50 whales are safe, but almost a thousand are still on the menu
Posted by Irene onboard the Esperanza
Bluff - far away from home!
©Greenpeace/Jiri Rezac
The Japanese government's decision not to kill 50 humpback whales this year is getting a lot of attention in the media, and the phone has been ringing off the hook onboard, which means Dave, Karli and Sara have been pretty busy. We have finally managed to send Sara off to bed for a couple of hours.
I sincerely hope that the announcement doesn't mean that pressure on the Japanese government will diminish! Mr Splashy Pants might be safe (this year). But 50 fin whales and 935 minke whales are still to be killed as part of a "science programme" that aims to overthrow the moratorium on commercial whaling.
Public pressure is one of the reasons the humpback whales are spared. Another important reason is that the Japanese government wants to reverse the process where the International Whaling Commission moves towards being more conservation-minded. Despite the fact that the Japanese government only added humpback whales to their catch this year, they will try and use the removal of the species as a bargaining chip.
Rumour still has it that the Japanese government will build a new whaling factory ship. This vessel would not come cheap, and if they build the ship it is because they intend to use it. For many years.
The entire hunt must be called off and a public statement made that there are no plans to build any more whaling ships.
Please act now: send a letter to the Japanese Prime minister >>
I was one of the last people onboard to hear the news about the humpback whales last night, despite that Dave had tried to page me. I was busy in the wet room, had ear protection on and a loud machine running. We drew names out of a cup and I am supposed to make a Christmas gift for a fellow crewmember you see. I might have exaggerated ambitions on this one, but at least we could get a good laugh out of the result. Half the crew seems to hassle our bosun Grant about a small hinge, a thin metal plate, a special kind of paint… I had better get back to it now, or it won't be ready in time.
As I write this the last bits of land we'll see for a while disappears at the horizon.
- Iréne
Comments
A spokesperson for prowhaling High North Alliance wrote this re Japan's cessation of the humpback hunt on an Australian blog:
"Certainly the humpback was a much appreciated gift to the antis. They must have been cheering. It was anticipated that AU and NZ would go nutter, no surprise.
I notice that the reactions to a possible humpback cessation is that it is not enough, Japan must stop everything.
When Japan chose to go ahead with the humpback, it will not serve their interests to cave in when the outcome would not only mean Japan does not achieve anything at all, but only makes matters worse.
Anyway it's their call, they opted for this path"
Posted by: Ann N | December 22, 2007 10:15 AM
I just want to tell you guys how much I admire you and applaud your efforts aboard the esparenza. You are the hope of thousands of us who feel so frustrated and futile back here in australia.Though I am pleased for the humpbacks I know it is just a back down for one species and one year and that there is a long fight ahead for all whales. Keep up the good work .
Posted by: Michelle | December 22, 2007 1:18 PM
If anyone out there hasn't done so already please sign the WDCS petition at
http://www.advocacyonline.net/eactivist/user/userC.jsp?15215&EXAMIN=1 and/or those at
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/help-skye-bortoli-save-the-whales and
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/948936229
Posted by: Ernie | December 22, 2007 1:26 PM
Hello all on the good ship Esmerelda, just wanted to say I'm thinking of you at Christmas and I miss you all! Will hopefully be in touch in the next few days, but keep up the good work xxx
Posted by: Adele | December 22, 2007 2:33 PM
Hi Irene, do you have any more information about who may build the new factory whaling ship? I have already signed a few petitions against the building of a new ship but i would like to also object directly to all the companies that may be thinking of getting involved in this. Thank you again for doing such a brilliant job.
Posted by: cath | December 22, 2007 5:27 PM
Hi all,
The humpback situation is a smokecreen not a backdown.
It just gives the look of reacting to the concerns at hand.
Don't be fooled into thinking they are being any thing other than the barbarians we have come to know. They are still doing just as they please.
Posted by: Bill Halka | December 22, 2007 10:44 PM