Spread the word and end whaling now | Home | "Normalisation" isn't good for whales

Relax Dave. This is getting better all the time. You concentrate on finding the other whaling ships and stop them from killing more whales. Heck, you have a bunch of fuel and time to take care of the other whaling pirates all by yourself. On the other hand, Sea Shepherd has been out there for six weeks busy outsmarting a $150k satellite surveillance imaging service that the whaling pirates bought, their fuel is nearly gone and it is now high time that someone gets serious about enforcing the IWC global moratorium on commercial whaling and expose these whaling pirates for what they really are. You need to stop being so divisive! It's all good and it's for the whales. Don't forget about the whales.

Hi to all Crew on the Esperanza,
This is exciting at home here in N Z.hearing on the main tv.1.news about the goings on in the southern Ocean.I have read books on the early explorers down at Antartic. I find the whole atmosphere of the area very romantic so reading your reports of the wildlife and colourful pictures you are sending us extra special.Take care and enjoy your lifetime trip,wish I was there. Best wishes from Dean Baigent_Mercer .Greenpeace.Pa, Larry.

Hi Bob,

Good point about focusing on the whales, but of course that's what Dave and the rest of the Esperanza crew are doing, by definition :-)

A policy of non-violence isn't being divisive - it's just a different way of doing things, and ultimately more effective.

Anyway, thanks for your comment, and all your good points... and your support, of course.

It's about ending whaling forever. Everyone has the same thing in their hearts, and that's a start, eh?

Heck Bob, if it's so easy to go and stop the whalers why aren't you down there yourself? Maybe you could stop whining, strap a few pontoons to your armchair, paddle south and try ramming a few whaling boats?

Whaling is a horrible violent act - why would Greenpeace stoop to their level with more violence and aggression? It's entirely possible to stop whaling peacefully and that's exactly what GP is doing.

If I took a gun from a crack dealer and smashed it would that be violent. You can only be violent against people and animals not inaminate objects, eg a ship which is being used to cause violence, ie killing whales.
Sea shepherd are only doing what the government should be doing if they had any backbone

Dave on the Esperanza: Paul, there are people on all three ships involved. People are not inanimate objects.

The two aproaches are different and complement each other. Sea Shepherd's direct action (the stuff GP used to do) can have an immediate effect, while GP's softer line will appeal to a conservative mainstream. (Though as a paid up AU GP member I kind of would like a more activist bent out of GP).

I totally endorse the work of both groups, and both groups should realise that more ships in the area means safety in numbers, and more pressure on the Japanese.

EDITOR'S NOTE: GP has never condoned or used violent action, only non-violent direct action, which we will of course be doing when we put ourselves between harpoons and whales once again. -Adele, GP Webbie

Have I ever suggested that greenpeace resort to violence? No, I am saying that it is all good for the whales. Any whaling pirates out of commission represents many saved whales.

"Sea Shepherd has been out there for six weeks busy outsmarting a $150k satellite surveillance imaging service that the whaling pirates bought".
bob i assuming that you are being facetious about the "outsmarting" part as being out there for 6 week and finding the whaling fleet 4 days ago with minimal fuel left is hardly outsmarting. how ever will they get back to new zealand safely to be arrested? i think it would be fair to say that given the current run of events, this update included, nothing sea shepherd has done this venture would be considered smart. its really is too bad as they are risking lives and giving the whalers exactly what their press office wants -the nutter environmentalists.

Hi esperanza and thank you for being on the front line to defend our beautiful whales. I'd just like to say that rather than criticise the way the sea sheperd CS is dealing with the Japanese whalers, please be thankful that they are there and putting their lives at risk. I remember when I was 10 and the number of humpbacks was so low - now they are at a healthy level but still need our protection. Right now we need to protect these animals and stop whaling in its tracks. I thank anyone who is helping these peaceful animals regardless of how they go about it. The future welfare of these animals is the most important issue. The Japanese are using sick and barbaric methods to kill these whales and it needs to stop. Unfortunately, governments are not doing enough to stop commercial whaling so I thank God for Greenpeace and the Sea Sheperd CS for anything they can and will do for the protection of whales. xxxx Australia

Why is Sea Shepherd wasting time ramming ships and not focussing at the issue in hand? It's completely pointless to show agression to the Japanese whaling ships as surely this will make them even more determined to hunt for these beautiful creatures...

"it is now high time that someone gets serious about enforcing the IWC global moratorium on commercial whaling" .... why on earth do you think Greenpeace are down there then Bob? Writing discouraging comments on other environmentalists webpages is childish and a waste of time. Grr.

Hi Paul: I think the problem is not so much damage against the ship itself, but the fact that damage to these ships OR accidental damage to humans could cause human death - remember it's bloody freezing out there, literally, and weeks from land, medical help or supplies.

So.. let me get this straight.. Greenpeace's Esperanza DOES have the capability to head "full speed" to assist the Kaiko Maru (an honorable act I do not criticise here) and yet it has resisted sailing said "full speed" to fulfill its mission of protecting the whales - even after learning of the Japanese whalers' coordinates??? The Esperanza obviously CAN do so. And yet.. it has not. Huh? Befuddled and bemused, *Heather*

Dave on the Esperanza: Heather, not fully getting your point here. The Kaiko Maru is neither a "catcher boat" or a factory ship, and does not have capacity to kill whales in its own right.It's just a "sighting" vessel. We're after the catcher boats and the Nisshin Maru, the ones that do the real damage.

