OUTRAGE OVER WHALING ... #2 <cont>

Sigh.

Let's stick to the whaling issue, Tigershark.

Sigh.

Stalemate, by the sound of it.
We are receiving reports that 5 whales have already been killed since GreenPeace & Sea Shepherd left the Southern Ocean.:

Australia 'taking pictures' as whales die


Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith and his Japanese counterpart Masahiko Komura exchange documents during their meeting in Tokyo.
Photo: AP

Miki Perkins
February 1, 2008 - 9:20AM/the AGE

The leader of the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd has demanded the Australian Government do more than "just take pictures" after the Japanese whaling fleet made its first kill yesterday.

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith also voiced his "disappointment" at the news that Japan's whaling fleet killed five whales yesterday, during a meeting with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura, in Tokyo.

Captain Paul Watson said the Sea Shepherd ship Steve Irwin entered the Australian 200-mile economic exclusion zone at 3am today and will arrive in Melbourne tomorrow afternoon at 2pm to refuel.

The Japanese-registered Fukuyoshi Maru No. 68 had tailed the Steve Irwin for more than two weeks but fell back when the anti-whaling vessel entered Australian waters.

"We're disappointed that whales have been killed but it shows that we've been effective because they haven't killed any for three weeks," Captain Watson said.

"I think that we've found the key to stopping them and that's to just keep chasing them. When they're running they can't kill any whales.

"What bothers me is that the (Australian Customs vessel) Oceanic Viking is just taking pictures when this is a violation of oceanic law and Australian law. I don't understand why they're not arresting them."

The Steve Irwin will refuel, repair an engine and take on new crew before returning to the Southern Ocean in about a week.

Australian citizen Benjamin Potts, who boarded the harpoon vessel Yushin Maru No. 2 and was taken into custody by the whalers for two days, will return to Antarctic waters with the Steve Irwin.

Greenpeace anti-whaling ship the Esperanza will not return to the Southern Ocean this year, spokeswoman Carolin Wenzel said.

"We'd seriously considered it but you can't rely on charitable organisations to try and single-handedly stop the whalers from whaling," Ms Wenzel said.

She said Greenpeace would continue to lobby against whaling through a campaign in Japan and two online letters, one of which had garnered 40,000 signatures.

She said the group would maintain pressure on Japan not to build another whaling factory ship to replace the ageing Nisshin Maru.
"If they build a new factory ship they'll keep whaling for 40 years," she said.

Australian Customs has refused to confirm or deny whether any whales have been killed, or allow the media to speak to crew aboard the Oceanic Viking.

Foreign Minister 'disappointed' by whale kill

Mr Smith, who flew into Japan yesterday for a two-day visit, met with Mr Komura last night.

The pair "agreed to disagree" on the controversial issue of whaling, a spokesman said.

"Mr Smith expressed disappointment that whaling had resumed in the Southern Ocean and conveyed the Australian Government's strongly held view that Japan's whaling program ... should cease."

Mr Smith urged Japan to halt whaling near Antarctica and said he hopes the two countries can discuss the issue further, citing their strong bilateral ties, a Japanese official said.

Mr Smith, who arrived yesterday in Tokyo after visiting the United States, told his Japanese counterpart Masahiko Komura that Australians see no need for research on whales, according to an official from the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity, citing protocol.

The official said Mr Smith maintained that the two countries, which enjoy strong ties, should be able to continue discussions on the issue.

Mr Komura defended the whaling program as scientific, and said the issue should not hamper bilateral relations, according to the official.

The meeting took place just hours after news emerged that Japan's whaling fleet had killed five of the giant mammals, after low fuel forced Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd's vessels to halt their chase and disruptive protest actions.

"The meeting was a useful and constructive first meeting between the two foreign ministers," the spokesman for Mr Smith said.

"During the meeting, Mr Smith raised the issue of the Japanese whaling program.

"Mr Smith expressed disappointment that whaling had resumed in the Southern Ocean, and conveyed the Australian Government's strongly held view that Japan's whaling program ... should cease."

The spokesman said Mr Smith told his counterpart that Australia would continue to pursue its opposition to whaling, and "this reflected the very strong feeling of the Australian people".

He said the talks also covered global economic and security issues, and "the positive tone of the meeting reflected the strength of the longstanding friendship of Australia and Japan".

In comments to reporters ahead of the meeting, Mr Komura said the whaling issue was bound to come up.

