Hello Dave,

I'd like to ask, what are you going to save exactly?
Because, my guess is that you're just going to take footage and pictures of you in front of the whalers for advertisment, as usual.

Two years ago, the Japanese whaling fleet took 853 minkes and 10 fins eventhough you harassed them for weeks. So, let's be honest, you're not going to save any whales.

Other questions. How much money does cost your campaign, that is to follow the whaling fleet from Japan to Antarctica over weeks? How are you going to refuel?

I think that would be nice to allow people to know more about your operations since you are champions of transparency.

Thanks in advance ;)

Hi Isanatori,

Since you speak of transparency, we might as well get this out in the open here - your website is obviously pro-whaling - so it might "nice" if you mentioned that too, and maybe explained your "operations".

I don't have the figures on "how much money does cost" our campaign - but if you'd like to take a peek at our annual report, be my guest.

We campaign to stop whaling in the Southern Ocean because... we want to stop whaling in the Southern Ocean. We don’t campaign on anything just to make money, but we cannot campaign on anything if we don’t raise money. We don’t take money from institutions or governments or corporations, so we rely on our supporters in the same way that any other similar organisation does.

Despite your claim, we can and will stop individual whales being killed, and we can ensure that the Japanese whaling fleet’s activities are known to the world. This will help us create the political pressure we need to end whaling in the Southern Ocean.

I really really hope the bit about saving the humpbacks is true. All the whales are important, of couse, but I really hope it's tue anyway. Thanks for all the work you are doing, greenpeace! You give me hope. :)

Of course it would be impossible for Greenpeace to prevent ALL of the whales being slaughtered, however I am of the opinion that if it prevents the killing of ANY whales then it is doing an invaluable job.
I am happy to support their efforts.

I saw the whale rider movie,and Iam sending a donation to save the southern ocean.

Naff off Isantori. Not only are you pro-whaling, but you are pro the Rainbow Warrior being blown up in 1985. Go back to your whaling mates and their blogs and leave everyone in peace.

Hi Dave,

Thanks for your reply. I went through the 2006 annual report, but you're not really answering my question concerning this operation's cost and how you are going to refuel at sea, though.

As for my blog, well, it is pro-whaling. That doesn't mean that I cannot criticize the whalers. My goal is to write about what I know about whaling culture in Japan and also comment what is written in the media about the issue.

I'm doing this alone and don't get any money for it, if you want to know.

To Peter,

I'm not pro the Rainbow Warrior having been blown up and don't remember having said such a thing.
I think I'll continue to post comments here and debate when I feel like it. :)

Hi Isantori - the cost, I, imagine, is pretty complicated - it's part of a much larger project that involves the establishment of marine reserves and so forth. Off the top of my head, I don't have figures.

It's funny because some detractors claim that we protesting whaling to make money - while other claim we do it to waste money. Can't please everyone all of the time, I guess.

As for your refuelling question - we don't post tactically sensitive information like that on the internet, for obvious reasons. The whalers read our blog too, you know!

Thanks for clarifying your position re your blog - it does seem pretty confusing to people sometimes when one sees a website like yours, or like david@tokyo's - his in particular appears to be verbatim mouthpiece for the ICR.

yo Dave,

isanatori and I had a nice whale lunch together here in Tokyo some months ago. You guys sound like George W trying to make an enemy out of anyone who ain't your friend.

Good luck with your campaign. It hasn't worked after 2 decades, in fact with less US pressure on Japan these days, the hunt is larger than ever. Surely the next step is for Japan to go outright commercial whaling on IWC "managed" species as well, just like Iceland and Norway (who hardly ever get a mention here). So, keep it up.

Hi Dave,

Well, I don't think my position is too much confusing. To be honest, I am more interested in ancient Japanese whaling culture than the actual whaling problem. I found GP's "Whale-love wagon" was a good idea, but was a bit disappointed that the two reporters didn't go to places where whaling is still practiced like Wada or Taiji and try to talk with the people there. But I guess everybody is happy that there is no dialogue.
By the way, do you understand French?

As for David@Tokyo, I don't think is working for the ICR. I've met him once and dare to say he's a nice lad. What I can say is that he's pretty much passionate about the whaling issue. He may not share the same view as you on this, but I believe he's honest.

Hi Isantori - it looks like we're all going to get on then - I see no reason for animosity (I am, I think, a nice lad too!)

Aren't we having dialogue too? I know Junichi, for our Tokyo office, has repeatedly tried to get dialogue going with the FAJ etc. We're all about dialogue - and I'm all for open dialogue on the blogs and forums, so long as it's kept clean, non-personal and so on.

My French is a little rusty - I can usually get the gist of what I read, but am a bit vague on the subtleties. I drag in one of my more-fluent-in French colleagues when I need 'em.

Are you from France, btw?

David - I'm not trying to make enemies at all! You're the one making apparently snide statements (it's hard to tell tone on the oul interweb) like "Good luck with your campaign. It hasn't worked after 2 decades..."

Greenpeace has been campaigning on whaling issues since 1975 - that's 32 years. Since then we've had the IWC moratorium on commercial whaling, plus the cessation of whaling by several countries... the opening of the "scientific whaling" loophole by Japan.

I know we're not going to agree on this, so let's not get bogged down on details here. You don't agree with Greenpeace, and we don't agree with the FAJ and ICR.

