23 December 2005
It's Research. Honest gov'ner
by Lally, onboard the Arctic Sunrise
Copyright Greenpeace/Davison
The second thing that doesn't ring true is the choice of word. I don't mean to be funny but what bit of the word 'research' don't the Japanese government or the whaling company understand? It only took me a moment to look it up in a dictionary:
Research; Diligent and systematic inquiry into a subject in order to
discover or revise facts.
No matter how you look at it, the killing of whales here in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary (maybe they should look up 'sanctuary' as well?) is not for research. It's for cold hard cash.
Being the diligent and systematic creature that I am, I've done a bit of my own research into the Japanese Governments' research and have discovered some really interesting facts. Did you know they claim that whales eat three to six times what the entire world's fisheries catch each year and that whales are endangering global fish stocks?! (No I'm serious, they really say this). And when invited to discuss this claim with the International Whaling Commission (IWC) the entire Japanese Government and all its scientists were a bit busy and couldn't make it. What really doesn't add up is if they are concerned with whales scoffing all the fish why have they killed over 5000 minke whales to 'research' what's in their stomachs when anyone who knows anything about whales already know that minkes mainly eat krill, which are tiny little shrimp-like creatures. From where I'm standing 5000 dead minke stomachs containing a whole lot of krill is pretty conclusive evidence that the minkes are not the guilty party in the 'who ate all the fish?' debate.
I also discovered that the 'scientists' who decide which whale 'research' projects should take place not only write their own proposals they also assess how good they think their proposals are and personally decide if what theyve proposed should go ahead. Then, once the 'research' has been completed the same scientists help review their own findings. This process is totally unheard of in the rest of the scientific world. I guess it's just coincidence that their 'research' ALWAYS results in dead whales and these same whales make them around 50 million US dollars a year from the sale of whale meat.
The whaling companies and the Japanese government also insist their 'research' programs are carried out on behalf of the IWC. But if you ask the IWC theyll say this is a bit of a fib as it hasn't asked for and doesn't need or want their data. The IWC has also repeatedly asked the Government of Japan to stop it and is worried that it's being undermined. Too boomin' right it's being undermined. The whaling companies are exploiting a loophole left over from when the IWC was set up back in 1946 that states whaling for research is ok. Again, what bit of the word 'research' dont they understand?
The fact remains that just because you repeat a lie a thousand times doesn't make it true, even if you do paint it in gigantic letters on the side of your ship.
Please join us and become anOcean Defender and do whatever you can to help stop this crazy and unnecessary killing.
Comments
I do only hope, there is no second whaling fleet...
Posted by: Tommy at December 23, 2005 10:31 AM
Seashepherd is on its way to really stop them
Posted by: Paul at December 23, 2005 11:52 AM
Seashepherd is on its way to really stop them
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Andrew replies:
It's worth saying that a lot of organizations and very committed people are giving their all to this work - not only Greenpeace and the Sea Shepards. The Environmental Investigation Agency and the Humane Society are worth mentioning in particular since they are partners in our strategy to bring the power of the average grocery store shopper into the struggle. To be honest, this strategy is the best chance I have ever seen of really ending commercial whaling.
-- Andrew (onboard the Esperanza)
Posted by: Paul at December 23, 2005 11:52 AM
It's unfortune that related international organiazations hava done so little to protect the whales, I'm not surprised to see so many whales were killed by japaneses with so little pressure.
To be frank , I'm deeply moved by the brave deeds acted by greenpeace
Posted by: Super at December 23, 2005 1:54 PM
Ive being reading all the blogs since your folks left capetown..i got back into work yesterday and read the lastest blog..i consider my self a very strong minded person but yesterday i came to tears after reading the updates 1 because i was sitting helplessly here watching this going on..its not a nice feeln and 2 because of what those ppl are doing..they cant pull the wool over the worlds eyes..its sad what they are doing..i wish ye the best of luck and well done..i no yer all away from home for xmas but wot ur doing makes up for it so much..i wanna wish each and everyone of you a happy xmas and a wonderful new yr..paulie Ireland
Posted by: Paulie Stapleton at December 23, 2005 3:00 PM
If you want to stop the whaling, shoot some of the whales with a radioactive tracer. Then when they show up in the Tokyo fish market, you can show that they are selling radioactive whale meat and no one ever wants to buy whale meat ever again.
Posted by: Tim at December 23, 2005 3:43 PM
Some day, some day, the tremendous heroism of peace warriors for the earth will be the gold standard by which all warriors are judged. Greenpeace is so far ahead of the curve that only ordinary folks can recognize them for what they are: harbingers of the moment when our species as a whole perceives that we are also creatures of this planet, and that our deepest identity is inextricably interwoven with the defense and cherishing of all life. When the people lead, the leaders will follow. I reverence your courage, share the cause, and keep you continually in my prayers. Your bravery puts all killers to shame.
Besides that, you rock! Go Greenpeace! You have no idea how many of us love you and stand behind you. And for the creatures without words, I say: thanks!
Posted by: Arianne Townshend at December 23, 2005 4:08 PM
greenpeace should record the under water sounds of killerwhales (orcs) killing whales, then as they follow the japanese whaling fleets, they could play this recording back under water.
surely no whale would stay close to the fleet...
Posted by: jean-donat at December 23, 2005 5:38 PM
Re research: surely could it mean a re-search for the whales that got away the first time!
Posted by: Donald at December 24, 2005 10:21 AM
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