Ha, ha, ha, ...I like that Tama. Not to worry, all these barbs toward Greenpeace won't diminish the spiritual beauty inside their hearts. These warriors of the rainbow are made of tougher stuff, and know what they're there for. How about everyone saying a little prayer for them and keep sending positive, and encouraging messages, instead of trying to send hurtful and negative ones. Don't you think that's the right thing to do for the whales, ...and for humanity in general? Maybe those who do that should turn a new 'Page', like to that excellent new one posted above. ...And yet another perfect post from you Dave, ...standing there being counted, with the strength (...and Loving patience), that it takes. Somehow, it means everything to me personally to see such a spirit like you being a part of this earth. How ironic it is, ...those that criticize you, and all those aboard the Esperanza, ...would give anything to feel for a moment, what you do in your hearts. How sad it really is, ...how it just slips through their fingers like that.

I'm worried, ...please keep your distance from those that advocate violent solutions. I think it's a great decision you've made to time your arrival after the Sea Shepard ships are near ending their presence. This of course will ultimately keep the pressure on to the whalers much longer, who refuel at sea, ...and which of course is the point of this insidious, brutal, and dangerous game that must be played out, and brought into the Light for all to see. Love you guys, ...GC

three cheers for the epseranza, the robert hunter, and the farley mowat. this is all good for the whales!

Alright....I used to work for Greenpeace USA, and after about a year of trying to make a difference in the world I realized that the Greenpeace of my youth was definitely not the Greenpeace of the current reality.

Unfortunately, what I found was an organization that was so mired in protecting it's own collective ass that they had become ineffective. What I found was an organization so concerned with self promotion that they forgot why they were there in the first place. What I found was an organization that was still desperately trying to cling to the reputation they had acquired in the 70's while abandoning the innovative and daring actions that garnered them that same reputation.

I'm going to try not to debate the whole "violence" vs. "non-violence" drama, but will only state that I believe that both have their place not only in the history of the activist movement but in the history of the world as a whole.

After perusing both this and Captain Watson's (Sea Sheperd) blog, from the information available I find it very self-serving and aggrandizing of Greenpeace that they refused to aid the Sea Sheperd crew by revealing the Esperanza's position when asked by Captain Watson, especially since you are both working towards the same goal. I really don't think that the maritime courtesy of relaying your position to other ships at sea can be considered a violent act.

Unfortunately, over the past few decades a huge rift has developed between the big budget folks like Greenpeace and smaller more in your face organizations whose actions can be considered "radical". This rift has cast a shadow over the entire activist community and is a big part of the reason why I am a former activist.

When I was a younger lad and just starting out my fledgling activist career I was given the advice, "Use all the tools in the box."

Greenpeace crew, staff and supporters, I challenge you to answer me this, in your heart of hearts, what is most important to you, stopping the senseless and illegal killing of these beautiful marine creatures who share this crazy blue green ball we all live on, or covering your own ass and making sure that you get the maximum media bang for your dollar by making sure you are not associated with a group that has different tactics and beliefs that you do.

You can't do both.

The eight year old me longs for the days when a small group of concerned citizens really did change the world by sailing into the French nuclear test zone on a barely sea-worthy boat (as per Margaret Meade's predictions). But the 37 year old me mourns for what Greenpeace has become, an irrelevant self-serving money machine more interested in media spin than actually doing something to actually preserve the Earth's environment.

It saddens me to see the death of those eight year old dreams.

I'm sure this post will be deleted by Greenpeace staffers interested in maintaining Greenpeace's reputation as a media darling, but who knows...maybe you will actually get to read it.

"Former Activist" - look, you weren't deleted! I'm sorry that you have such a jaundiced perspective of Greenpeace today. It's definitely been far from my experience.

I'm getting a bit tired of saying this: We don't give out our coordinates, because that is how, year, after year (in other campaigns too, apart from whaling), we have been effective.

No one has said that giving out our position might be a violent act. We're not obliged to give it out - and we got Friday's positions from the Sea Shepherd website, not from Sea Shepherd themselves.

Now, can please please get back to talking about stop whalers, rather than this bickering about which environmental group does what? It suits the whalers to have you guys coming on here and slagging us off - it causes a rift in the camp.

Don't be playing into the whalers hands.

We're using all the tools in the box here. Now wait and watch.

Dave, thanks for responding to my earlier post about the Kaiko Maru. My point is, if you all CAN, upon hearing another ship's distress call, sail "full speed", why not already BE in "full speed" to catch up to the whalers?

How is it that you learned of the whalers' coordinates a while back and did not, by all appearances, go into this "full speed" at that very moment? Why did it take one of the Japanese whaling ships' distress calls to GET you to go to that "full speed"?

And it doesn't even matter what the Kaiko Maru's crew is up to (whether they be a sighting vessel as you mentioned or the actual factory ship), the point is they're STILL part of the fleet whose purpose it is to butcher the whales. They're "just" a sighting vessel? I was shocked to read that response, Dave.

I just don't get how the Esperanza was NOT going "full speed" already to intercept the whalers upon learning of their coordinates.

And I'm not just arguing semantics here. In order for one to go from one speed to "full speed", one must therefore go FASTER than they had already been sailing... and the fact that the Esperanza was sailing at this slower speed for some time saddened me.

Just please hurry, at your "full speed", to catch up to the whalers. Whales are being slaughtered NOW.

And, unfortunately, I have to say my feelings are starting to resonate with "Former Activist"'s. And I don't want them to.

How could you simply listen to what the Japanese murderers were saying?

Have they given any evidence of why they hit the distress button?

The only picture and video I have seen on our news is the Japanese ramming into a
stationary Sea Shepherd vessel and side swiping a Sae Shepherd ship.

