http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200705/r145251_508055.jpg

This brings tears to my eyes and pain to my heart.....

It is so sad and frustrating!

I found the above photo online. This is the Nisshin Maru's lame attempt at getting back at Greenpeace.

REPLY:

This year the sign was replaced by a new one, that included the IWC logo. Considering that the IWC has called upon the Japanese government to END their lethal research in the Southern Ocean, it is a bit strange!

I'm sorry Irene, because I understand how particularly painful it must be for you. Such effort and such hard work. But you and your mates are having a tremendous impact, and you are saving the whales, even if it does not happen for all of them immediately. Stay focused on that.

REPLY:

Thank you Mike. If we all just keep our eye on the ball, perhaps there will be no more whaling expeditions to the Southern Ocean. /Iréne

Dear Irene and Rob,

The Japanese Whalers have started whaling again and given the fact that you have pulled out and not to refuel and return, more Minkes and Fins are to die. What are you feelings ? It is easy to say non- violence is working and if it is your brothers or sisters who are dying in war, do you think you can just say Peace is coming soon if we continue our non- violence program and keep your arms crossed ? You can always save the great sea giants if you return to the Southern Ocean when you have all the resources on hand and refueling is so easy ? If Greenpeace continue to act in such a way just doing things diplomatically or politically correct, you are beating your own purpose in the first place and you are losing the support of the most dedicated supporters and you can count me as one of them.....Hope you can think seriously about it and try to return to the Ross Sea as soon as possible.

Regards,

Sam

REPLY:

I suggest you read some more posts on this blog, or at least just read this one a little more carefully. Nothing in this is EASY! What do you think we've been doing in the Southern Ocean - worked on our tans? We're not even back in port yet, please spare us your "support". And if you want to take this discussion further, do so in the forum.
/Iréne

Hello Irene and all who have worked so hard on the Esperanza. Your work is always greatly appreciated because you are there doing what many of us think we would like to do but make excuses not to, because we're too afraid, too comfortable sitting in our warm homes, too bogged down by other things that actually don't really matter. Doing things diplomatically and politically correct is the ONLY way forward, because violence only leads to more violence, and already too much blood has been shed, by humans and animals alike, in order to achieve peace. What I don't understand is why there isn't more pressure from the international community to demand to see the results of the so called 'scientific research' that the Japanese claim to be doing with the whales. Surely if they cannot produce concrete evidence of their research results from this mindless killing, then we can stop them?

I think that whaling has gone far enough!!!!!!!!!!
What right have we got to kill these beautiful creatures!
This message is sent just to say that it is not enough just to sit and wish things will change. It is up to us to change it!!!!!!!! Don't just sit bac and let it happen! Do something about before it's to late!

The Oceanic Viking seems to have not done anything to try and stop the 5 whales from being killed .
i am sad and upset like a lot of others .

Dear Irene,

It is pretty obvious that nothing down there is easy and you are all to be congratulated on the effort so far, but I think Sam and others are right in many ways.

For example some would see trying to stop refuelling as a violent act yet you consider it non violent.

The Japanese whalers obviously think it is violent as they react with their hoses. So how can this be seen as a non violent confrontation. I for one support these actions, but don't pretend it is something that it isn't. Japan has officially complained about it so there is no doubt in their mind.

I therefore don't think you should take the high moral ground when it comes to say the actions of Sea Shepherd. Share your resources and don't let petty old squabbles get in the road of the main game which is simply - to stop illegal commercial whaling.

From what I have gleaned you have the resources, a lot of committment and massive support.

Why not refuel and get back there? You are needed!

Regards,

Bill

I hope you focus funds on other ways of ending whaling. Sending ships to the Antarctic doesn't seem to change much... especially with Sea Shepherd there undermining everything you do. Greenpeace should try something different and original, otherwise it'll just be more of the same next year, more whales killed.

i just want to say thank you for bringing so much attention to this cause. i know it is a difficult battle, and it must be heartbreaking to leave the southern ocean, but i do believe that someday soon commercial whaling will cease for good. there is no need for this in our world today. the fact that japan is publicly talking about it is progress. i have faith that the good citizens of japan will reject whaling and put pressure on their government to stop this ridiculous 'scientific' charade.

thank you again.

Hi there.. what types of whales are they after? Just any that they come across?

Dear Irene,
You are all doing a wonderful job and it's really appreciated by so many of us. I can hardly bear to see the whales being killed on televison and become extremely upset by it. I've been thinking of starting an email campaign to boycott Japanese made goods thinking that this could make a difference but don't know how to go about it. Perhaps I'm naive but I don't know what else to do and feel I should be doing something to help. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Although today's news are bad, you made something move. They will have to stop this nonsense massacre in the end. Let's hope this moment comes soon.
You did a great job,Thank you!

