"Whale Wars" boat sunk by Japanese whalers

Jstas · January 2010

The story:

From CNN.com:

Whale activists say their catamaran was sunk by Japanese vessel

January 6, 2010 10:30 a.m. EST

TOKYO, Japan (CNN) -- Anti-whaling activists are accusing a Japanese boat of destroying their vessel Wednesday by ramming into it during a skirmish in the Southern Ocean.

But Japanese authorities deny their boat intentionally rammed the activists' catamaran and said instead the incident happened accidentally when the activists were harassing their whaling fleet.

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society says its boat was ripped apart by the Japanese vessel during the incident.

"In an unprovoked attack captured on film, the Japanese security ship Shonan Maru No. 2 deliberately rammed and caused catastrophic damage to the Sea Shepherd catamaran Ady Gil," said a statement from Sea Shepherd.

The statement said six crew crew members, five from New Zealand and one from the Netherlands, were rescued by the crew of the Sea Shepherd ship Bob Barker. None of the Ady Gil crew were injured, the statement said.

The statement quoted the captain of the Bob Barker as saying the Shonan Maru No. 2 deliberately rammed the Ady Gil, ripping off eight feet of the bow of the vessel.

"The Japanese whalers have now escalated this conflict very violently," said Captain Paul Watson. "If they think that our remaining two ships will retreat from the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary in the face of their extremism, they will be mistaken. We now have a real whale war on our hands now, and we have no intention of retreating."

A Japanese Fisheries Agency statement blamed the conservation group for the incident.

"This is a continuation of the harassment of the Japanese research whaling program by Sea Shepherd and is extremely dangerous to threaten vessels and its crew. This is absolutely unforgivable," the statement said.

The incident continues an ongoing feud between conservation agencies and Japanese whaling fleets.

The Southern Ocean is a term used to describe parts of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans that surround Antarctica.

CNN's Yoko Wakatsuki and Kyung Lah contributed to this report.

It's funny and tragic at the same time.

SolidSqual · January 2010

SolidSqual · January 2010

I bet those hippies are the same **** who believe the United States needlessly sticks its nose in other countries' affairs. In fact, I bet their War on Whaling has compelled other Japanese people to grow sea legs and kill more whales.:rolleyes:

hearingimpared · January 2010

I wonder why the anti-whalers aren't considered pirates?

Fireman32 · January 2010

I watched that show once. 60 minutes of my life that I will never get back

Demiurge · January 2010

Jstas wrote: »

This is the boat that was sunk:

So...is this a different group of ecoterrorists or is this the same group from the show Whale Wars? I have never seen that boat before on the show, but I only ever watched it once as I was surprised such a group was given it's own TV show. I figured it was their big sea vessel that sunk....would have been so much better.

Those people are out of their minds mixing up noxious liquids in gallon jugs and hurling them at the fishing vessels. It'd be funny if they weren't putting other people's lives in danger to push their insanity. Imagine if they put that much effort towards something worthwhile.

Jstas · January 2010

Demiurge wrote: »

So...is this a different group of ecoterrorists or is this the same group from the show Whale Wars? I have never seen that boat before on the show, but I only ever watched it once as I was surprised such a group was given it's own TV show. I figured it was their big sea vessel that sunk....would have been so much better.

Those people are out of their minds mixing up noxious liquids in gallon jugs and hurling them at the fishing vessels. It'd be funny if they weren't putting other people's lives in danger to push their insanity. Imagine if they put that much effort towards something worthwhile.

This is what I found:

From Wikipedia:

...Earthrace, later renamed Ady Gil, was a 78-foot (24 m), alternative fuel powered, wave-piercing trimaran, which was originally created as part of a project to break the world record for circumnavigating the globe in a powerboat. The vessel was only powered by renewable fuels.[1][2]

In early 2010, it was involved in a collision with a Japanese whaling vessel while engaging in an anti-whaling campaign with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.[3][4]...

...It was announced that the Earthrace would accompany Sea Shepherd in in its 2009-2010 operations against Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. Pete Bethune, the operator, said that an agreement was reached with Sea Shepherd for the boat to adopt a support role.[14] On 17 October 2009, the Earthrace was presented to the media with a new black paint job, and it was re-named Ady Gil, after the name of a major sponsor. The Sea Shepherd's owner and founder, Captain Paul Watson, said it would not be used as a confrontational vessel and would be tasked, amongst other things, with physically blocking harpooning.[15]...

