 |
| Photo credit: Ari S. Friedlaender/Oregon State University |
I rejoiced at this news, but deep down, I felt uneasy.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ), demanded Japan cease its whaling program "with immediate effect" as it didn't comply with the country's obligations under the international whaling convention.
Japan stated that it was "deeply disappointed" that the UN's top court ruled in favour of Australia by declaring its Southern Ocean whale hunt illegal, but nevertheless insisted it would abide by the decision.
However my heart is heavy. I find it hard to comprehend in the light of the not altogether surprising, but still depressing, confirmation by Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, during his current visit to Australia and New Zealand, that Japan would continue its whaling program in the Southern Ocean.
The whaling wars down under will continue, as Japan navigates the loophole and structures a new research program, despite the ICJ ruling calling the previous Jarpa II research program “a sham”, and simply a guise for commercial whaling.
 |
| Photo credit: Ho New/Reuters |
Mr Abe said, “One of the objectives of the international convention for regulating whaling is indeed a sustainable use of resources. Based on this, Japan will engage in research of whaling in order to collect the indispensable scientific information in order to manage the whale resources”.
What the fuck?
Makes no sense.
The fact that the Australian Antarctic Territory is a declared and established sanctuary, seems of no consequence.
And, despite pre-election promises to the contrary, whaling was not on this political agenda, as Australia's Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, chose to avoid the "thorny issue".
Sea Shepherd founder, Captain Paul Watson has said, "I don't think Tony Abbott cares for the whales one bit."
Mr Abbott said this week, that the friendship between Japan and Australia was, "far, far bigger than our disagreement on one particular subject".
"Friends can disagree on subjects and that's in no way inconsistent with a strong and growing friendship."
What’s a few dead whales between friends, eh Tony?
Mr Abe said, "Our countries both love peace. We value freedom and democracy and we hold human rights and the rule of law dear," and called the relationship "special".
So, I suppose animals have no rights then, Mr Abe?
And, rules are meant to be bent or broken to suit.
I call bullshit on both of you.
It’s clearly obvious that trade agreements are far more important than the respect of conservationists worldwide.
Of course they are, what am I thinking?
Political power and economics rule.
The World Wildlife Fund has stated that the International Whaling Commission should reject any new proposal from Japan to resume whaling in the Southern Ocean Sanctuary near Antarctica.
In the meantime, it’s once again up to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, and its valiant, unfailing volunteers and supporters, to defend the whales, harass the whalers and ensure no money is made from the Japanese commercial whaling expeditions in the Southern Ocean.
"Scientific" or otherwise.
Because, "the tables are turned, they're the ones who are the criminals".
The world will be watching.
 |
| Photo credit: Isabel Ender |
Along with fighting the Western Australian government’s application to extend the shark drum line policy and continue the barbaric, controversial shark cull - which has been strongly opposed by hundreds of the world’s top marine scientists and researchers - Sea Shepherd continues to lead global campaigns to protect, defend and conserve the world’s oceans.
"We cannot live on this planet with a dead ocean. If our oceans die, we die."
~ Captain Paul Watson, Sea Shepherd
The
best kind of pirate… fierce defender of the oceans.
I make NO apologies for including some of these images. They are the truth in pictures. If they offend, click away. If they anger and inflame your sense of justice for what is happening in our oceans, please consider supporting Sea Shepherd – International or Australia.