All citizens of the world must stop purchasing "Made in Japan" products. That includes cars, trucks, cameras and foodstuffs. Consumer choice is the action to be taken when all else fails. It will be effective if we all reject Japanese products. Spreading the words to work mates, family and friends will quickly gain support for this option. The option of using " consumer choice" will be a very powerful tool to force change in political attitudes on all environmental issues. A new approach to solving environmental issues is urgently needed, in order to force governments to make the necessary policy changes to save the species of this planet earth. Lets start with the whaling issue now.

Oh no.. this is sad news indeed.
All the more reason for everyone reading this blog, who believes that this is wrong to get behind Greenpeace 100%..
Let's stop giving the crew grief and wasting their time and instead focus our energies on doing what we can do to HELP.. Send those letters to Canon, Raise the dollars needed (see Facebook challenge/ whale defenders webpage etc etc), Spread awareness etc.. Time to end this craziness for once and for all, and those 40 people out there at sea can't do it on their own.

Keep the faith Irene et al!

x
Jenni

Eh HELLO Timmy?

May I draw your attention to: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/news/canon-shooting-whales-240108

and perhaps..

http://weblog.greenpeace.org/whales/2008/01/voices_from_japan.html#more

And personally, I think that directly saving upwards of 100 whales from being killed during the two weeks they pursued the Nisshin Maru, and also playing a significant role in saving 50 endangered humpbacks from being included in this year's hunt, does NOT amount to not changing much.

Greenpeace ARE having an affect and are changing attitudes (especially, and critically, from inside Japan) but change takes time and will not happen overnight.
Sorry I am sure you mean well but c'mon fair's fair. We ALL want an end to whaling, maybe at a time like this it would be a bit more constructive to lend support to the people who are working their butts off to make it happen, than to level ill-informed criticism?

Jenni

Hi Irene and the rest of the crew,

I actually did burst into tears last night when I heard that 5 whales had been killed.

In fact walking my youngest son to school this morning that is all we talked about.

I think the issue does have to be raised on the streets in Japan now. The more the general Japanese public is aware of this so called research and the money wasted, the better.

Iréne,

Of course it is horrible that there are whales to be killed once more, after a break of more than two weeks. I understand your feelings there on the Esperanza, and I hope you don't give up.
But you have to look at the bright side of the story: Whaling has been stopped for two entire weeks, and many, many whales have been saved. Secondly, there has NEVER BEFORE been such a worldwide attention for whaling in the Southern Ocean, and in Japan there is talked more about this matter than about anything else. Thanks to you the whole world is moving, and Japan is to explain it's behaviour! You've done great!

It was no good news to read to day. In my point of view you did a much better job down there than the Sea shepherds and the Oceanic Viking have done. I was afraid this would happen when you had to go to port and refuel etc...
I believe that the Oceanic Viking will only be down there observing and not trying to stop. It would be very troublesome for Australia if they try to stop as you did, I guess.
I understand that it is very expensive to refuel and then go back down there trying to find the fleet again. But I do wish that it would be possible for you to do that.
Thank you for your great work.

Hi Sam, ...Bill,

Bill:
Peace will never come, until we act in peace, ...like get out of Iraq and start making friends instead of enemies. You should as Iréne says, read what's already been said about this, ...that it is logistically impossible. The truth is, they were quite lucky to find the fleet so quickly. And it's only a hunch, ...but who knows, maybe God was on their side.

Bill:
There is one basic difference in your concept of a violent or a non violent act. Greenpeace's heroes put their own lives at risk, ...if at all. They were not the aggressors of violence. There is a significant difference between blocking and putting yourself between something, and initiating a physical attack, ...which is the first step of violence. They caused no physical threat to any of the Japanese whalers. Greenpeace are never the aggressors or the instigators of violent confrontation, ...but those that come with real Love and courage in their hearts. And no matter how aggressively and cruely they are treated, they stand strong with the Love they feel and believe in, and they will never reduce themselves to being a part that eternal darkness. That's real Love and courage, and this is exactly what this world needs to see and to act on. The people on the Esperanza, and in offices worldwide, have reached out and touched the hearts of millions in Japan, and they are speaking out. You might say this is a historic moment, a moment of choice, ...aggressive violence, or forging permanent friendships with Loving, responsible, and permanent solutions.

