Sea Shepherd

[Paul Ward]

The Antarctic Whale Sanctuary was set up by the IWC (International Whaling Commission)

http://www.iwcoffice.org/conservation/sanctuaries.htm

though Japan has tried to scrap the idea:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems...6/s1398374.htm

I emailed the Japanese Whaling Association on more than one occasion asking for evidence of their scientific findings (originally in January 2002):

Hi there,

I have a web site www.coolantarctica.com that is a general Antarctica site. I am in the process of adding a "whales and whaling" section. I have no particular axe to grind or alternative agenda, I wish to present information to an audience that consists of many schools and teachers. The section will contain basic facts and pictures about whales, historical information and present day information.

Would it be possible to present some of the scientific information on my site that has been found by the Japanese whaling programme? The whaling pages are not yet in place, perhaps you would want to see them first, but they will be presented in the same manner as the pages on travel in Antarctica where I have contributions and links about pro and anti-tourism.

My own position is as a concerned naturalist eager to promote Antarctica, I do not suffer from the mawkish anthropomorphism of some campaigners. If you were able to contribute anything, I would happy to submit the page that I use it in for your approval or otherwise before publishing it on my site.

Best regards
Paul Ward

I never received a reply.

There are a number of publications on the JWA website, but they all seem to aim in the direction that the "scientific" aspect of the whaling is to determine if it possible to continue commercial whaling.

This is very different to what most people would understand by scientific research into whales.

I am interested 4islands in why you support regulated whaling when the means of killing has been shown time and again to be the most barbaric manner of killing any animal for human consumption that there is?

When the killing is totally unnecessary for food production (though was not always so historically) why should it now continue?

[4islands]

Originally Posted by Paul Ward

I never received a reply.

There are a number of publications on the JWA website, but they all seem to aim in the direction that the "scientific" aspect of the whaling is to determine if it possible to continue commercial whaling.

This is very different to what most people would understand by scientific research into whales.

I am interested 4islands in why you support regulated whaling when the means of killing has been shown time and again to be the most barbaric manner of killing any animal for human consumption that there is?

When the killing is totally unnecessary for food production (though was not always so historically) why should it now continue?

Have you been to the web site of the Institute of Cetacean Research? They may have the kind of information you are looking for.

http://www.icrwhale.org/eng-index.htm
http://www.icrwhale.org/Comments.htm

I have heard that there are over a million minke whales today. If that is a more or less accurate estimate, taking a couple of thousand from that reserve a year sounds sustainable, now that only a few countries are interested in whaling today. In fact, the Japanese Fishery Agency says that it will protect 98% of whales in the world, which sounds more than reasonable.

[Paul Ward]

Originally Posted by 4islands

Have you been to the web site of the Institute of Cetacean Research? They may have the kind of information you are looking for.

I have heard that there are over a million minke whales today. If that is a more or less accurate estimate, taking a couple of thousand from that reserve a year sounds sustainable, now that only a few countries are interested in whaling today. In fact, the Japanese Fishery Agency says that it will protect 98% of whales in the world, which sounds more than reasonable.

The research on the site you link to seems to confirm what I said. The research is all to gauge stocks and the possible sustainability of a fishery.

No planned fishery - no research needed - no whales need be killed.

Although all the whales killed for "research" were all sold for meat in Japan, so it was a commercial fishery all along anyhow. Seems I was a little wide-eyed and naive thinking there may have been some real "research" going on rather than just an annual look-see so the whalers could start killing again in earnest.

From the "Institute for Cetacean Research" website:

Japan's Whale Research: What's it all about?

Research. Basing decisions on fact, not fiction. Scientific research is an essential part of the conservation and management of all marine resources, including whales. The International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling requires that all of its regulations be based on scientific findings. In 1987 Japan established a scientific whale research program to study Southern Ocean Minke whales and the Antarctic ecosystem. This is the world's only long-term study providing information on the role of whales in the ecosystem and the effects of environmental changes on whales. A research program began in the North Pacific in 1994. If limited commercial capture of any species of whale is to be reintroduced it must be based on scientific evidence which proves there is no risk posed to that species' long-term numbers or status.

Other countries didn't need to carry out research as they didn't intend to start commercial whaling again.

As far as I'm concerned, this has only served to prove that the bogus research was designed to find a pre-defined end result.