"When we see each other we will inevitably have to talk about it," Mr Komura said. "Minister Smith may bring up the whaling issue, or I may bring up the harassment issue."

Japan, which says whaling is part of its culture, kills some 1000 whales a year despite passionate opposition from Western countries led by Australia and vociferous opposition from animal groups.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/smiths-whaling-plea/2008/02/01/1201800972215.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1

Just heard a report on Stephen Smith's Japan visit on ABC (national broadcaster) radio. I was interested in the reporter's comment that the whaling issue has been receiving (belated, apparently) coverage in the Japanese media. Apparently much of the emphasis has been on Japan's whaling "heritage" & also "terrorism" issues (the Sea Shepherd incident, I presume). Some concern has been expressed about possible terrorism at some forthcoming (sporting) games to be held in Japan in the near future, according to the report.
This (ABC report) interested me for a number of reasons: there appeared to have been little reference to "scientific research" as a motive for continued whaling (the justification Australians constantly receive from the Japanese government) & that "terrorism" appeared to be such an important concern.Terrorist threats at the forthcoming Japanese games? Huh? Where is that coming from?
But the main thing that struck me was that it appeared that whaling was far less of an issue to the Japanese people that it is here in Australia. (The Sea Shepherd "hostage" episode also recently made the Japanese news.) We in Oz get blow-by-blow reports in our media, there are endless numbers of blogs, opportunities to comment ... you couldn't miss the issue if you tried! So (I'm thinking) maybe GreenPeace is onto something with it's media campaign within Japan? It's looking increasingly like diplomatic appeals to the whaling interests & the Japanese government (one & the same, it seems) are likely to continue to fall on deaf ears. Maybe the way to influence the attitude toward whaling is to take the pro-conservation/anti-whaling issues directly to the Japanese public?

.... which is not to say that I don't fully appreciate Sea Shepherd's contribution to the fight. I do! What Sea Shepherd achieved was to force the hand of Australia's new (Labor) government. Prior to the "hostage" situation, Labor had made all sorts of commitments about the protection of whales in the Southern Ocean. Then, well into Japan's whaling season, where was the surveillance ship which was promised? (It was supposed to be gathering evidence for a future legal case against the whalers.) It hadn't left home port! Soon after, the ship left for the Southern Ocean & (I sincerely hope!) started on the work that had been promised.
Further, Sea Shepherd's tactics forced the new Labor government to define where it actually stood on the whaling issue & act on it. Those of us here who support whale conservation are grateful for the outcome!

... But this is a David & Goliath situation. Australia & New Zealand are small fry compared to Japan! Being a realist (sigh) I understand that there's only so far that both our governments can go on this issue. We badly need some strong support from bigger (& more powerful) fish than us!

Japanese PM calls for calm on whaling
February 1, 2008/SMH

Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda today urged calm in a bitter dispute with Australia over whaling, saying he hoped the row would not hurt relations between the two countries.

Mr Fukuda discussed the whaling row during a meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, who is in Japan as part of his first foreign trip since Labor took office.

"The whaling issue is a matter of each country's circumstances," Mr Fukuda told reporters after the meeting in Tokyo.

"It should not negatively influence diplomatic relations," he said. "It's important to address the whaling issue in a calm manner."

Japan aims to slaughter about 1000 whales this year in Antarctic waters despite strong opposition from Western countries led by Australia and environmental groups which revere the giant mammals. ...<cont>

http://www.smh.com.au/news/whale-watch/japanese-pm-calls-for-calm-on-whaling/2008/02/01/1201801025909.html

Smith should use his Tokyo visit wisely: Greenpeace
February 1, 2008/SMH

Greenpeace wants Foreign Minister Stephen Smith to use his Tokyo visit to extract a guarantee from Japan that it won't build a new factory whaling ship.

Five whales were killed in the Southern Ocean as Mr Smith met his Japanese counterpart, Masahiko Komura, yesterday.

"Minister Smith needs to push for an iron-clad guarantee from the Japanese government that a new factory whaling ship will not be built," Greenpeace Australia-Pacific whales campaigner Rob Nicoll said today.

"If such a ship is built, it will commit Japan to whaling in the Southern Ocean for another 40 years, which is clearly unacceptable."

Japanese taxpayers must be wondering why they were funding whaling on "fake" research grounds, Mr Nicoll said.

