one peer reviewed paper published . Japan is whaling in a Whale Sanctuary. Japan threatens countries with their trade relations if they try to go against them for the whaling. Sea Shepherd and her crew know they risk their lives and do it willingly. The ultimate act of love. Sea Shepherd's Captain Paul Watson has been defending whales, seals, wolves, elephants, American Indians, and all of sea life for almost 40 years now.He has risked death himself many times..so violent are those that would brutally murder thousands of animals in one season for their meat or for human vanities. We are reaping that which we have sown. The whales were here long before we ever appeared on the planet...and because of Sea Shepherd, they may be here long after us. To those who make bs remarks in here, who have never seen a whale or been around them, who do not respect those who were her before us, you show your ignorance and contempt of life. Members of Sea Shepherds are vegetarians/ vegans and we respect life and cherish it. We will give our voices for the whales, our money, time and most importantly we will, if called upon to do so, give our lives. We are lucky because we have found something worth dying for...those who just come in here to harass others that care make our resolve stronger and illustrate the mentality of the worst side of humanity.

[formerprosecutor]

I an not a vegan, even not a true vegetarian; but that doesn't stop me from knowing the horror in the minds (yes; they are thinking , feeling intelligent mammals; documented to experience affection and devotion).

There is no necessity of survival in this slaughter.

The barbarity must stop.

[Soule23]

The Finns have "research vessels" to "collect specimens" of whale too, but we don't criticize them for it/accuse them of being culturally degenerate. Could it be because they're white?

[formerprosecutor]

If Norway and Finland are fishing instead of authentic research I would be the first to cry "murder". I don't "like" the fact that the international "we" cannot preclude the death of animals for pure science;; but there should be striict parameters in accordance with the epistemologies of animal rights.

By the way I am a person of color; does that fact any more to my arguement; of course not... that is just silly

[Soule23]

So far as I know, the research being performed by the Nordic countries is no more authentic than that being done by the Japanese. Whether you are a person of color or not, if you have been following the boards on the Sea Shepherd stories, you have to admit that there has been a lot of subtle anti-Japan­ese/anti-A­sian sentiment expressed. I tend to agree with the idea that the international whale-hunting ban ought to be upheld, even for the Japanese and the Finns/Norwegians, but there is something unsettling to me about the vigilante style of enforcement of the ban carried out by the Sea Shepherd folks (it will be an entertaining media circus until someone is killed) and the (racist) tone of the arguments being made by the supposedly­-progressi­ve people on these boards.

[formerprosecutor]

Evidently, Iceland and Norway (according to the AP article I posted above) are total scofflaws. So,.. I guess the "rule of law" is off the table when it comes to their behavior.
Since they do not recognize that an international body has dominion over them, then I suppose they would likewise have no recourse if their ships are interfered with by anti-whalers. More barbarians.

[formerprosecutor]

You have tried to throw race and abortion into this debate about Japanes whalers.

Why?

[Soule23]

No. You haven't read what I have written:

Race/nationality is relevant to the debate because it appears as though Sea Shepherd and its sympathizers here are willing to heckle, attack, and perhaps even kill Japanese whalers, writing them off as somehow less than human. If you had followed the board (which you admit that you have not) you would have seen multiple attacks on the entire Japanese people and their culture, rather than on the whaling industry as a global evil. I chalk this up to racism or xenophobia because it expresses enmity toward an entire people, and does not challenge the same contemptible actions being carried out by Northern Europeans.

I threw abortion in because I was making an analogy. An analogy that would probably make sense to you if you actually stopped to think about it instead of simply reacting. You choose to question the content of the analogy rather than its relevance or soundness, which really makes me question your credentials as a "formerprosecutor."

[SeaKitten]

I just saw video of the collision. These activists should be arrested for attempted mur der. If I had been the captain of that Japanese boat, I would have been perfectly within my rights had I blo wn the heads off of every one of 'em.

[formerprosecutor]

What sort of research can any authentic scientist be doing when the Japanese are butchering the whales on shipboard. None; these are fishing boats ; not research vessels. The international community must intervene.

Simply because whaling has a cultural connections is not persuasive. The collective “We” used to engage in a great number of acts that are outlawed or rejected by the major world governments and their societies.

