They are using the excuse that it is under the umbrella of scientific research. This BBC report suggests the number 50 for the current target, but I heard one of the "scientists" defend the project in a radio interview and quote 1000 as the minimum target on the basis that no meaningful data can be collected from a lower number of subjects.

Thankfully the Aussies are watching the whole thing closely:
BBC NEWS | World | Asia-Pacific | Japan drops humpback whale hunt

The protest has gathered momentum...now that they know the world is onto them, they're starting to back off, but that means nothing in the long term.

This has me really angry We have whales on occasion wander up the river. I admit I wasn't too bothered about "Save the Whales"... before I had the pleasure of meeting one, I didn't really get what the fuss is about.

This whale came so close into shore you could look into its big, soft, gentle eyes and it looked back into yours, it was curious and benign and lovely...the swishing noises he made as he dived and raised his big head were just magical...I suppose it helped that the river was like glass and it was a beautiful day but this animal had a very warm presence you could feel, like recognition of something very old and very precious, difficult to communicate it.

It is just wrong to harm them, they harm nothing else in the world.

Whales used to be an important resource. They provided oil, meat, bone, all sorts of things. But whales no longer provide those things. They provide nonessential luxuries for a market small enough that we can rely on beached whales instead. There's no point in hunting whales anymore.

Arm the torpedoes!

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An' it harm none, do as ye' will.


Never argue with an idiot. He'll just drag you down to his level of intelligence and beat you with experience.

Greenpeace are there doing their thing. It looks as if this time there is backing and political will; the Japanese have supposedly backed off.

I don't buy into all that New Age hippy-dippy crap, but there's no need for it anymore.

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An' it harm none, do as ye' will.


Never argue with an idiot. He'll just drag you down to his level of intelligence and beat you with experience.

Viv: The new way to get around the law for the Japanese is that they "accidentally" catch whales in fishing nets intended for other tuna or other fish. They have to declare each one they accidentally catch and the official number has not matched a follow up investigation as to how many whales ended up in the sea food industry. The net tactic is also a way to get around Greenpeace getting their photo opportunity positioning their boat between the harpoon cannon and the whale. That already happened in the world news and it caused a huge backlash against Japan.

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National Debt =

Greenpeace has come a long way from hippy dippy. It is a serious organization and hugely important to world conservation. Without their information, countries like Japan would be doing just whatever they like and no one would know the difference.

They call every country to account regardless of politics and risk their own lives to do so. There is a nuclear base across the river from where I live, I have seen Greenpeace swim into it to protest...in conditions which can easily kill. Here's a link to their protest last February. I remember that day, the weather doesn't look too bad here but it was ferocious. There's a video to the right of the story in the link, if you want to see some idea of what they did:

BBC NEWS | Scotland | Glasgow and West | Faslane blockade ship is seized

Also, I don't know if you are aware of the sabotage of the Rainbow Warrior and the murder of one Greenpeace member by the French government...BBC ON THIS DAY | 10 | 1985: Rainbow Warrior sinks after explosion

Mike, they will do what they can to thwart Greenpeace, but that is not an easy crowd to outfox...they have seen it all and go to any lengths to get the goods on the "outlaw" countries. It always amazes me how accurate their information is...they turn up here and you assume it's a random visit. Pick up the paper next day and they're headlining, having anticipated some relevant activity which the locals had no knowledge of...their sources seem totally sound and their approach highly intelligent and well-planned.

The Japanese are assholes. What's new? Their marine fishing industry wants to make a profit off of people, so they really don't let things like ethics get in their way. They are no different from American corporations in that regard. Only their country doesn't really give a ****.

This is really no different from those people who insist on going into the wilderness and killing tigers so they can put their paws on a plat for rich people.

Absolutely. This time they have been made to care by the outcry, but they will carry on regardless unless carefully scrutinized. That is why Greenpeace is so important.

Greenpeace is one of the biggest, most hypocritical piece of crap organizations we have today. However, they actually did something right for once, even if not for the right reasons. Even if whale products were still necessary, they'd have been out there anyway. I only think we shouldn't whale anymore because it's entirely unnecessary and wasteful, so there's no reason to kill innocent whales. If there were need, then I'd be the next Ahab.

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Now then, Jesus, I have let you away with many unsubstantiated comments in the past, but I insist you provide evidence to back this one, or retract it. I know as a gentleman you will do so.

Hopefully should that need arise, Moby Dick awaits...