Quite contradictory to what the japanese whalers said.

You fullas are trying to stop the whalers by protests and highlighting the
plight of the whales, and yet, it is Sea Shepherd that is highlighting it
more.
Their actions are bringing attention to the situation down there.
They are getting the job done!!!

You have been trying for how long? we see a few people running around in
boats and not much more and still the japanese whalers carry on.

Sea Shepherd are doing the job that countless governments are to gutless to
do and that is trying to stop the Japanese whalers fishing in the santuary,
greenpeace are down there but not doing much at all that we can see except for the occasional media coverage.

But thankyou for being there.

Please remember, even though the Sea Shepherd are using different tactics
than you, you are both down there highlighting the plight of the whales and
the actrocities of the Japanese Whale Murderers.
You should both aid each other, and not be sarcastic to them.

You are both activists fighting the cause against real Eco-Terrorists, just in differing ways.

Look out for each other.

Hi *Heather*. That's actually a good question. For a start, ships don't sail at "full speed" all the time - it burns way more fuel per mile, which means using more fuel quickly, and that shortens the ship's range. I guess it's like a person - we don't run around all the time, we can walk all day, but we run when it's an emergency.

If you take, say a naval patrol vessel, doing fisheries protection - that wouldn't sail at full speed all the time - it will patrol. Just as a police patrol car doesn't drive at full speed. There's no point in going at full whack until you've got something close enough to chase - and chases at sea are long, drawn out situations - not like in, say, Pirates of the Caribbean. Last year, the Esperanza chased a reefer carrying 11,000 boxes of stolen fish from Guinea to Las Palmas. It's a good 2000km or so. The "chase" took a week!

And of course, burning more fuel ain't particular good for the environment either. The Esperanza has a propulsion system that means our "cruise" speed is better for the environment than other ships.

I forgot to add: Don't forget, we're working in the ice down here - so either it's not possible to move at full speed, or when it is, you've got to be careful of growlers and icebergs that are too small to show up on radar. This is especially the case in the dark.

Now, back to the situation being discussed - the Kaiko Maru isn't a whaling ship per se. Yes, it's part of the Japanese whaling fleet, but it's neither a catcher boat or factory ship. We weren't after that one! There were no other whaling vessels in the vicinity, and we have nothing to gain by confronting a sighting vessel, which sail a day or more ahead of the main fleet.

I think there's some confusion about coordinates - Sea Shepherd released coordinates relating to their whereabouts sometime on Friday - the Southern Ocean is a big place, and we were a good day or so's sailing away. It's obvious that by the time we arrived, there wouldn't be anyone there! All of these ships keep moving, all the time.

Even apart from the whaling campaign, Greenpeace does a lot of tracking down of vessels - pirate fishing boats, GM soya transporters, and nuclear shipments to name but a few. I could sit here and sum up a total for all the years of experience both on board the Esperanza and on land. I would be here all day doing so. Instead, I'll ask you to keep your faith in us - we know what we're doing.

More about the Esperanza

Steve - The media has reported on the whaler's claims about the distress call. We have no other information on the issue - i.e. no more information than what you have.

"How could you simply listen to what the Japanese murderers were saying"

- what do you mean by this? What they were saying where? The procedures for issuing maydays are more complicated and less localised than you might think.

The whalers are saying one thing, Sea Shepherd are saying another. We weren't there, so we can't say what happened for sure. If you would like to post a link the video you've seen, please do - I haven't seen it yet myself.

"Not doing much at all?" - don't be so impatient. See my earlier post - these things take time. It took Sea Shepherd many weeks before they encountered the whaling fleet. We're only here a week. But as I've said here many times already, it's not a whaling saving competition. Sea Shepherd have their methods, and we have ours, which have proved effective time and time again.

More about distress signals
More about the "Global Maritime Distress Safety System"

- anyway, thanks for the good thoughts!

let me guess, you are waiting for the Sea Shepherd ships to run out of fuel so you can have a clear run at the whaling ships yourself for a nice photo op.
Ask yourselves why the whalers continue killing whales when GreenPeace are watching, but run away as fast as they can go when the Sea Shepherds arrive?
I'm sick of seeing dead whales on my TV screen, we have more than enough pictures, now is the time to stop them, you guys have the ships and the money, stop pissing around and stop the bastards.

The picture in here sure shows who was ramming who.
The vid was on our tv news.

As has been said, you are both down there after the same cause, why not be a bit helpful, leave the "violence" part to them while you carry on the way you have been.

Don't you think being so negative towards Sea Shephard is falling into the hands of The Japanese whalers? It is causing more divisiveness.
So what if that boat was not part of the catcher or (scientific?)slaughter boat, it is spotting the whales for the catchers. It is part of the fleet.

You are there for the whales.

Why Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd should be stopped.

Why have groups such as Greenpeace etal been so militant about whaling? It's simple to understand. Many groups oppose meat & fish consumption in all forms and if the fisheries are managed correctly, whaling is no different from these industries. The big difference is that whaling is not culturally normal in most western countries. Why aren't these groups attacking fishing boats or pig & cattle farms? Simply because they would be dismissed as crazy because these are considered normal in western countries. Switch now to the Japanese worldview and the picture that appears is simple cultural imperialism on the part of Greenpeace and others.

Having lived in Japan for some time, I can tell you that your efforts are backfiring miserably. Interest in whale meat had naturally been diminishing simply due to the fact that it's expensive and doesn't taste very good! It's simply not a good product. Attacking whaling ships is playing straight into the hands of the Japanese right wingers who love nothing better than to be a victim of western cultural invasion and, mostly in defiance, interest in whale consumption is being rekindled.