Iceland saw the light earlier this year, following the change of government there - it was interesting to see that the new foreign minister distance herself from the agend of Iceland's commissioner at the IWC... during the IWC!

http://weblog.greenpeace.org/makingwaves/archives/2007/08/iceland_to_stop_whaling.html

Iceland's fisheries minister, Einar K. Guofinnsson was quoted by Reuters as saying

"The whaling industry, like any other industry, has to obey the market. If there is no profitability there is no foundation for resuming with the killing of whales".

Guofinnsson said he won't issue a new quota until the "market conditions for whale meat improve" and permission to export whale products to Japan is secured.

hey Isanatori hope you choke on your next whale burger.ancient whaling customs no such thing once again body guard of lies.truth is japan didnt have much food after the war and out of necesity hunted whales.Go do your home work little boy.

Jayrod - you're on a "warning" - this kind of abusive comment will not be tolerated on this blog by me, or by the blog boss, Irene.

The news article evokes rage aginst Japan's fisheries Agency--what i don't understand is how Greenpeace fails to channel that rage in the right direction. How many page hits today because of this news?.Where are people going --the poepl that want to help. Where's the email address to write to JFA - where's the link to donate to Greenpeace - sign up or DO SOMETHING?

Dave, I would like to suggest an approach your team may well have already thought about that may restrict and eventually halt all the whale slaughter being undertaken by Japan. I know its difficult to actually (physically) stop the Japanese whalers from catching whales, and it can be very dangerous getting in the way of loaded harpoons. I admire all of your courage. My idea is to actually poison the carcase as it is being retrieved to ensure that no edible whale meat ends up in Japan. Yes, its a little radical, but then I've never known a Greenpeace member who wasn't a little radical.

Cheers and good luck

From Dave: Thanks Steve for the good thoughts -but I don't see us poisoning the meat though - we wouldn't do anyhting that could potentially harm another human being.

I am very distressed about this whaling slaughter, and my two daughters keep asking me why!! Do whatever you can to stop this as we will be behind you praying for a miracle (maybe a Japanese ship mysteriously sinking)

From Dave: Well it is pretty senseless slaughter, Lisa. However, if you recall the situation with the Nisshin Maru back in February, the threat of a wrecked ship in the Antarctica would be devastating to the environment, and could result in loss of human life. We certainly don't want that scenario.

Good morning, Dave.

Thanks for your reply again.
However, I think you again eluded my comment on "Whale-love Wagon". I also remember one of the messages of this programme was "not to promote anti-Japanese feelings". I've seen a few comments calling for a boycott of Japanese products and also the word "bastards" used twice. :(

From Dave: Can you point me towards those comments - we try not to publish any obscene or racist comments - we don't tolerate them, but they may have slipped the net.

I'm no expert on the Whale Love Wagon, to be honest. And I'm not sure exactly what I eluded - you stated your opinion, I'm not sure what to respond to exactly.

To answer your question, yes, I am French. Where are you from?

From Dave: Ireland

As for Junichi Sato, I'd like to believe you when you say that he tried to open a dialogue with the FAJ. All I've seen of him is pre-formated declarations for the media.
I also regret there is no place for comments on his blog. If there are any fears of insults or bad comments left there, it could be managed the same your blog is...

Ok, as my Japanese is somewhere on the slim side of non-existant, I've not really looked at his blog. I'll convey your sentiments, however.

To Jayrod,

If you can find it in your nearest library, I recommend you "Japanese Whaling : End of an Era?" by Arne Kalland and Brian Moeran, 1992, Curzon Press.
It will tell you more about Japanese ancient whaling. ;)

Hello Dave. The whaling news is all over the web. I've heard about the whaling since I was a kid. I've always love the sea, and the lovely marine mammals. You guys are my heroes! I really want to send you guys a greeting card. Is that possible? What a pleasure to talk to someone that's actually onboard a ship!

Hi Andy - as we're on a ship, we can't get post! But if you send a card to the Esperanza Crew, Southern Ocean, c/o Greenpeace International
Ottho Heldringstraat 5
1066 AZ Amsterdam
The Netherlands

Hello Dave. The whaling news is all over the web. I've heard about the whaling since I was a kid. I've always love the sea, and the lovely marine mammals. You guys are my heroes! I really want to send you guys a greeting card. Is that possible? What a pleasure to talk to someone that's actually onboard a ship!

Greenpeace is not asking or directing us to boycott Japanaese products. It is us individuals who are tired of excuses and lies about Japan's whaling. Maybe once Japan feels the impact of the boycott the people will tell them to stop doing this. Greenpeace will find them and stop them and we have faith they will.

Ancient Japanese whaling culture didn't use modern air-powered harpoons and motorized, sonar enabled ships. Read Moby Dick and learn how whaling USED to be a noble, dangerous, and pretty amazing way of life. Now it's a pathetic slaughter of harmless, threatened animals just some you guys can get your cultural rocks off. Get over it. I'm no vegan or anything, I just think that threatened species should be helped and not killed. That's what proliferating and ranched/farmed animals are for. Your ancient culture argument is lost because it has zero connection to the ancient tradition. The tradition wasn't based solely on a dead whale; it was based on the accomplishment of killing a whale with pretty much your bare hands. Think about the spirit of a tradition and not the end. There's more to it than a dead whale, but not anymore.