...The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is a non-profit marine conservation organization based in Friday Harbor, Washington in the United States that utilizes direct action tactics. The society was founded in 1977 by Paul Watson, an early member of Greenpeace, after a dispute with that organization over their lack of intervention.[1]...

...It operates vessels it calls Neptune's Navy, but after the seizure of the RV Farley Mowat by the Canadian government, operated the MV Steve Irwin, the Bob Barker and smaller Ady Gil...

...Operations have included scuttling and disabling whaling vessels at harbour, intervening in Canadian seal hunts, ramming other vessels, throwing glass bottles of foul smelling butyric acid on the decks of vessels at sea, boarding of a whaling vessel while at sea, and seizure and destruction of drift nets at sea. In 2008, Animal Planet began filming the weekly series Whale Wars based on the group's encounters with the Japanese whaling fleet in the Southern Ocean....

So yeah, apparently it is the same group on "Whale Wars".

pmckeealaska · January 2010

I'm a wildlife biologist by trainng and profession and a hunter so I am no animal rights nut by any means. While I dont condone some of the methods this group uses to try and stop whaling, I am 100% in support of their goal. There has been enough research done on whale species for us to know that they are highly intelligent creatures who are self aware with an exceedingly complex language and social structure. I think its disguisting that in the 21st centruy there are still countries out there killing these animals, especially when its done under the guise of "research" which everyone know is a total front. I think its disgusting, but is yet another example of what can be justified by people when they say "its part of our culture". What a load of horse dump.....

dkg999 · January 2010

^^^^ I agree that in this day we probably don't need to be hunting whales, although the cultural argument from a native people steeped in tradition tends to be a strong one. I also think there are better ways to to resolve this than a bunch of animal-rights vigilantes out on the high-seas, who I don't differentiate too much from a Samoli pirate.

Of course I always wonder why anyone thinks they can tell another country what they can and cannot do? If you really can't stand what they are doing, blow them up. Discussion is for wimps!

zombie boy 2000 · January 2010

Discussion is for wimps. That's why everything should be settled with a Dance-Off. Though I have to admit, neither hippies or the Japanese have much rhythm... at least in my experience.

amulford · January 2010

I agree. The whales have been persecuted and hunted to almost extinction. The ONLY whale hunting I condone is the "traditional" whale hunting done in polar regions, and only because it is truly a food source for the Eskimo, Inuit, and Icelanders (et al), Gives the animals a fair shot at escape, and fiercely regulated by the government. Combined with the pilot whales and narwhals (as these are the most commonly hunted, because they are managable with those methods), relatively quick propagation, it is sustainable by the current methods strictly enforced by the associated governments.

The whale "research" done by the Japanese is on very large, slow propagating species and just another example blatant disregard for the rights of other animals to live and thrive. There's a history of excess and consequential disregard involved here that anyone could see... So, no pity for the whalers.

There are many other food sources available to them, yet whale is a delicacy and so hunted so some rich ****, because the common folk aren't getting it, can have it.

While I don't completely condone the individual actions of the activists', per say, I do completely agree with the ethic. these people don't need to eat these animals, and if they do, let's even out the playing field a little...

Jstas · January 2010

zombie boy 2000 wrote: »

Discussion is for wimps. That's why everything should be settled with a Dance-Off. Though I have to admit, neither hippies or the Japanese have much rhythm... at least in my experience.

SolidSqual · January 2010

I'm for the whales, but I hate hippies. Those idiots are nothing but a bunch of publicity seeking enviro terrorists. If the Imperial Japanese Navy was still around, these guys would have been dealt with appropriately . . . probably something like the Somali pirates who held the Maersk captain hostage.

concealer404 · January 2010

zombie boy 2000 wrote: »

Discussion is for wimps. That's why everything should be settled with a Dance-Off. Though I have to admit, neither hippies or the Japanese have much rhythm... at least in my experience.

Served! Served! Served! Served! Served!

Demiurge · January 2010

Jstas wrote: »

So yeah, apparently it is the same group on "Whale Wars".

Yeah, I looked up that guy:

Same one from the show.

shack · January 2010

pmckeealaska wrote:

I'm a wildlife biologist by trainng and profession and a hunter so I am no animal rights nut by any means. While I dont condone some of the methods this group uses to try and stop whaling, I am 100% in support of their goal. There has been enough research done on whale species for us to know that they are highly intelligent creatures who are self aware with an exceedingly complex language and social structure. I think its disguisting that in the 21st centruy there are still countries out there killing these animals, especially when its done under the guise of "research" which everyone know is a total front. I think its disgusting, but is yet another example of what can be justified by people when they say "its part of our culture". What a load of horse dump.....