Have a look at some of the language used here such as "Japanese murderers". Blatant racist imagery.

In short, your (and others) efforts have had the following effects:

- provided evidence of western cultural dogmatism playing straight into the victim mindset of Japanese right wing groups

- rekindled interest in whale products which were otherwise considered expensive and inferior

- destroyed any chance of sensibly managing whale fisheries

- damaging Japan/western relations, making sensible fisheries (not just for whaling) management close to impossible

I'm not a supporter of whaling, but these attacks on Japan must stop. Sensible compromise must be reached and this will never happen with hardline groups like Greenpeace. It's only a matter of time before someone is killed in this debacle, especially with psychos like Sea Shepherd seemingly intent on martyrdom.

Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd - racist cultural fundamentalists who put whales ahead of international relations, common sense and even human life.

Hey Steve - I watched the TV3 news, and it doesn't have any footage or photos of anyone ramming anyone - the news report even points that both sides claim to have footage, but no one has yet seen it.

It's interesting that you say "Don't you think being so negative towards Sea Shephard is falling into the hands of The Japanese whalers? It is causing more divisiveness."

Steve - don't you think being so negative towards Greenpeace is falling into the hands of The Japanese whalers?

I'm spending an awful lot of my time here responding to comments like "why aren't Greenpeace more like Sea Shepherd etc." This isn't a beauty contest, or a ship race or a whale-saving competition. We have our methods, Sea Shepherd have theirs.

About the spotter boat - we have fatter fish to fry, so to speak.

Dave

Mark - if Sea Shepherd ships are running out of fuel, that's their business, and really doesn't affect our strategies. They don't tell us about their fuel or their plans - that's their business!

Big Dave, I noticed that you say "the fisheries are managed correctly, whaling is no different from these industries". The problem is, fisheries do not tend to be managed correctly - something we've been highlighting even more than usual over the last year or so.

You're right in a way - whaling does have similarities, in that as there is a crisis of overfishing, there's also been a history of overwhaling. I'll be posting a timeline off the whaling industry later. Stay tuned for that.

Fish and whales are wild animals - they are not bred (leaving out the fish farming issue for a moment) for meat, like farm animals. David@tokyo has been posting in a similar vein (damn, all these daves are getting confusing), and the argument doesn't hold water. Farm animals are domesticated. Whales are wild animals. And people in Japan eat plenty of beef and other meat products too!

If you must draw an analogy to land-based mammals, then why not the American Bison?

The "Japanese murderers" quote was made by someone who's criticising Greenpeace - and definitely not our view - I'd like to hear why you think we're making racist statements. As you can see, there's plenty of hardliners who do not agree with Greenpeace's tactics - and some of them are making the racist comments - I've actually not posted some comments because of their blatant racism and abuse.

I've got our Japanese campaigner, Sakyo, sitting alongside me here. He's not impressed either with the comments some of those racist comments, and not particular impressed with your sweeping statements either!

Greenpeace uses non-violent tactics. We do not put human lives in danger. Simple as that.

As for putting whales ahead of international relations? I think you'll find that Japan is guilty of putting whaling ahead of international relations!

I am getting rather sick with the so called violence in the arctic waters. The real violence is taking place against the whales not by the whale defenders but by the whale hunters my dear friends. Greenpeace has been opposing this slaughter for years but how? By collecting huge sums of money and by FILMING the massacre. Guys, we have enough footage of the slaughter!! We know how these whales die and in what agony. It is time for hard action. Ramming a ship in order to save a pod of whales should not be criticized but should be applauded and the example should be followed. Direct action seems to be the only thing the world understands. Direct action was something that Greenpeace stood for ...for a long time. I wonder what has happened to a once great conservation society.... It has become dormant.... Thank God we still have grass roots organizations like Sea Sheperd who wholeheartedly AND WITHOUT VIOLENCE intervene on behalf of the whales. Instead of criticizing them you should follow their example and join forces. Remember one thing...Paul Watson is one of the co-founders of your mastodont organization and should be approached with a little bit of respect and dignity!!! He was chasing whale killers when you were still running around with a lollypop in your mouth! When ramming a illegal whaler is called violent what would you call killing 1000 whales in a protected area...?? A picnic in the park. GUYS....WAKE UP PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dave on Esperanza you seem to have a lot of time for PR. Its a real shame that you see the Sea Shepherders as being violent, I know people who have crewed on her and they are not axe wielding murderers, you know. I feel a bit like 'Former Activist' when I think of Greenpeace now, only because of what you don't do anymore! Here's a challenge for you, Esperanza: Give the Sea Shepherd some fuel and supplies so they can do what you aren't prepared to do anymore! You say you are peaceful and all that, well how about a gesture of goodwill? Or would you rather drop a banner or two.

Dave on the Esperanza,
I agree completely that conventional fisheries are not currently being properly managed. That does not mean that they cannot be properly managed (as can whaling fisheries). I believe that this should be the ultimate goal - to haggle out a scientifically feasible sustainable fishery system. If we aren't willing to deal then Japan's only options are to cave in (not gonna happen) or keep making up dodgy scientific programmes to satisfy the right wingers.

With regards to the racism issue... It must be made completely clear to all that it's simply not on to demonise Japan. Many people (including myself) have worked very hard for years to improve relations with Japan and it's dismaying to see signs in my local community screaming "BOYCOTT JAPAN! Jap whale murderers!" and other anti-japanese sentiment being manifested. It is simply not fair to the average Japanese person and will backfire disastrously. I feel that Greenpeace and others have been conspicuous in their silence on this. Why am I the first person to call out someone using language like "Japanese murderers"? Even Sakyo must admit that most Japanese wouldn't have the faintest idea about the whaling fleet and their activities and even if they did they probably wouldn't understand why they are under attack. And why would they?? To them it's just fishing (for an overpriced, overrated species). Good luck convincing the average Japanese person that fish is bad.

