Japanese Whaling Fleet goes back to Japan (Whale Wars)

Sea Shepherd ^ | 2/17/11 | Sea Shepherd

[Dengar01]

VSO Day
Victory in the Southern Ocean Day for the Whales

Pilot Chris Aultman and crewmember Mark Cullivan in an emotional embrace. Photo: Barbara VeigaPilot Chris Aultman and crewmember Mark Cullivan in an emotional embrace. Photo: Barbara VeigaIt’s official – the Japanese whaling fleet has called it quits in the Southern Ocean, at least for this season. And if they return next season, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society will be ready to resume their efforts to obstruct and disable illegal Japanese whaling operations.

“The Nisshin Maru made a significant course change immediately after the Japanese government made it official that the whaling fleet has been recalled,” said Captain Alex Cornelissen from the Bob Barker. “She looks like she’s going home!”

The Sea Shepherd ship Bob Barker has been tailing the Japanese Nisshin Maru factory ship since February 9th making it impossible for the whalers to continue their illegal whaling operations.

“I have a crew of 88 very happy people from 23 different nations including Japan and they are absolutely thrilled that the whalers are heading home and the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary is now indeed a real sanctuary,” said Captain Paul Watson.

The Sea Shepherd ships Steve Irwin, Bob Barker, and Gojira will remain in the Southern Ocean to escort the Japanese ships northward. “We will not leave the whale sanctuary until the last whaling ship has departed,” said Gojira captain Locky MacLean.

“This is a great victory for the whales,” said Captain Watson, “but we did not do this alone. Without the support of the people of Australia and New Zealand, we would not have been able to send voyages out for seven seasons from Australian and New Zealand ports. We are grateful to Senator Bob Brown and the Australian Greens Party. We are very grateful to Mr. Bob Barker for giving us the ship that turned the tide in our efforts to force the Japanese fleet from these waters. We are grateful to all our onshore staff and volunteers, supporting members and ship crews. We are grateful to the Chilean Navy and the government of France for their support. It is a very happy day for people everywhere who love whales and our oceans.”

It’s official – the killing of whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary is over for this season and the whalers did not even take 10% of their quota. Sea Shepherd estimates that over 900 whales have been saved this year.

“It’s a great day for the whales,” said Sea Shepherd Chief Cook on the Steve Irwin Laura Dakin of Canberra, Australia, “and it’s a great day for humanity!”

[Last Dakotan]

I wonder if there were any officers on board, as there does not seem to be any of them that understand the law.

Law, seamanship, engineering, navigation, small engine repair, knot tying, sanitation, etc..etc.

[ClayinVA]

nice graphic

[Dengar01]

There are populations adapted by nature to require a high annual intake of whale meat.

To oppose whaling is to encourage genocide.

That is a bizarre statement. I think you are talking about Eskimos, but this is a thread about Japanese COMMERCIAL whaling.

As stated by another FReeper who lives in Japan. Most Japanese don't eat whale meat and its popularity is decreasing significantly.

I don't recall even the most radical FReepers on this subject screaming about burning down an igloo.

There are no populations below 60 degrees latitude that rely on whale meat.

Please educate yourself before posting, you lower the IQ of the website with a statement like that.

[muawiyah]

Eating whale meat and seal is NOT a cultural artifact ~ it's biological in origin.

I am surprised you have no idea of the various groups that inhabit Japan.

Well, maybe not surprised ~ you lived there. You did DNA tests all over the place; learned the "Devil Language" and maybe even figured out how to count to 10 ~ but it would appear you know nothing. Someday read your notes.

But, some Japanese, Sa'ami and Eskimo aren't the ONLY groups to have had to subsist on whale and seal for thousands of years at a time.

And yes, you are encouraging genocide.

[Dengar01]

I think you are off your meds. Your entire post to me was the ramblings of a mad man. What part of MOST Japanese DONT EAT WHALE MEAT do you not understand???

You are stating that Japanese citizens must eat whale meat in order to physically survive. That is an insane statement.

I would recommend that you immediately call 911 and ask to be put in a psych ward, in the 10 years I've been posting on this website you are the most illogical, insane person I have ever come across.

[muawiyah]

Please cut out the screeching. It's pretty clear YOU know a lot about being off your meds.

Not everybody in Japan needs to eat whalemeat. In fact, no one needs to eat it, but there are who need it, and if the Japanese have it available for sale, that'll take care of that.

However, your advocacy of genocide of very small, far away and little understood minorities is not at all anything to recommend you to polite society. It's still genocide.