Very well said...

I also think the Sea Sheperd folks are doing more harm than good with their methods. More "showboating" than any good it does. Yeah...it gets some press...but I think there has to be better ways to spend their time and effort...AND Barker's $5 Million.

As I grow older I'm becoming more of an environmentalist than I ever dreamed I could be. We humans really are doing a lot to **** up this planet for the sake of convieince and ease. We are over using the natural resources without giving nature a chance to replenish. Hell, with little more technology than a large-calibre, single-shot black powder cartridge rifle, hunters almost wiped out the buffalo a century or so ago. Imagine what we could do now. It seems as smart as we are...we don't learn very well.

I doubt I'll live long enough to see a vast number of wild species extinct, execept in zoos and preserves, but that is a real possiblity for my kids. If we are not careful there may come a time in the near future where there is little clean water and air, little wilderness or open spaces....and that would suck.

megasat16 · January 2010

I want to see PETA established in Japan and see how they handle the whaling issues.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_ts1047

I-SIG · January 2010

pmckeealaska wrote: »

I'm a wildlife biologist by trainng and profession and a hunter so I am no animal rights nut by any means. While I dont condone some of the methods this group uses to try and stop whaling, I am 100% in support of their goal. There has been enough research done on whale species for us to know that they are highly intelligent creatures who are self aware with an exceedingly complex language and social structure. I think its disguisting that in the 21st centruy there are still countries out there killing these animals, especially when its done under the guise of "research" which everyone know is a total front. I think its disgusting, but is yet another example of what can be justified by people when they say "its part of our culture". What a load of horse dump.....

What a great plan!!! Let's butt our nose into everyone else's business and tell them how to live their lives! :rolleyes:

There ain't a lick of difference between the whale war asswipes and groups that attack researchers or spike logs or send jihadists in with suicide bombs or fly hijacked airliners into skyscrapers.

Wes

hearingimpared · January 2010

I-SIG wrote: »

What a great plan!!! Let's butt our nose into everyone else's business and tell them how to live their lives! :rolleyes:

There ain't a lick of difference between the whale war asswipes and groups that attack researchers or spike logs or send jihadists in with suicide bombs or fly hijacked airliners into skyscrapers.

Wes

I haven't said this in a while but RIGHT ON BROTHER!

shack · January 2010

I-SIG wrote:

What a great plan!!! Let's butt our nose into everyone else's business and tell them how to live their lives! :rolleyes:

Yes! No single group or nation has the right to destroy a species...just because they don't want anyone "telling them what to do". That includes the USA. There is a limit to what we humans should be allowed to do when it effects everyone else.

The Sea Shepherds are wrong...but so are the whalers.

dkg999 · January 2010

So what I am reading into all this is if we want to save the whales we have to blow up Japan. We started on that project once.

Git-r-done!

shawn474 · January 2010

Demiurge wrote: »

Yeah, I looked up that guy:

Same one from the show.

I watch the show and consider myself somewhat of a conversationist. I respect all species and try to do my part to limit my "carbon footprint". This guy is a joke and is as radical as the whalers. He is a manipulating SOB that has an egop the size of his ship. He got kicked out of Greenpeace for being too extreme :eek:. Figure that out.

And it's actually assinine what they do to detour the whalers. They throw the "butter bombs" (harmless - they are literally jugs of spoiled butter or something like it) on the decks that spoils the meat and smells so bad that the decks have to be cleared. Spoiling the meat essentially causes them to whale more to get their quota!

That said, it is heartbreaking what is happening to the whales. There is no research going on. This is a profit industry for the whalers - plain and simple.

All that said, I wonder (but understand) why people lock in on the whales and are so quick to blame the Japanese, when there are a vast number of species that are on the verge of extinction due to poaching, overhunting, etc.

shawn474 · January 2010

shack wrote: »

Very well said...

I also think the Sea Sheperd folks are doing more harm than good with their methods. More "showboating" than any good it does. Yeah...it gets some press...but I think there has to be better ways to spend their time and effort...AND Barker's $5 Million.

