Greenpeace Stops Japanese Whalers

4 years ago Environment

Greenpeace activists are saying that they have managed to chase the Japanese whaling fleet from its hunting grounds in the Southern Sea.

greenpeaceThe Greenpeace ship Esperanza

The Greenpeace ship Esperanza claims that the whalers fled the area after a chase worthy of an adventure novel. The Esperanza and the whaling ship had a dramatic chase through hundreds of miles worth of thick fog before forcing the catcher ships, which harpoon the whales, from the factory ship Nisshin Maru. The catcher ships will be unable to hunt so long as they are separated from the factory processing ship.

Greenpeace Japan campaigner Sakyo Noda said: "We came here to stop the fleet from whaling and we have done that. Now they are out of the hunting grounds they should stay out."

The fleet will most likely refuel from a nearby tanker before returning to the hunting area. The Japanese government took a predictable view of the situation, warning the protesters against further interference with their Antarctic whale hunt.

Keiichi Nakajima, the president of the Japanese Whaling Association, said: "Past activities of Greenpeace have been responsible for vessel collisions that risk the lives and safety of our researchers and crew and are illegal under international maritime law. I urge Greenpeace ... to keep a safe distance."

But Greenpeace, who credited their actions so far with depriving the fleet of two days of whaling, showed no signs of backing down. Greenpeace spokesman and Esperanza resident Dave Walsh said: "If they start whaling again we will launch inflatables and put ourselves between the harpoons and the whales. We are not here to attack whalers; we are here to defend whales."

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Written by: Chris

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Comments

Old Comments

timekeeping software says

Jun 28th, 2009 at 12am
They were forced to do that to compete with all the other fanatics.

Vincent says

May 30th, 2009 at 12am
I think if I were captain of a whaling vessel and was boarded by the sea shepherd group I would do everything in my power to defend my ship and crew. Illegal boarding is an indicator of piracy and should be met with whatever force is necessary to stop it immediately. Yes, that may mean lethal force. Especially after hearing the sea shepherd leader/captain say he would love nothing more than to send my ship to the bottom. Threaten the lives of my crew? I think not. I think it very funny that the Animal Planet channel has a disclaimer for Whale Wars that the comments and commentary in the show aren't necessarily the views of Animal Planet. I've never seen a disclaimer for any other show on that channel; ever. Doesn't sound very kosher to me.

FLU-BIRD says

Apr 20th, 2009 at 12am
Greenpeace are nothing but a bunch of pirates and crinimals glorified by a bunch of stupid liberal jerk faced idiots

yeyeyeye says

May 5th, 2008 at 12am
bill vincent is rite i guess except the last part about the vegan sht. Greenpeace has good intentions but are doing the job stupidly, i mean chasing them around all day aint gona make them stop long term.

woah says

Jan 15th, 2008 at 12am
I can't believe there are people on here actually defending whaling practices and stuff... what right does any human have to hunt a whale? Seriously... this is the 21st century who can still defend "might makes right"? It's messed up. Leave the whales alone! Heartless bastards. What if some psycho wanted to kill you because he wanted your blubber? No blood for blubber!

Aldrea says

Jan 15th, 2008 at 12am
Greenpeace FTW. Those dumb hippies are out there making much more of a difference than your lazy arses. When is the last time you tried to get a law passed, or even got far enough from your keyboard (since you love hearing yourself type) to vote on something? If I had even an extra hundred bucks to spare I'd be out there with them on their little inflatables.

Ben Schiendelman says

Jan 15th, 2008 at 12am
Hear, hear! Way to go Greenpeace. Saving some of the thousand whales Japan wants to kill this year is a noble goal.

Mike says

Jan 15th, 2008 at 12am
Greenpeace FTW. Those dumb hippies are out there making much more of a difference than your lazy arses. When is the last time you tried to get a law passed, or even got far enough from your keyboard (since you love hearing yourself type) to vote on something? If I had even an extra hundred bucks to spare I’d be out there with them on their little inflatables.
HAHAHA! I love how you're following the stereotypical moronic defense. Attack the other person instead of proving your own point. I work for my University's Student government and I vote in every major election I can. You don't know me so don't try and berate me because you can't defend your point properly. Anyone with half a brainstem, that obviously excludes you, sees the fallacy of your argument, you're doing nothing but mudslinging. So bravo. Truly bravo, your political bravado is astounding!

John says

Jan 15th, 2008 at 12am
Wonderful, you save the whales and most likely deprive workers of the money needed to support themselves and their families. I hope you enjoy eating your dinner knowing you just deprived a family of theirs.

sam says

Jan 15th, 2008 at 12am
Wonderful, you save the whales and most likely deprive workers of the money needed to support themselves and their families. I hope you enjoy eating your dinner knowing you just deprived a family of theirs.
what do you tink this is 1849? what does you old man do for a living? hunt buffalo with his bare hands?