The whaling fleet delays departure and hides in port
Posted by Iréne onboard the Esperanza
©Greenpeace/Jiri Rezac
The best thing would of course be if they decided to stay in port also after the meeting, and scrapped their hoax "research" program, as I am sure many Japanese taxpayers would agree. Unfortunately it is most probable that the whaling ships will cast their lines as soon as the political meeting is over, and head for the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. We intend to keep them company.
It's been 20 years now since the Japanese government decided to label their whaling "scientific". The decision to return to the whaling grounds in 1987 under the pretext of performing scientific research oddly coincided with the international ban on commercial whaling in 1986.
The result of this so called research is poor to say the least, but the meat is neatly packaged, frozen and delivered in Japan. Where it is stored in a big pile.
- 95% of the Japanese population never or rarely eat whale meat.
- More than two-thirds of the Japanese do not support whaling on the high seas.
- In 2006 Japan had close to 4,000 tons of unwanted whale meat from its "scientific" whaling programme in cold storage.
[June 2006 Independent opinion poll by Gallup affiliate Nippon Research Center]
I have asked around and tried to understand why the whaling continues, despite the fact that there is not even any real market for the meat. The explanations make my head spin, and I have not yet been able to put it in writing. I will have to get back to you on that one.
Phew - my first post on this expedition - it's always a bit scary. But here we go.
Stay tuned.
- Iréne
Comments
Bravo Greenpeace - my only concern is you need to have a better relationship with Sea Shepherd. There is no room for fractious thinking in the Green movement.
United we stand - divided we fall. Get on with the job and win it. Most Green supporters would support both groups. I do!
Posted by: bob | November 17, 2007 10:47 PM
I totally agree with bob, united you will be stronger. I saw the disgusting sight on the news of the Dolphins being lined up for slaughter, now it`s the turn of the whales. Good luck and thank you for being there.
Posted by: Sue | November 18, 2007 8:53 PM
The world should salute Greenpeace and the people on the Esperanza. Man has an obligation to save these great creatures and share the planet. The world is behind you. Keep up the good work and let justice prevail.
Posted by: Brian | November 19, 2007 12:10 AM
I AGREE WITH BRIANS COMMENTS. THE CREW OF THE ESPERANZA ARE HEROS.ALL OF YOU MAKE ME PROUD.GOOD LUCK !PEOPLE WHO DONT NORMALLY CARE ARE NOW WATCHING AND WISHING YOU WELL THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING IN OUR NAME.STAY SAFE.
Posted by: PAUL | November 20, 2007 2:24 PM
Greenpeace crew abroad the Esperanza. Please co-operate with Sea Shepboard's crew in tracking the Japanese whale killing fleet. The more boats out there making life difficult for the whale killers the better. Only direct action intervention by both Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd will attract the world's news media to this barbaric slaughter of these cruelly harpooned creatures. Thank you.
Posted by: Norma C | November 20, 2007 3:16 PM