Japan has been attempting to bargain on the issue of whaling for years and is all but close to giving up and turning to clandestine and pseudo-scientific missions - a disaster for all concerned. We have let emotions get in the way of common sense. I can personally vouch for the fact that whale burgers and fried whale meat taste like crap and will never become more than a niche oddity market. It's time to make a deal with Japan.

Edith - it's my responsibility to run this weblog. It means putting in very long day to respond to each one of you, but if it means I can communicate the situation concerning "scientific"whaling in the Southern Ocean, then it's worth doing.

Please re-read the this blog entry. We didn't say who was to blame for the collision or collisions yesterday - we don't know, we weren't there. We don't know who was violent yesterday.

For the record - "you say I think of Greenpeace now, only because of what you don't do anymore" - I'm a bit confused by this. Can you tell me what it is we don't do any more?

Check out last year's campaign - we didn't come here to take photos. Last year, our ships got rammed by the whaling ships, our activists got hosed down in subzero conditions, and knocked out of boats. We blocked the harpoons - just read this article.

Recommended reading: So why are we going to the Southern Ocean?

We'll be repeating these activities - and doing lots more, in the coming weeks.

Folks - any chance of some encouragement for the activists, instead of constantly slamming us?

Big Dave - good ideas - and we agree with many of them. Us being here in the Southern Ocean is a necessary part of the overall campaign - but it's just part of it. It will be won in Japan, when the Japanese public say "enough" of this. That's exactly what we're working on.

See So why are we going to the Southern Ocean?

Also, check out Whale Love Wagon

I dunno where people get off in thinking that using someone's nationality as an adjective is racist. If that was the case then "Brazilian goal scorer", "Asian goddess", "Irish guitarist" would all be racist. For gods sake get a life.

If the claim had been "gook murderer" or "nip murderer" ok, then I could entertain the possibility.

I couldn't give a toss about the reasons why or why not. Japanese (simply) should not be whaling anymore than I ought to be able to knock of a neighbourhood moggie if I'm feeling a bit peckish. End of story.

The entire civilised world (not hard up for the back handers) are agin it. Japan should just pull their little bloody heads in and wear it.

Steve - funny you should say that - those are the kind of racial slurs in comments that I'm not tolerating.

From Adriana ( the Brazilian Goddess ).
If the key to make Japan abandon whaling for good lies on the will of its people, how come the Japanese people ( everywhere I read says that the majority is against whaling ) is not letting their will be known? Why are they allowing their government to spend taxpayer's money to "bribe" other nations into joining IWC and voting pro commercial whalling? Another thing, is whaling for research allowed in the sanctuary? And if it is so, what justifies killing almost 1000 whales a year in the name of "research"?

heather, I was not being facetious in the least bit.
regarding your comment about finding the killing fleet four days ago with no fuel reserves, captian watson and said he would sacrifice his life in a heart beat to save a whale. i'm sure many of his crew feel the same. knowing that, it's obvious that fuel is fairly trivial. i'm sure what we are seeing is very much calculated on his part.

Adriana - damn good questions, and ones we're addressing! Read here for more information on our campaign in Japan.

"A recent public survey in Japan showed some interesting results; firstly that 92% of the public were not aware that their government even had a whaling programme that was about to kill more than 850 whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary; and also that 69% of Japanese people did not support whaling on the high seas. As in all countries, the Japanese government is accountable to its people for the policies it follows and how it spends their tax yen. Historically, the anti-whaling movement has been portrayed in Japan as being "anti-Japanese" rather than simply opposing the industry itself. This year, we are focusing on making it clear to Japanese people that we are not against Japan at all; but that we, like the majority of Japanese themselves, do not support their government's high seas whaling programme."
Read more »

Hi everyone.
After reading all the postings available at this time the common question is still why greenpeace wont team up with Sea Sheperd and work as a team?
I understand you have different views on how to go about your work but there has so far been no real reason for not working with Sea Sheperd. As long as you don't cross the moral line that Greenpeace adheres by why not work together? 3 ships would be better than 2 and leave any "so called violence" up to the sea sheperd ships.

I support both Greenpeace and Sea Sheperd organizations and focusing media attention RIGHT NOW on this issue is crucial. Sea Sheperd has achieved this with Paul Watson giving several interviews from the southern ocean and it’s working!!!! Japanese illegal whaling is coming up in conversation (left-right-and centre) which I believe is the ultimate goal. Isn't there a saying "there is no such thing as bad publicity"?

Greenpeace, you need to step out from the shadow of the sea sheperd and bring your own attention to this topic NOW otherwise you will be lost in the fog.....

To the person who claimed "Japanese murderers" was racist. They are Japanese and they are killing against the law which does make it a murderous act. While it may not sound nice it is factually correct. I don’t believe that the use of “Japanese murderers” was meant for the Japanese race as a whole, rather those directly involved in the slaughter of our marine beauties.

In summary I would like to thank the crew, staff and activists onboard the Esperanza. I think it is important for you to know regardless of the questions and suggestions made on this weblog, we do appreciate what you are doing for our whales, their sanctuary and more importantly their future.

BTW if one of the Sea Sheperd boats does give the Japanese Whalers a steel enema will you assist if they send out a mayday call?