hello Irene

im 16 years old,and after reading that the japanese had killed yet another 5 whales for "research" it made me think, what kind of world do we live in. Humans believe that everything in nature has been put there for them to use and abuse. it makes me angry beyond words to see what poeple have done to our unique planet. we are the only species that could actually create our own extinction, and perhaps we are the only one with reason to do it. but then again i think of all the wonderful people in our world such as yourself and the rest of the team and it gives me some hope in man kind. you are the true hereos of this world. the only hereos we hear about in our world are batman, superman and soilders involved in war. batman is fictional and soilders are no such kind of hero, violence achieves nothing. maybe the political leaders of this world should stop murdering each others civillians and put their funding and attention to a worth while cause, restoring our earths biosphere, minus the million or so species we have made extinct.

wow Lauren, and stagger me back, ...you rock!!! You made my day today, and sent this old man's spirit soaring. You must have a wonderful mom and dad to have such a grateful child as you. Don't ever let go of this Love you feel inside Lauren. If only I had your vision when I was your age...

Not to be rude or anything i think its great you guys went down to the southern ocean year after year to stop whaling however i believe greenpeace should refuell and headback since you have the profits to do so. Sea shepherd are in debt and they are planning to return. Not only that but its funny how greenpeace wont cooperate with sea shepherd because they are a "violent" org yet they have never injured or killed anyone through their tactics.Unlike sea shepherd green peace also doesnt seem to focus on whaling around the world or the dolphin slaughter in Taiji.
That being said i dont dislike greenpeace they are a good org i just believe they should cooperate more with sea shepherd.

The whaling season is far from over for this year. The Japanese still have plenty of time to kill all the whales you claimed to have saved during your two weeks spent there. Their quota will still be filled this year if the pressure is not kept up to stop them. Leaving now is quiting before the job is done. I urge you to refuel and return. Then perhaps some whales will have a chance to live longer than a few extra weeks. As long as Japan is there without any intervention whales will die.

hey guys - it may feel like one step back to hear more whales have been killed - but having watched the media coverage this year I am in no doubt that you have taken the world several steps forward this season. well done.
ps. the cam looks like hobart, ironic that it used to be a big whaling port, but these days serves more antartic research ships and anti-whaling ships... welcome.

Hi Maria,

Does Sea Shepherd do anything about the North Pacific 'scientific' hunt, the Dall's porpoise slaughter, the Baird's beaked whale hunt, the traditional hunts in Lamalera?

Environmental organisations usually can't be all things to all people or offer assistance to every environmental issue in the planet. Financial and material resources are finite, and there are many issues that need attention. Once the Esperanza leaves Australia she will be on another busy schedule helping to raise awareness of something just as worthwhile as the whaling issue. Meanwhile efforts to halt the Southern Ocean killing will continue, but in places like Japan, not Antarctica.

What I find annoying is the chest thumping from Sea Shepherd regarding their efforts in the Southern Ocean. Much of what has happened with stalling the hunt is attributable to Greenpeace. The fact Sea Shepherd is returning to the killing grounds is great news, and gives us all hope, but don't give credit where it is not due.I doubt very much that Sea Shepherd focuses on every cetacean kill from large-scale to traditional. Are they helping the next small cetacean to become extinct, the Vacquita?

Jenni,

My criticism is not ill-informed, I can think just as cleverly as you can. I agree what has been said by Greenpeace about taking this debate to Japan. Sending ships down to the Antarctic each year does not help after you've done it a few times. But Japan is killing whales again now that Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd are gone. Confrontation can bring attention to an issue, but I feel what is important then is to capitilise on the attention. If we are to stop whales being killed, the way to do it is to stop the boats from leaving Japan in the first place. That requires a policy change. These sorts of confrontational activities aren't going to bring about a policy change, they are just going to make the Japanese government think of new ways to minimise the impact. I think pouring the same amount of funds that went into the boat chase this year into a campaign within Japan is a more realistic way of getting the boats stopped from leaving. That is how we can save all the whales.

hi there
im new to this site but i joined up cause it makes me sick to watch whales being hunted,and for what? I would love to help and go out there.The japanese dont plan on stopping,and i wont be surprised if humans wipe ourselves of this planet soon,millions of animals have already being extinct because of humans,do we just not get it,i say keep fighting cause if yous stop then who will defend them.

Hi and welcome to Hobart!
I was fortunate and able to watch you sail in last night. It was a wonderful moment when the crowd on the wharf gave three very hearty cheers for you on the Esperanza, I know I yelled at the top of my lungs!
So I just wanted to say how proud you should be of the efforts that you have put in, it is such a shame you had to leave the Southern Ocean and I wish that you could get back there in time to have further impact.
Well done for all you have done on our behalf and that of future generations.
Defenders of the Ocean indeed.
More power to you, crew of the Esperanza.