"For 15 days, the Greenpeace ship Esperanza chased the whaling fleet's factory ship, the Nisshin Maru, over a distance of 4300 nautical miles.

"Without the factory ship, the remaining hunter vessels will be unable to operate - bringing the entire whaling program to a halt." .....

http://www.smh.com.au/news/whale-watch/smith-should-use-his-tokyo-visit-wisely-greenpeace/2008/02/01/1201801026109.html

... & the saga continues ... Never a dull moment! :

Police 'consider' whale row charge


Captain Paul Watson and the Steve Irwin back in Melbourne for fuel and repairs before heading back into the Southern Ocean to find the Japanese Whaling fleet.
Photo: Craig Abraham

Justin Norrie, Tokyo
February 2, 2008/the AGE

AUSTRALIA'S Foreign Minister Stephen Smith has told Tokyo that federal police are "considering" prosecuting members of the militant anti-whaling Sea Shepherd Conservation Society when its vessel docks in Melbourne today.

Mr Smith discussed the possibility in a meeting with Japan's Foreign Minister, Masahiko Komura, who has repeatedly urged Australia to charge crew from the ship, the Steve Irwin, who boarded a Japanese whaling vessel in the Southern Ocean last month."Whatever consequences flow from whatever people did on the high seas, the cards will fall where they may," Mr Smith said. "In the first instance it's a matter for the Australian Federal Police to evaluate that, and that evaluation is ongoing," he said.

"(They) are evaluating whether anything untoward, unlawful or illegal occurred in the recent incident."

The Steve Irwin will dock about 2pm today to refuel, undergo engine repairs and to get a fresh crew.
.......

The visit by Australia's Foreign Minister coincided with a symposium in Tokyo attended by anti and pro-whaling nations to discuss the future of the deadlocked International Whaling Commission.

Symposium chairman Judge Tuiloma Neroni Slade, former presiding judge of the International Criminal Court, told media afterwards that the best outcome would, in his view, "one: reflect or recognise the consensus of legitimate claims by coastal whaling communities in Japan; second: suspend so-called research whaling and respect the integrity of the sanctuaries in the Southern Ocean; and three: define a finite number of whales that can be taken".

But Joji Morishita of Japan's Fisheries Agency, who also attended the symposium, said this was "not a consensus" view among those who attended.

Meanwhile, Sea Shepherd activists arriving in Melbourne today are committed to returning to chase the Japanese whaling fleet in the Antarctic again this season, their leader, Paul Watson, said last night.

He said the group was certain it would be able to refuel, repair an engine on the Steve Irwin, and head south again in 10 days with fresh crew and provisions.

Captain Watson said this was going to be "a never-ending trip to the dentist" for Japan.

"We intend to remain a constant, nagging, festering pain to their intentions to continue to illegally kill whales."

He said Australian Federal Police had told him they wanted to interview crew members on Sunday, and Sea Shepherd would co-operate.

"(The AFP) said they are not pursuing any charges right now," Captain Watson said.

A federal police spokeswoman said it was conducting preliminary inquiries into the incident at this stage.

Since the boarding, a Japanese trawler has shadowed the Steve Irwin, keeping a check on its position while the whaling fleet returned to its hunt.

Captain Watson said the trawler turned away yesterday at Australia's 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/police-consider-whale-row-charge/2008/02/01/1201801037854.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1

Mothing at all to do with Japan (just Australia), but very worrying ...:

Oil survey explosions a threat to sick whales


Whale at Portland .
Photo: Bob Mcpherson

Andrew Darby
February 2, 2008/SMH

THE EFFECT of seismic exploration on Australia's best-known blue whale feeding ground is set to intensify, just as signs emerge that the endangered ocean giants are increasingly sick.

Surveys with exploding airguns are planned for 5900 square kilometres of waters that blue whales use at the same time, off Victoria and South Australia.

Whales avoid seismic noise and concern is growing that these blue whales will miss out on prime feeding opportunities. Some already show signs of being emaciated and parasite-ridden, scientists studying them say.

A Melbourne company, Exoil, is seeking approval for the seismic work following the Rudd Government's decision before Christmas to permit a much smaller 320 square-kilometre survey by Woodside in the same waters.

In seismic surveys, echoes of the explosions bounce off the seafloor and are caught by hydrophones near the surface, giving vital information on subsea geology in an area being examined for oil and gas deposits.

