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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 8:57 pm Post Subject: Japanese Whaling EMAIL your PROTEST...
Quote:
The Japanese whaling fleet set sail yesterday in defiance of international condemnation with plans to land what could be the biggest catch of minke and humpback whales since the 1960s.
As it has for more than two decades, the Japanese Government referred to the expedition as “scientific”. It is a description that infuriates anti-whaling activists. Whale meat harvested on the expeditions is sold on to the Japanese market and the profits used to fund “future research”.
As part of its declared mission to collect scientific data on the age and “mode of life” of Antarctic whale stocks, the Japanese fleet is hoping for a haul of 850 minke — an increase of 70 per cent from last season. But for the first time in more than 40 years, the whalers’ harpoons will also be aimed at humpback and fin whales — species beloved of whale-watchers.
Japan, which defends whaling as a cultural tradition, argues that stocks can survive the size of cull it is planning. Estimates by the American Cetacean Society suggest a worldwide population of up to 40,000 humpback whales: the World Conservation Union places the species two rungs below the highest risk of extinction.
Since the 1986 international moratorium on commercial whaling, Japan has conducted its annual outing to the Southern Ocean under the auspices of the Institute of Cetacean Research — a body set up in 1987. The International Whaling Commission does not ban hunting whales for scientific purposes.
The fleet will sail to the Southern Ocean — the hunting grounds where Japanese whalers caught 500 minke last year. That expedition landed far fewer than intended, being cut short when a fire broke out on board the mother ship and a crewman was killed.
The six ships, led by the repaired 8,000-tonne Nisshin Maru, were played off to sea from the southern port of Shimonoseki by a brass band and the cheers of local wellwishers.
But on the high seas, say antiwhaling protesters such as Greenpeace, the fleet is likely to encounter a less than hearty welcome.
The six Japanese whaling ships are expected to face a barrage of attempts to sabotage the hunt. Clashes between the whalers and Greenpeace activists in previous years have involved protesters steering boats into the Japanese harpoon-gunners’ line of fire.
“Although we are subjected to vicious blocking tactics by environmental groups we have to continue this into the future,” said the fleet’s captain, Hajima Ishikawa, at a ceremony to mark its departure. Other officials urged Japan’s people to fight for their whale-eating culture.
But Japanese tastes have changed, and whale-eating is in decline. Previous catches have been held in storage, creating a “blubber mountain” of many thousands of tonnes. Schoolchildren have been given lectures on the delights of grilled whale flesh, and unsold whalemeat has ended up on the menus of old people’s homes.
The whaling debate consistently places Japan on the receiving end of emotional condemnation. Japan’s unflinching support for whaling, say government insiders, stems from a horror of being dictated to by the outside world. Among the fears is that if it gives ground on whaling, conservationists’ next target will be the tuna fleets.
The departure of the whaling fleet had been delayed to accommodate Yasuo Fukuda’s first visit to Washington as Prime Minister. Officials were reportedly concerned that had the fleet left last Thursday, as planned, the issue might have created friction between Mr Fukuda and President Bush.
In London, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said it would consider “high-level diplomatic protest” to the Japanese Government. “We do not believe that Japan’s proposed lethal research that targets vulnerable humpback populations is necessary, and we have serious reservations as to its scientific value,” the department said. “We are committed to maintaining the moratorium on commercial whaling and will oppose all efforts by Japan to undermine this with so-called ’scientific’ whaling.
“We will consider high-level diplomatic protest following consultation with like-minded anti-whaling countries.”
Robbie Marsland, of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, said that footage of Japanese whaling “shows whales taking over half an hour to die a very slow and agonising death. Killing endangered whales for products that nobody needs is beneath the dignity of a great nation like Japan.”
As you may know I find the Whalers to be repugnant vermin and if you do too please email the following people to express your distaste for their fellow countrymens uncivilised actions...
HE Mr Toshihiro Takahashi, Ambassador
Majestic Centre, 100 Willis St, Wellington
Telephone +64 4 473 1540 Fax +64 4 471 2951
emails to japan.emb@eoj.org.nz
Consulate-General of Japan, Auckland
Telephone +64 9 303 4106 Fax +64 9 377 7784
emails to japan@cgj.govt.nz
Consular Office of Japan, Christchurch
Telephone +64 3 366 5680 / 9030 Fax +64 365 3173
emails to cojchc@jpncon.org.nz
Joined: 15 May 2007
Posts: 977
Location: north-east victoria
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:30 pm Post Subject:
yes , and if you want addresses to write to closer to home (as i have done ) , check out the sea shepherds website , they leave greenpeace in the dust , as a spent force , riddled with rot , in the form of an army of lawyers , accountants ,. and other unmentionable predators and parasites
A famous daughter of Aotearoa/New Zealand will be heading south in early December to help confront the most vicious whale killers in the world. Australian based Maori singer/songwriter Mihirangi who has toured the world with her music and songs has decided that she needs to do what she can to stop the cruel and illegal slaughter of whales by the Japanese whaling fleet. The singer will join the crew of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s ship, Robert Hunter to intervene and defend whales from slaughter.
On November 9th Captain Paul Watson, founder and president of Sea Shepherd was led to a hui (meeting) of the Maori at Raglan, New Zealand by Mihirangi. As she approached the local meeting hall with the Karanga (call) Mihirangi was received with her guests with a response of the same by the local Kuia (Female Elder). Mihirangi led Captain Watson to the front of a gathering of people in a traditional Powhiri (welcome) where the Kaumatua (Tribal Elder) gave a mihi and whaikorero, traditional acknowledgement and formal greetings, to which Captain Watson warmly and wittily responded to much delight and gratitude of the local people. The Maori gathering had given their blessing to the Sea Shepherd Captain and crew for their up-coming voyage to the Southern Oceans to defend endangered whales from the illegal activities of the Japanese Whaling fleet.
The Maori flag will fly from the masthead of the Sea Shepherd ship Robert Hunter and Mihirangi will join the crew along with some thirty-five other volunteers from around the world. Mihirangi is an internationally acclaimed artist who has toured extensively throughout her Native Aotearoa,Australia, Europe, Canada and the United States. Mihirangi’s performance was one of the highlight at the Sea Shepherd 30th Anniversary Event in Santa Monica, California where she performed for over 500 people.
“Ever since I first heard of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society I have felt a great sense of relief that there is a committed group of people who are willing to defend Nature from the overpowering and sightless greed of those who are hell-bent on economy and not ecology. It is human character to protect that which you believe in, that which you cherish and that which you love… I love Nature and I know that we as part of the Earths bionetwork may not survive the mass extinctions that we are now facing due to the stupidity of a powerful few and the ever increasing global population. I hope that by going on this campaign that I contribute to the survival of an intelligent and magnificent animal that plays a crucial role in the bio-diversity of the world we live in,” said Mihirangi.
As a supporting member of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Mihirangi has performed at several fund-raising benefits for Sea Shepherd on behalf of the whales. She is now a committed conservation activist and on the board of directors of Sea Shepherd Australia.
“I am proud to have her onboard for this campaign,” said Captain Watson. “She brings a spirit to our decks that we very much welcome. The Maori have a profound respect for the whales and she represents the respect of her people for these magnificent sentient beings. Her meditative spirituality, her powerful music and solid commitment will help us to better focus on the pursuit of those that bring death and suffering to the great whales.”
Mihirangi will depart on the Robert Hunter from Australia which is scheduled to set forth the first week of December bound for the waters of the Southern Oceans Whale Sanctuary.
Do you think they installed the torpedo tubes this time? 8)
