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From Daily Grist yesterday - getting some attention!
Whaling and protest ships collide in Antarctic waters

Japanese officials are claiming that a Greenpeace ship intentionally hit a whaling ship in the Southern Ocean on Sunday. But crewmembers of the protest vessel say the whaler rammed their smaller ship, and they've posted video of the incident on the Greenpeace blog. The collision left a big dent in the activist ship's hull, damaged a mast, and scared the bejeezus out of the Greenpeacers, who say they practice only nonviolent protest. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, meanwhile, has taken full and unapologetic credit for intentionally sideswiping a whaling supply ship yesterday. Vessels from the two activist groups have been harassing Japanese whaling ships as they hunt for 850 minke and 10 fin whales in the Southern Ocean this season. Japan claims it's legally hunting the cetaceans for scientific research, but the eco-groups -- as well as some countries that are members of the International Whaling Commission -- counter it's really an illegal commercial hunt for whale meat.

straight to the source: The New Zealand Herald, New Zealand Press Association, 10 Jan 2006

straight to the source: The Australian, Matthew Denholm, 10 Jan 2006

straight to the source: MSNBC.com, MSNBC News Services, 09 Jan 2006

straight to the video: Greenpeace's video of the collision with the whaling ship

Thank you, Andrew.
More information on owners who profit through whaling. Nissui owns 32%, 32% is owned by Maruha. I first quote from Yahoo finance: "Japan's top seafood producer, Maruha gets more than half of its sales from fish and shellfish. The company also provides canned, frozen, and other processed convenience foods. Meats, animal feeds, and fish byproducts for use in health foods, cosmetics, and drugs also fill out its bottom line. Conservation efforts since the late 1970s forced Maruha to trim its fishing fleet, but it now has joint ventures in 15 countries to obtain and process fish. The company became a holding company in 2004."
Maruha wholly owns Westward Seafoods in Seattle Washington at 1111 3rd Avenue, Suite 2200 Seattle WA, USA 98101. Phone 206-382-0640, Fax: 206-625-0089. President Fumio Kawa.

Kyokuyo owns another 32% of Kyodo Senpaku (which is a charter company, having created the organization "Institute for Cetacean Research", which owns the ships, I believe. Kyokuyo's address is in Tokyo at 3-3-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052. Their phone is +81-3-5545-0701, and Fax: +81-3-5545-0751. Kyokuyo appears to largely import seafood to Japan, but seek deeper & tell everyone who would end the slaughter.

Keep up the good work guys. Honestly, i just want to give you encouragement and thanks. thanks to your tireless and unselfish efforts, thanks for raising awareness of the plight of the minky whale and for creating such a hype that the world is once again awakened by this discusting abuse of our planets wild life. Dont ever stop. Every whale you save is a triumph, every time you are profiled on tv it is a triumph, every time you piss off those whalers, it is a triumph. One day the whales will be able to live in their given homeland unthreatened by the greed and ignorance of man kind, thanks to your efforts. Thank you Greenpeace. Thank you.

ive been following this case since i read it on yahoo news that japan was against the world on the issue on whaling for "science"

dont get me wrong, but i love the japanese, they gave us anime, sushi and their culture to me is very likable..

EXCEPT for this B*llsh*t

i dunno, i feel that this makes the u.s.' senseless war on terror and the invasion of iraq a little bit more tolerable after seeing this kind of carnage

i am currently working at a call center job here in manila and inspired by you, now im going to find means of joining you guys coz if anybody has any reason to wage war against something or someone, whalers and environment enemies are on top of my list, as should everyone else..

on a lighter note this is the best reality "thing" that ive been into these days, im not really into those but i think you guys should get more media sponsorship or something you guys would seriously kick the helloutta croc hunter or snake wranglers (national geographic shows) for being there

im seriously considering applying to you guys (hellbent really)

i hope i could be there soon or something

you guys rock!

Thanks for doing this guys and gals.
You really are an inspiration.

Stay safe.

Peace

No help from US. No rescue.

Not that we should expect any help for a possible rescue should the Whale Wars esculate and a vessel is sunk.

For the first time in 50 years, the US Coast Guard will not send a deepwater icebreaker to Antarcticia to relieve McMurdo. See: http://www.navytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1450220.php

The designated ship, the USCGC Polar Sea, is in drydock, being rebuilt. Under US law, fisheries code and law enforcement must be undertaken by coast guard, not naval authorities(It is not known what, if any US Naval presence is in Antarctic waters) The National Science Foundation has leased a Russian icebreaker instead. The Coast Guard, known for its dramatic rescues of thousands of New Orleanians after Hurrican Katrina while Washington dithered, will be a no show.

hope you guys are okay.

CBC National News in Canada carried the whaling story tonight - great coverage and lots of footage, especially of Japanese gunner firing harpoons at whales, whales being hauled out of water, bloody whales being cut up on deck of factory ship. Interview with Shane, who described the ramming of Arctic Sunrise. Japanese Ambassador interviewed and said scientific whaling was legal, and claimed Arctic Sunrise collided with their boat - held up a photo as evidence - this was laughable. Scientist from Vancouver stated that only Japanese scientists felt the need for lethal research - no one else in scientific community thinks it is necessary. Footage of GP zodiacs being hosed alongside factory ship. Final comment related to IWC and fact that if Japan continues to influence votes, whales will not be safe, commercial whaling will be a reality, and all GP's efforts to interrupt the whaling fleet will be in vain.
Way to go gang - if Canadian news will air your story, then anything is possible!!!

Keep up the Great Work people! I was shocked and concerned about the ramming of the Arctic Sunrise. Had a visit aboard when docked in Portland, OR USA. Glad to hear she still afloat and engaging the the whalers. Stay strong, there's many people who are following you. Wish I was there.