Exoil says the timing of its seismic work depends on the availability of a specialised ship in these waters. This claim is questioned by scientists. And with the Government taking a global profile on whale protection, environmentalists and the Federal Opposition are challenging the Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, over the permit.

The largest animals on earth, blues are yet to recover from their near annihilation by 20th-century commercial whaling. Acoustic pollution from sounds such as seismic testing is identified as a threat to them by the Environment Department.

Small numbers of blues regularly head for waters between Cape Otway and Kangaroo Island to feed on shrimp-like krill between November and April.

Sightings by scientists in the Blue Whale Study Group show the giants use Exoil's proposed survey areas - 3100 square-kilometres south of Warnambool, and 2800 square-kilometres south of Robe, South Australia - at the time when the seismic is planned, from late this month to April.

A study group member, Peter Gill, said some blues seen in the area recently were particularly thin, with shoulder blades and ribs visible. Others were covered with parasites, such as leeches, that burrowed into their skin.

Exoil's chairman, James Willis, said the company would do all it could to mitigate the worst effects of the seismic, including starting the explosions softly, and watching for nearby whales.

The company's application claims that with both blues and southern right whales visiting the area, "there is unfortunately no period when it can be assured that neither of these species will be present".

However, a cetacean specialist, Mike Bossley, said the numbers of blues peaked in these waters in late summer and autumn. "My understanding is that this is the worst, rather than the best time, to survey," said Dr Bossley, of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare said following the Woodside decision, approval of the survey could send a bad signal internationally. "If Australia is going to be asking Japan to stop whaling, we need to make sure our own house is in order," said the fund's campaign manager, Darren Kindleysides.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/whale-watch/oil-survey-explosions-a-threat-to-sick-whales/2008/02/01/1201801034898.html

The Japanese are too arrogant to listen to other countries.

All the diplomatic bullshit and vain attempts to educate the unteachable Japanese public won't make any difference.

Direct action is what's needed. Do something to one of their ships - better still, more than one of them - and make a big international stink.

I don't agree with you, Tigershark. I do agree that that Japanese government has been arrogant & rigidly inflexible over this issue. But I think the Japanese public are quite another matter.

Why do you think that?

I am not a xenophobe, but there is no denying that the collective Japanese psyche considers itself intrinsically superior to all other races.

I have been there several times and am not saying I despise the Japanese, but denying this national trait of theirs is being PC and is in denial of the facts.

I think it's unreasonable & unfair to label any citizens of any country by defining them as having particular defining national characteristics. I have never been to Japan (though I have spent a fair deal of time in many other Asian countries) but I have known many individual Japanese here in Oz, as part of my work (as a teacher). Trust me, they have not in any way reflected the arrogance & stubbornness of their government, who will say & do anything to protect certain advantages in the whaling debate.

... I mean, it's the same as saying all (US) Americans are right wingers & fully support George Bush's policies, because he is their president. It simply isn't true. Many US citizens loathe the Bush administration & are desperate for change.

I'm not saying they are unreasonable people, individually.

Is Japan a democracy? If so, their government is representative of the people, who must take accountability for their actions. Or boot them out.

...or that all poms are right whingers?

Ah, Tigershark. You could say the same for Australia, under all those miserable years (for many of us) under Howard & co. Trying our very best, it took years and years for change ... Sigh.

Yeah, Howard was awful. Did they have to surgically remove his tongue from GW's buttcrack?

Anyway, good on you for highlighting the plight of the whales.

And good on you for supporting the whales in our region, Tigershark.

It's so bloody, bloody complex, getting some progress on this, I agree. And so frustrating!

I think our efforts have to be toward keeping our own government honest & to fully follow through on the election promises on whaling. That's what I think Sea Shepherd (especially) & GreenPeace have been trying to do. Keep the issue up front & apply pressure. It's a very tough call for the Oz & NZ governments to stand up for whale conservation in the face of such an intransient (& far more powerful than us!) opponent as the Japanese government. So we have to push (when necessary) & applaud progress as it happens. (I wouldn't want to be Stephen Smith in Japan right now!)

http://www.whalewatch.co.nz/

I'm off on a 2 week holiday in the South Island, starting next week.

Might do one of the daytrips in this link.

I play in an annual ex-Telecom technicians annual cricket tournament ( a pissup really), which is in Christchurch this year, so may stop off on my way to Nelson.