Hey Loz - thanks - when you're out here in the middle of the ocean, it seems a long way back to what's happening back on land. We don't want my crewmates thinking the world is ganging up on them, eh?

We will, of course, respond to any distress calls. That goes without saying. Hopefully there won't be a third distress call.

Dave on the Esperanza,
"Steve - funny you should say that - those are the kind of racial slurs in comments that I'm not tolerating."

Why censor it? This is the genie that has been let out of the bottle by Greenpeace and others. A quick scan of the internet will show you how quickly things are deteriorating. You're an intelligent person and I'm sure you can see where this is heading and I'm sure you'll agree it's not pretty. I'm not sure about the US, but here in Australia anti-Japanese sentiment is quickly getting out of control. Don't make the mistake of dismissing these people and simply hitting the delete key. I would beg of you to at least devote some of your publicity to strongly countering this sentiment.

PS - I loved "kujirabu" :) Good work. Thank God you aren't trying to convince them with pictures of slaughtered whales. The video was great, but according to the graph on whale consumption, it looked as if whale meat popularity was already on a dive to nothing from 1962. I stand by my original sentiment... most Japanese think it's crappy and it will never be popular even in a whale free for all. It's simply not a good enough product to branch outside cultural oddity or desperation food. The western notion that Japanese are lusting for whale flesh is fantasy.

Big Dave: It's not censorship - anymore than if a visitor came to your house and start making racist comments over the dinner table. By all means, people can state their opinion here, but if they can't do it without being abusive, then their arguments can't be too strong.

Beside, there's kids reading these threads!

dave, I am not convinced about your talking points regarding greenpeace not wanting to work with sea shepherd. as said in earlier comments, greenpeace can still be greenpeace in direct action. it is completely obvious that the more ships that coordinate a search the more effective you would become in finding the pirate whalers. once found, you could still take the non-violent approach.
let me ask you this: is the real reason that greenpeace does not want to be a material witness to a terrorist organization? oh, there's that word again. words like that, or how about eco-terrorist? I dunno, maybe that is a legitimate concern?

Where are you guys?

Greenpeace has sadly morphed into a colossal multi-national corporation, becoming more concerned with preserving itself and its cashflow than saving whales. It's a natural progression, unfortunately, that has made Greenpeace a victim of its own success.

Now mired in political correctness and spin, Greenpeace stands to the side like a toothless old pussy while Sea Shepherd gets stuck in and confronts the issue head-on, garnering all the headlines, notoriety and admiration that Greenpeace might have had it stayed true to its roots.

I'm rooting for Sea Shepherd, jumping up and down in my chair while wondering where the hell you guys have got to.

Like Former Activist, I'm lamenting the loss of the Greenpeace I remember from when I was a child.

Are you down there on a pleasure cruise or are you going to stop those f***ers killing whales?

Bob do you want to know the real reason?

Hey Warren - we're in the middle of the ice in the Southern Ocean, hunting the whaling fleet - where are you?

I'd hardly call that standing to one side like a "toothless old pussy"- dunno where ya got that idea.

dave, I'm not asking you to be like sea shepherd. all I am saying is that you could coordinate in the search. that's it. after you find them you could do business the way greenpeace prefers. why do you keep going around in circles on this?

Hi again, I am thouroghly enjoying this weblog and hearing so many different opinions. I'd just want to remind everyone that we all want the same thing. The whaling stopped. It is easy for us sitting on our butts to critisice how greenpeace and sea sheperd are going about their work. But that's the difference. They are in the southern ocean freezing their butts off and we are here. Warm, cosy and all the creature comforts availabe. Please, regardless of your opinion (and all opinions are necessary to debate a topic), the Greenpeace and Sea Sheperd crews deserve our respect. Remember they are doing this work for US aswell as the whales.

Hey Bob - I'm not going in circles. Greenpeace chooses not to work with Sea Shepherd - simple as that!

OK then, why?

Bob, I stuck a link in an earlier comment, but you may have missed it:

"Greenpeace has made it very clear for years that we will not cooperate with Sea Shepherd because we don't not agree with the tactics they employ. That is a position based on long held principles. We do not publicly criticize Sea Shepherd nor do we intend to, because that is also a principle we hold - we simply say that our focus is on the whaling issue and how to stop it, in the Southern Ocean, in the political arena and most importantly in Japan."
More »

And here's something from much earlier, December 2006, from Shane Rattenbury, Oceans Team Leader for Greenpeace:

"Years ago a man called Paul Watson used to work for Greenpeace. He now runs an organisation called Sea Shepherd. He frequently makes less than flattering remarks about Greenpeace and the people who work for the organisation. Recently he asked if we would collaborate with him in the Southern Ocean. We said no. Some of you want to know why, so for the sake of transparency, here is the letter that explains our reasons. Once you have read it, I suggest you do what I did - forget about it and carry on working to stop whales being hunted in the Southern Ocean."

thanks dave, now I understand.

Wow, Dave (on the Esperanza), I would like to buy you a drink sometime! You deserve it after having to respond to all of these comments.

Unfortunately it seems a lot of people don't have a very good understanding of logistics, but then they probably have no requirement so they are hardly ignorant. I just feel for you having to explain and re-explain it all.

And again: Stand strong Greenpeace, you're doing the right thing and you have my full support!

For all the Pro Sea Shepherd people (who seem to be spending their energy posting unproductive comments about Greenpeace here), good for you for supporting a group you believe in. I'm doing exactly the same thing by supporting Greenpeace. How about, instead of attacking another environmental group on the internet, you use the internet time to send an email off to the Denmark government -- you're preaching to the converted here, we all want to save the whales -- direct your energy towards those who don't!

