Posted on 12/26/2005 9:47:38 PM PST by Dundee
Whalers slam Greenpeace pursuit
JAPANESE whalers have called on Greenpeace to stop pursuing its fleet in the Southern Ocean, accusing the environmental organisation of engaging in piracy.
In an open letter to Greenpeace, Institute of Cetacean Research director-general Hiroshi Hatanaka said the environmentalists were behaving dangerously in pursuing whaling ships.
"Greenpeace's intention to highlight environmental degradation of the seas with the aim of protecting the marine environment is in itself laudable," Dr Hatanaka said in the letter.
"However, your organisation's actual behaviour is nothing but an opinionated display of self-righteousness.
"I strongly request Greenpeace stops pursuing our research vessels immediately and refrains from coming any closer in future."
Two Greenpeace vessels, the Esperanza and the Arctic Sunrise, have spent the past week deep in the Southern Ocean engaged in a cat and mouse game with a fleet of six whaling ships.
Japan plans to slaughter 935 minke whales and 10 fin whales in Antarctic waters this summer as part of its whale research program.
Greenpeace expedition leader Shane Rattenbury has claimed success in preventing some whales being taken, putting inflatable rafts in between harpooners and the whales.
But on at least one occasion, a Greenpeace ship and a whaling ship have been engaged in a minor collision.
Dr Hatanaka said that since December 21, in spite of repeated warnings and requests to move away, Greenpeace had continued to approach the mother ship Nisshin Maru and other fleet vessels.
"Your organisation continues to put in danger the lives of your crews by trying to board our vessels," he said. "In short, these actions amount to piracy."
Greenpeace chief executive Steve Shallhorn yesterday defended the tactics, saying he would welcome any inquiry into the conduct of Greenpeace skippers and ships at sea.
Dr Hatanaka said data on Japanese Greenpeace activists engaged in the obstruction of the whaling would be submitted to authorities as evidence for indictment and criminal prosecution.
"Furthermore, any escalation of Greenpeace's violent activities would correspond to piracy as defined by Article 101 of the United Nations Law of the Sea," he said.
He also criticised the crew of Sea Shepherd boat Farley Mowat, which he said had deployed a mooring line with the intent of entangling the Nisshin Maru's propeller.
Farley Mowatcaptain Paul Watson said on Sunday the incident occurred when his ship tried to come alongside the Nisshin Maru.
He said the whaler headed directly at the Farley Mowat and he deployed the mooring line to deter it.
Mr Watson said the Nisshin Maru then changed direction to avoid a collision.
Hmm, you sound a bit condescending (and angry). Eating sushi doesn’t make you some kind of intellectual. Otherwise, I’d be brilliant!! I’ve eaten sushi all over the world and have never noticed “red” toro on the menu. Toro (yummy), yes, not sure where the red comes in. I did a quick internet search and didn’t find anything. I’m sure it exists but I’m not sure how common it is. I think torigai is a shell fish, don't recall seeing it on a menu. Unagi is a pretty common offering at sushi restaurants, not sure why you threw that one in, perhaps you thought it sounded exotic and scary! It’s quite yummy with a slab of avocado. It’s a shame you don’t find salmon, tuna, red snapper and the many other delicacies still available in sushi restaurants worth your effort, that just means more for me!!!!! I guess I’m one of the ones eating all the fish since I prefer the sashimi, I don’t want to waste time with the rice:).
I wonder if this is the same Hiroshi Hatanaka that I knew back in the 60's. He was a Japanese national, a scientist, studying at Harvard and he briefly dated my apartment mate. His manner was very abrupt and pompous, and pretty soon we all decided he was not someone we wanted to spend time with. One incident: we were seated at a table and suddenly Hiroshi brought his knees up against the bottom of the table so forcefully that the table made a sharp cracking sound. It turned out that my small dog had brushed against his leg, and Hiroshi was apparently frightened. Instead of being embarrassed, he laughed nastily and said that in his laboratory he would cut a little dog like that into pieces.
We all decided then that he was a nutcase -- unfortunately his career has probably put him in the position of hurting and killing plenty of animals.
I wouldn't be too happy with their little adventure. That event was what solidified mainstream NZ behind the nuclear ships ban as a result of what it saw as arrogance of the nuclear powers. Their little episode has played havoc with Australian and American defence plans for some years althopugh NZ is probably the largest loser (Although it has the wonderful situation of having Australia between them and their likeliest foes).
I'm not a fan of Greenpeace, but I'm not a fan of Japanese fishing practices either. They're fishing at a far higher rate than could ever be considered sustainable.
Your crack on California Rolls was a bit bizarre though, given that you followed with an Unagi recommendation. Most hard-core sushi snobs laugh at Unagi (cooked, sweet sauce, etc.).
I get Unagi every time I eat sushi nevertheless. It is my favorite. I like it in the form of an Una Cheese Roll (with cream cheese), with a Tuna Tataki Salad. Perfect lunch.
Other than my Una Cheese Roll, I like simple Tamago (just egg) and also Ikura (Salmon Roe), which I like popping.
Beyond these 3 or 4 items, I order Sashimi. I let the chef at my favorite place, who knows me well, surprise me each day with something new. Luckily, they also deliver.
"Tamago"
Mmmmm Tamago the ultimate desert.
You decry someone else's bigoted statement, and then you make one of your own. Very classy.
Well when someone criticises me because of my knowledge of 'Jap Food' I figure they opened the door.
I like a variety of food Greek (roast lamb), Italian (Pepperinchino), Cantonese, Tai etc.
Throwing a steak on a BBQ doen't require a lot of talent.
Chili on the other hand is another matter.
"Whales should be armed"
They are, with the foulest breath in the world, every one of the useless bags of blubber should be taken out of the ocean,
I hope the japanese sink the Greenpeace ships.
May all the baby whales think of you within pink clouds of love.
Now do something useful like slam your head in the refrigerator door while trying to find a pocket pizza.
We need more whales not less. And whales deserve better than being turned into Japanese cat food.
BTW close the screen door on your double wide before the mosqitoes take you out and turn off the TV before you go to bed.
Boarding a ship at sea?
A few shot guns should do the trick, I would think.
Greenpeace would not be so gung-ho if a few of their nut cases were blasted off the rails.
NZ is kinda' like Canada then. They can stomp about and pout all they want because big brother will keep the bullies away.
The fight between Greenpeace and the Japanese Whalers is a bit like the fight between Hitler and Stalin; you don't know which evil b*stard to cheer for.
With a bit of luck they will sink each other.
If Toro is not a deep and bright red it is either old or rotten? :)
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