Japan says 'sabotage' hurt whaling hunt

upi ^ | March. 9, 2012

[JoeProBono]

TOKYO, -- Japan says its whaling fleet ended its annual antarctic hunt with just a third of its target catch of more than 900 whales, and blamed "sabotage" by activists.

Fisheries Minister Michihiko Kano said Friday "sabotage" by the Sea Shepherd environmental protest flotilla along with bad weather resulted in the reduced catch of its whaling program, The Australian newspaper reported.

The U.S.-based anti-whaling group follows the Japanese fleet south every year in a bid to disrupt its hunt.

Commercial whaling has been banned for 25 years but Japan catches about 1,000 whales annually in what it says is a scientific research program.

Japan's decision to recall its fleet from the Southern Ocean was welcomed by the Australian government, which said it condemned all commercial whaling, "including Japan's so-called 'scientific' whaling program."

"Japan's whaling activities are contrary to international law," a government statement said. "That is why Australia commenced and will continue legal action in the International Court of Justice."

Anti-whaling groups said they were pleased that the Japanese fleet left the Southern Ocean.

"I think it's been a very successful campaign," Sea Shepard President Paul Watson told the BBC. "I predicted they wouldn't take over 30 percent and they got 26 percent, so we were right on that one."

[JoeProBono]

[Jack Hydrazine]

Why can’t the naval assets of the Jap Defense Force be used to stop these enviro-nuts who are harassing them?

[Pecos]

The pirates’ outboard motor could have been taken out by a single .50 BMG round. They continue their actions because they (the pirates) see no downside to their actions.

[GonzoGOP]

Why can’t the naval assets of the Jap Defense Force be used to stop these enviro-nuts who are harassing them?

Two major reasons. The biggest is probably cost. Japanese warships tend to be short legged, as they are intended for political reasons to defend the home islands and not much more. Maintaining warships that far from home, and without any friendly ports means a heck of a fleet train of tankers replenishment ships. It costs more than the whaling industry, already rumored to be heavily subsidized, could bring in.

Then there is the problem that much of the waters where this is going on are claimed by Australia. Japan doesn't recognize that claim. The Australians complain about Japanese whalers, however the Australians don't do anything about it. However sending a warship into waters claimed by another nation is a different matter. Australia would have to react with ships of their own. While the Australian Navy is a joke compared to the JMSDF they would be operating a heck of a lot closer to home.

The Chilean navy has been blunt that if the whaling fleet ever enters their waters it won't get back out. That came up last year when the whalers had to turn back into the Sea Hippies after almost giving them the slip on a circumpolar run.

At this point, with their economy in ruins Japan doesn't need a shooting war with Australia or Chile. As for the Sea Hippies they are acting much like the privateers under Queen Elizabeth I. The Australians are letting them go out and do what they are unable to do. And if the Sea Hippies go to far the Australians can always deny everything.

[dfwgator]

“RAMMING SPEEEEED!”

[House Atreides]

I’m pretty much conservative in all aspects of my life and in my beliefs. But I find myself not at all in sympathy with the Japanese whalers. There’s no way that “scientific research” requires harvesting of 900 or 1,000 whales. They are not conducting “scientific research” but instead are clearly conducting commercial whaling against their treaty obligations.

I just wish they were kept to a “harvest” of much fewer than the 300 they managed to kill.

So I say keep this particular “sabotage” up.

[JoeProBono]

[peeps36]

The Japanese should play a little offense instead of always remaining strictly defensive. They should also use non lethal weapons that inflict pain and discomfort. The best way to deter a bully is to punch him in the nose.

[dfwgator]

The best way to deter a bully is to punch him in the nose.

Or in this case, the best way to deter a hippy is to spray some soapy water on him.

[JoeProBono]

[Pecos]

And your little dog, Toto, too.

[driftdiver]

Of course they are harvesting whales. Its only called ‘scientific’ because that was an attempt to appease the environmentalists.

Do you eat meat? How about other fish? The whales they harvest are not endangered.

Why do you support terrorism?

[Truth29]

"The pirates’ outboard motor could have been taken out by a single .50 BMG round. They continue their actions because they (the pirates) see no downside to their actions."

Agree. Treat these pirates for what they are. Shoot out their motors. If they try and board one of whalers or foul their props again, shoot them.

[dfwgator]

What would the Russians do?

[driftdiver]

That’ll buff out

[Jack Hydrazine]

Thanks for the explanation. That really puts the whole situation into perspective. It looks like the whalers are the ones who will have be the ones that will need to push the enviro-nuts back. I’m just wondering how hard they can push back without getting into serious trouble.

[JoeProBono]

[Oztrich Boy]

Junk it and claim the insurance

[moehoward]

"So I say keep this particular “sabotage” up."

Roger that. My primary concern is that their effectiveness is making for some pretty boring television.

[Utilizer]

I agree with you in that regard. The Nipponese whaling fleet is conducting 'research' only in regards as to how to successfully harpoon a whale and then harvest it for a tiny, select market whose desires represent not even a tiny fraction of the needs of any other denizen of this planet.

They could cease all whaling tomorrow and it would affect no one in any significant aspect worth mentioning. Now if they stopped harvesting tuna, I could understand any reluctance on their part, but whales? The wankers are merely annoyed that anyone else in the world objects to their playtime (whaling) and reveling in their access to a scarcity of product that the rest of civilized society has long since noted that they have no need for.

Think of it as akin to chipmunk harvesting. Granted, chipmunks are hard to hit and their meat would be a rarity on the market, but bloody hell! Would anyone's life be the worse off if they had no chipmunk meat in their diet?

I am with the 'sea-hippies' on this one.