Hey Felyne - thanks! I need a drink... and new fingers and wrists. I could have tendonitis from responding to comments before this trip is over!

Felyne, after reading all the posts i fing very few pro sea sheperd supporters who are criticising the way Greenpeace act, rather, they are questioning the possibility of a more cohesive approach to tackle whaling. I support both Greenpeace and Sea Sheperds' approach regardless of how they differ. Given we as supporters have a common interest (saving the whales) we should find a way to encourage each other to support these organisations. For Greenpeace supporters to find the good in sea sheperd tactics and vice versa. Why does there need to be such segregation between these 2 groups. While GP and SS may have had reasons for not working together in the past this issue is too big for each of them to fight seperately. Maybe down the line they can put their differences aside and think of the greater good. I read the letter from GP to SS and understand there are issues between them, however, i find it hard to believe they couldn't find a common ground to start from. Don't we all want peace in this world???

Hi Dave on the Esperanza,

I have been reading and posting comments on this weblog and today found myself wondering how decisions about expeditions are made within Greenpeace? How do you decide what action you will take on an expedition? Does it go to a vote where majority rules or are decisions made from those higher up the food chain? I'm assuming there is some form of hierarchy within the organisation ad how does it influence decisions and expeditions made. Thanks to your responses on this weblog i am pleased to say i am learning so much.

Dave and Karli on the Esperanza:

Well, it's complicated! There's input like the ideas IGO website which are reviewed by people within Greenpeace - all with years of experience of expeditions and actions - who go through them to see what's logistically possible, and what works with the campaign in order to achivee the overall aims.

In this case, these include:

(1) direct action to prevent individual whales from being killed and

(2) bearing witness and raising awareness of the reality of Japanese government's whaling programme in the Sanctuary.

Ideas can come from crew onboard, activists from previous actions, people from our offices etc etc, and are all checked to ensure that they fit the above criteria for the campaign. Make sense?

BIG UP GREENPEACE! YOU GUYS ARE DOING A GREAT JOB KEEP IT UP. TO PUT HUMAN LIFE AT RISK NO MATTER WHO IT IS, IS NOT THE WAY FORWARD. WELL DONE GREENPEACE FOR HAVING THE WIT TO SEE THIS. WE NEED TO THINK IN THE LONG TERM NOT JUST THE SHORT.
GOOD LUCK WITH THE REST OF YOUR MISSION GREENPEACE! SAVE THE WHALES!

Congratulations to the Esperanza for sticking to their principles, and to Dave for all those responses.

I think it would all do everyone good to just stop trying to catch Greenpeace out with some petty statements and focus on the task in hand.

Good luck Greenpeace, you are doing a fantastic job down there!

To quote Paul Watson:

"The story is not about us. It's about the illegal slaughter of endangered whales in a whale sanctuary.

We need to keep the focus on this issue."

Well said. Here's one way you can help...

whales.greenpeace.org

dave: you and your crew are in the arena the people condenming you are probably like me in the office or the comfort of home. I applaud and respect your actions and courage. i do not understand all the politics but cannot stand those who are on the sidelines and afraid to participate criticizing those very few of you that are not afraid to live your convictions. God- Speed

You know whats funny,
as has been meantioned before,
When Greenpeace turn up, the whalers keep fishng, and yet when Sea shepherd turns up the whalers panic and run.
What tactics are working?

I Have to agree with what Loz has said, I am questioning why can't you be more cohesive in your approach about the whales and these murderous whalers.

Why not help Sea Shepherd out?
It will certainly show Greenpeace still have a heart.
Afterall, isn't 3 boats harrassing the whalers better than one?
So what if you have differing tactics, you are all there for the same reason!
Oh and wasn't Paul Shepherd a Co-founder of Greenpeace?

Oh btw, the posting of that letter regarding co-operation just goes to show the petiness of this situation.
You are there for the whales or are you there for a media stunt.

Dave on the Esperanza : Steve, please continue this discussion over here on the forums, where i've answered your questions the best i can

Dave,

I'm at home watching events unfold, like millions of armchair activists. Where are you? You certainly don't appear to be confronting the whalers. I'm not suggesting you go in and start ramming the boats, but why aren't you there in middle of the fray, making a fuss? I stand by my statement that Greenpeace appears to have lost its teeth as time has gone by. Sea Shepherd found the whalers while you guys give the appearance of floundering around out there generating plenty of spin but no action.

Dave on the Esperanza: Bear with us, Warren

Dave, I'll admit to playing the devil's advocate to a certain degree, but you in turn have to admit that it's good to get the debate really going huh? I have a very close personal connection with the Esperanza, so don't get the impression I'm not behind you guys. I just want to see everybody stick it to the Japanese whalers as much as possible. And I can't help cheering loudly at Sea Shepherd for having the balls to get in there and really shove the issue into the headlines (however debatable their methods). They've completely stolen your thunder.

Warren - it's all very well playing devil's advocate, but it needs to be constructive - I don't see anything in your previous post that's playing devil's advocate - you just said:

"Greenpeace appears to have lost its teeth as time has gone by. Sea Shepherd found the whalers while you guys give the appearance of floundering around out there generating plenty of spin but no action."

Of course we want debate. That's why I keep posting the link to the forums, which are a better medium for debate than the blog comments.

Ok, folks - enough!

WAIT! Before you post another, remember that this is NOT a discussion forum. It's a place for commenting on the blog article that's been posted.

The best place for debate is thewhales forum.

Of course, we welcome debate - we relish it! Let's have a constructive debate in one place rather than scattering it all over the blog. What do you say? To the forums.

Thanks!