As I grow older I'm becoming more of an environmentalist than I ever dreamed I could be. We humans really are doing a lot to **** up this planet for the sake of convieince and ease. We are over using the natural resources without giving nature a chance to replenish. Hell, with little more technology than a large-calibre, single-shot black powder cartridge rifle, hunters almost wiped out the buffalo a century or so ago. Imagine what we could do now. It seems as smart as we are...we don't learn very well.

I doubt I'll live long enough to see a vast number of wild species extinct, execept in zoos and preserves, but that is a real possiblity for my kids. If we are not careful there may come a time in the near future where there is little clean water and air, little wilderness or open spaces....and that would suck.

x100000

superjunior · January 2010

shack wrote: »

Yes! No single group or nation has the right to destroy a species...just because they don't want anyone "telling them what to do". That includes the USA. There is a limit to what we humans should be allowed to do when it effects everyone else.

The Sea Shepherds are wrong...but so are the whalers.

+1 - couldn't have said it better

shawn474 · January 2010

hearingimpared wrote: »

I wonder why the anti-whalers aren't considered pirates?

They are Joe. A couple of them were detained on one of the Japanese whaling vessels for a couple of days for boarding the ship. The international agencies of US, JApan and Australia had to intervene and arrange an exchange. The ship flies under another country's flag (I think the Netherlands) because nobody else will back them. After there were some questionable tactics used by the anti-whalers, they were almost decommissioned by that country and the Japanese were granted permission to use the LRAD device during engagements.

Jetmaker737 · January 2010

I-SIG wrote: »

What a great plan!!! Let's butt our nose into everyone else's business and tell them how to live their lives! :rolleyes:

Wes

The difference is the whales don't belong to the Japanese so it's not a matter of telling them how to live their lives. They can live them perfectly fine without getting into boats, traveling thousands of miles from their home, and killing whales under a bogus cover story of "research".

I do think the whale wars folks are douches and the south park episode was hilarious!

BeRad · January 2010

Gotta nuke somethin'.

mrbigbluelight · January 2010

Japanese research whaling program.

Japanese research whaling program.

Japanese research whaling program.

Japanese research whaling program.

Well now.

The entire planet is aware that there is nothing remotely related to "research" associated with these ships, unless by "research" one includes the phrase, "Where's the whales ?".

So these for-profit Japanese ships go to sea, flaunt international treaties, "research" in protected areas, and complain when their for-profit operations are hampered.

Tough.

Shawn, I would agree with your assessment that "He is a manipulating SOB that has an ego the size of his ship."
He is, without a doubt, one obnoxious sockknocker.

But the key for me is that these Japanese whalers are just that: Japanese whalers, plain and simple. Everyone on the planet knows that.
To allow them the ability to award themselves the title of "research vessel" should then open up the opportunity for other groups to declare themselves with self-appointed titles with self-declared rights.
Like the Sea Sheperd, the "Saviors and Defenders of All That is Good and Just" who, as "Saviors and Defenders of All That is Good and Just", now have complete free reign of the sea and can do as they please .

And why not ? It works for the Japanese "research" vessels.

mmadden28 · January 2010

Mazeroth · January 2010

amulford wrote: »

I agree. The whales have been persecuted and hunted to almost extinction. The ONLY whale hunting I condone is the "traditional" whale hunting done in polar regions, and only because it is truly a food source for the Eskimo, Inuit, and Icelanders (et al), Gives the animals a fair shot at escape, and fiercely regulated by the government. Combined with the pilot whales and narwhals (as these are the most commonly hunted, because they are managable with those methods), relatively quick propagation, it is sustainable by the current methods strictly enforced by the associated governments.

The whale "research" done by the Japanese is on very large, slow propagating species and just another example blatant disregard for the rights of other animals to live and thrive. There's a history of excess and consequential disregard involved here that anyone could see... So, no pity for the whalers.

There are many other food sources available to them, yet whale is a delicacy and so hunted so some rich ****, because the common folk aren't getting it, can have it.

While I don't completely condone the individual actions of the activists', per say, I do completely agree with the ethic. these people don't need to eat these animals, and if they do, let's even out the playing field a little...

Hit the nail on the f*cking head. I couldn't have said it any better. I'd love to see these guys go head to head with a whale, bare knuckled. Game Over.

JohnLocke88 · January 2010

mmadden28 wrote: »

<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DNTnwvwdyVM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DNTnwvwdyVM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>

You have to watch the whole thing - couldn't fit this thread better.

one of the best episodes from the latest season.

"Whale Wars" boat sunk by Japanese whalers

Comments