Killing whales to research when is the best time to start killing whales for commercial gain is cynical and verging on the fraudulent as an excuse!

Thank you for drawing my attention to this website.

You still haven't given an answer to my previous question:

I am interested 4islands in why you support regulated whaling when the means of killing has been shown time and again to be the most barbaric manner of killing any animal for human consumption that there is?

Or do you not care? A further qusetion - what is your connection with the Japanese whaling industry?

[psr]

After reading all of this I felt that I had to put in my two cents worth. I can't in all honesty understand the "Antarctica Sancutuary". I don't think that the whales can tell the difference between "sabctuarised" waters and those not so blessed.......all of the oceans should be whaling free. If the humans can't seem to understand the simple concept of "Don't touch!" how can we expect the whales to understand that there are some waters which are not safe for swimming.....perhaps whales need to be trained to "swim between the flags"??? Yes, I guess it kind of incenses me to see such harmless creatures, majestic creatures being treated like peasants, and all for the laughable ecuse of "research!" It's kind of like people who keep birds in cages...they have wings for a reason.

I feel better now.
psr

[jani]

They are not reasearching the whales they are shooting them with exploding harpoons,male females in calf makes no difference, they take their quota no matter what only for the fire they had this year they would have done it in the antarctic too.
The whales have no sanctuary the japanese get round that too, no one else can fish in the antarctic waters like that they sell the whale meat to the rich which fund buying votes for whaling at the I.W.C they take about a 1000 whales per quota been going on say at least 20yrs that's 20,000 whales.

[psr]

HI Paul,

Unfortunately I didn't get to watch the entire news report on the Sea Shepherd and the Japanese (again) but what is going on?? When is something going to be done about whaling for "scientific" purposes?? I mean really! How is studying a dead whale going to help you come closer to understanding how a live whale lives in its natural habitat?? How stupid do these Japanese think we are? Whales have always been one of my favourites but how much longer can people ignore the facts...we are going to lose them and then what? I'm sorry but I guess I needed to vent!

psr

PS You've got mail.

[Pirates Armada]

Everyone should donate anything they can to Sea Shepherd Conservation even if it is a small donation. They are the only ones who are actively protecting our oceans (which are being devastated by over fishing) Pass the word on too. Tell people you know about their mission. If they care enough they too will donate.

At this time it's obvious governments such as Australia are all talk and no action when it comes to using force. Which means we are left with all the hard work the caring folks at Sea Shepherd do.

ps - whale killers/eaters, take a long walk off a short dock in the name of science!!

[psr]

Obviously I'm not the only onw who feels strongly about this topic and although I hate to admit the uselessness of the Australian government when it comes to environmental issues I have to agree with you. We've just had a change of government and a lot more "greenies" are finding their way to parliament house. Many people are hoping that this new government will act on their election promises (fools that we are) and they will try and find a balance between our environmental concerns and our industrial/economic growth. They have started on a small scale but unfortunately the issue of whaling no one wants to touch. They were making noises about doing something last night on the news in reaction to the Japanese whalers but even though a government ship was sent out it won't do anything!!!! Maybe the Sea SHepherd crew should be sailing it! Aren't there any environmentally conscience Japanese people??? Why don't they kick up a fuss about the actions of their whalers? Surely not all Japanese people agree with whaling?

Let's hope that the whales fiind somewhere to hide.............? As an Australian I guess I feel that our government should be more responsible or at least let the greenies do their job without interfering. We love to go whale spotting and use the whales as a tourist attraction but we don't want to pull our fingers to try and save them. Ther irony is that the don't need saving...they just want to be left alone!

psr

PS Maybe we need to build a longer dock......which ends at a high cliff with no water beneath!

[Pirates Armada]

green peace is protecting the Whalers!!! how funny is that. i don't understand why people give these folks money to exist when all they do at best is take pictures/videos and send them in to lobby for whaling to stop. here's a news flash - everyone nows the whaling is going on already and the meat is being sold to the market place. your green peace crew was caught eating it in japan. there were also tons of whale meat that was just confiscated from korea.
how much more evidence is needed before a government or someone in the government with balls will step up and do something? green peace hinders the sea shepherd from protecting whales. they are phony, go home green peace!!!!!!

[Angie]

Sea Shepherd is about to embark again,Operation Musshi

we do have a forum as well ,if any one wants to keep up to date with whats going on.

http://www.seashepherd.com.au/forum/register.php