Thanks for that Dave, I found it and have registered.

Peace out ...... and hassle those whalers

I saw it on BBC World. Most of the footage was shot from the Robert Hunter.They painted "WHALE MEAT" on the transom of the Kaiko Maru. It showed the starboard bow of the Robert Hunter colliding into the midship of the Kaiko Maru. Paul Watson was on the bridge calling for them to cease their illegal whaling practice in a protected whale sanctuary. Maybe the distress call was because two Sea Shepherds crew were missing. Both ships went searching for them, and they were found 7 hours later.

Greenpeace. Sea Shepherds. Same philosophy. Just different methods of carrying out their actions. I've met crew members from the Farley Mowatt whenever it's been in Bermuda and helped them in whatever way I could. We agreed to disagree on a number of issues, but agreed on many others. I missed meeting Paul Watson,though. He'd just flown back to Canada after hearing of Bob Hunter's death.

Philip - I think you're mixing up two events. The missing Sea Shepherd people incident was on Friday. The collision happened on Sunday.

Dear Dave, In my opinion peaceful means are the ONLY way to go. If GP opts to use violence to persue its/our objectives will be a dead organization in no time as public opinion and responsible governments will turn against the ideas of protecting whales (Whaling nations will take advantage and will create confision in public opinion). Besides, there is too much violence already. We should all do our best to reduce any form or manifestation of violence.The Sea Sheppard is doing what it consider best, but in the medium long term, peaceful means will be the winner

Thanks Robert! - Dave

Dear Dave, In my opinion peaceful means are the ONLY way to go. If GP opts to use violence to persue its/our objectives will be a dead organization in no time as public opinion and responsible governments will turn against the ideas of protecting whales (Whaling nations will take advantage and will create confusion in public opinion). Besides, there is too much violence already in the world. We should all do our best to reduce any form or manifestation of violence.The Sea Sheppard is doing what it considers best, but in the medium to long term, peaceful means will be the clear winner

Doh! Thanks for enlightening me Dave!

Both groups GreenPeace and Sea Shepherd.
have spent many moons locked up in dirty jails and sometimes beaten and treated like
prisoners of war fighting for animal rights and the environment, among others, So for those folks who have not paid their dues as GP and SS have should realize these folks that fight the fight may never have it as good as you.

Is greenpeace down there in the southern ocean???wonder I never of it,,are they just watching from their armchairs,I was a member once but they have lost their way,,gone too political,dont want to make waves any more,,dave

[ Greenpeace web editor Andrew replies: If you bothered to read the weblog before posting a comment you'd realize they are in fact in the southern ocean.

Personally, I am in Amsterdam. My chair is very comfy. I've been sitting in it for about 12 hours per day working on the whales campaign for the past weeks.

How's your chair? Comfy? Good. Then please help, don't hate:
whales.greenpeace.org ]

I agree with both groups.

My family supports Greenpeace with monthly donations, and I myself support SeaShepherd with monthly donations. Our car has both greenpeace and a sshepherd stickers.

But these arguments here are going back and forth. I can't agree with GP's position to completely shun SS, I would do differently, but it's obvious nothing will change in this subject, so let me change it:

Where is the Nisshin MAru NOW? It was on fire recently, but I haven't heard anything else. Is the Esperanza still following the fleet? Are they going to stop for this season?

Max M. Fuhlendorf,
São Paulo-Brazil

You know, the jury is still out on if the Robert Hunter rammed the Kaiko Maru or vice versa. Based on the video posted on the ICR website, as a boater, it appears to me by the Robert Hunter's wake, that the Kaiko Maru suddenly turned starboard causing the collision. This would be in line with Capt. Watson's version and Sea Shepherd's philosophy to never endanger human life. The Robert Hunter was mirroring the Kaiko Maru, and trying to stay between the Japanese ship and the whales.

Dave on the Esperanza: Be that as it may Keith, but without taking sides here (I'm not), under the rules of navigation, you don not overtake on the port side, as the Robert Hunter was doing. If, for instance, the Kaiko Maru had to avoid some ice, it was within its rights to turn to port to avoid it, and the Robert Hunter was then obliged to also turn to port to avoid the Kaiko Maru. On one hand, Sea Shepherd had just announced in the media that they planned to give the Nisshin Maru a "steel enema" - so that had been threatening to ram. On the other hand, it's altogether possible that the Kaiki Maru intentionally turned to port to hit the Robert Hunter. The ICR's footage, from the deck of the Kaiko Maru is fairly ambigious in this regard.

I'm with you all the way, Greenpeace! I have complete faith in you guys & KNOW you're doing the right thing! You are doing the best you can. I just wish people would realize that these things take time, especially when you're sailing in that part of the world, trying to catch up with the whalers. I even find it ridiculous that people are questioning Greenpeace's methods & what they have accomplished! My faith in you grew even stronger when I was lucky enough to be on the Arctic Sunrise for the Clean Energy Now 2005 tour of the eastern coast of the US. Every person I met on that ship touched me deeply-I view you all as heroes!

Everything must be accomplished PEACEFULLY! Violence will just make matters worse-that is why I do NOT support the Sea Shepherd. To me, it is very immature to commit a violent act, such as ramming a ship. Sure, we all get angry & want to slap the offending person-but what good will it really do? It just shows that you cannot handle yourself responsibly & respectfully if you DO slap them. "Respect" should not be earned through violence.

Greenpeace, don't let these nay-sayers get you down! Know that you are doing what is right in the right way. You go by Gandhi's principles-look what he accomplished...how can people lose faith in you (& in essence, Gandhi) after all the good you all have done?