Slavery; Women and children considered property; one used to have the right to beat your buggy horse to death in the town square should you so desire; Landholders to take the life of any of his “subjects” at will.

“We” have caused the extinction or at least endangerment of so many animals and birds for hats, pelts (coats and robes); information easily recited by any grade school child, yet we have not learned our lesson.

[formerprosecutor]

Now it has come to this. Arguably, the second most intelligent life form on this planet it hunted to put expensive meat on the tables of the ultra rich. Frankly, I couldn’t be more appalled if the meat on the table was human.

The people trying to intervene in this slaughter of defenseless thinking family creatures are no less the rank of the abolitionists and underground railroad men and women that risked hanging for the safety and freedom of slaves. No less the courage of the men and women that brought freedom and education to places where women and children were prohibited from learning and choice; brutalized and killed at will. They intervened at their own peril, and many seeking justice for the helpless have lost thei lives.

Law? There is no just law that allows the slaughter of these intelligent mammals; that show love and caring to their children and one another. No law that allows one country to take what belongs to none.
“There is but one law for all, namely that law which governs all law, the law of our Creator, the law of humanity, justice, equity,-The Law of Nature...” BURKE

An unjust law is no law; this barbarity must stop.

[richchaplin]

Considering the human-led mass extinctions over the past 50 years, on a par with the extinction event that ended the dinosaurs, perhaps it would be better if the meat on the plate WERE human. We're dooming ourselves anyways. I'm just glad that at age 45 I probably won't be here to see the cities flooded and the food riots in Detroit, etc., that will happen in 2050 or so.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Please read this para again:
"Japan _ which has described the protesters as terrorists _ plans to harvest up to 935 minke whales and 50 fin whales this season. Under International Whaling Commission rules, the mammals may be killed for research. Opponents say the Japanese research expeditions are simply a cover for commercial whaling, which was banned in 1986."

Japan is killing just under 1000 whales this season and those who want to STOP the slaughter are the terrorists?

What does "harvest" have to do with killing intelligent mammals with exploding harpoons?

What "research" is being performed? Where are the scientific, peer-reviewed papers?

Twenty-two years after commercial whale slaughter was banned by the international community, Japan is still at it. And ONLY the Sea Shepherd is doing anything about it.

It's as simple as that.

[formerprosecutor]

It really is that simple


This is very similar to the arguement used by countries wanting uranium; etc "for research"

But what is the reality

[evi1joe]

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is one of the ONLY organizations actively trying to stop the wholesale devastation of our oceans. I've been aboard the Farley Mowat (the original flagship) and worked with Paul and Alex--both of whom are not without their faults, mean well, and the standouts in the crew and Charles in the engine room are all great people. Read the interview with Paul Watson at Bite Back (you have to scroll down through a bunch of weird code-mess): http://www.directaction.info/library_watson.htm

[QueenCeleste]

Thank you for the interview.

I switched my support from Greenpeace to the Sea Shepherd years ago. Captain Paul Watson is my hero! I will never forget watching him denounce his Canadian citizenship years ago--one of one the most passionate, dedicated people today. He and his remarkable, brave crew are in my prayers every day.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Anyone who thinks the collision was the fault of the protest ship is mistaken.

My analysis below of the video proves it was the Japanese ship's fault, 100%.

[SeaKitten]

You are a maroon. The video clearly shows the activist boat turning rapidly into the side of the whaling ship. You're blinded by your politics.

[boogitz]

SeaKitten, it is obvious who the "maroon" is here (Speling semes to bee a problemm fur yu). Judging by all your puerile comments, kids are better off in school learning instead of wasting your time blogging.

[Yaaawn]

I don't care how much you detest whale hunting. Ramming ships in the arctic is the height of stupidy. You could easily capsize, puncture holes in ships or kill people in and out of the ship or knock someone overboard. That kind of act can kill hundreds of people. You want to protest, then do so. There are ways to do it. But, if your act kills someone. You should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

[lokipuck]

Do you bore yourself, Yaaawn? Go back to sleep.

[formerprosecutor]

I think that we are all aware of the dangers.

People have been fighting and dying for causes since the dawn of man.

Paraphrasing Patton ...make the other son of a b i. ct. h give his life for his country

And make sure you warn everyone not to run with scissors