The Whale Killers are coming (please read)

[mickeyd]

Last night I attended an event on the Gold Coast organised by Sea Shepherds (http://www.seashepherd.org/), this is a direct intervention organisation that specialise in targetting the illegal destruction of many of our marine species, like whales, dolphins, sharks and baby fur seals.

The Japanese are within days away of recommencing the barbaric and illegal process of hunting our endangered whales, within Australian international waters and have put a special bounty on the carcass of 'Migaloo' (from the aborigine meaning for 'White Fella'), the white humpback whale, whose annual migration to the antarctic feeding grounds is followed enthusiastically by so many Australians. The Japanese whalers want this whale to serve on their dinners tables at a huge premium.

Kevin Rudd, made a commitment to Sea Shepherd a few weeks ago, that if he was elected then he would send the Australian Navy down to protect our whales, this is not the first election promise that should be broken.

I am sending this email today to raise awareness of the Sea Shepherd campaigns, the only way that they can continue to provide protection to marine species is through public donations, public awareness and pressure on the politicians and legislators. Have a look at their website. If you feel as passionately about this as I do then you can donate via their website or attend one of the events scheduled for today and tomorrow, details below:

Nov 27, 2007 – Griffith University Presentation with Captain Paul Watson, Gold Coast, Queensland

Captain Watson will give a lecture on marine conservation titled “How innovative action can save the oceans” at Griffith University. A short film on the 30 year history of Sea Shepherd will also be presented by International Director Jonny Vasic. A question and answer session will follow.

Where:
Lecture Theatre 2, Building G03,
Griffith University,
Parklands Drive,
Gold Coast, QLD

When:
1 PM- 3 PM

Contact:
Gold Coast Coordinator Terri Melloway at (07) 55-93-3631 or goldcoast@seashepherd.org

Nov 28, 2007 - "Drop in the Ocean" exhibit at Inverse Gallery, Gold Coast, Queensland

Join Captain Watson for a gallery fundraiser in support of Sea Shepherd’s next Antarctic Whale Defense Campaign: Operation Migaloo. Captain Watson will give a presentation after a short film on the 30 year history of Sea Shepherd. The “Drop in the Ocean” exhibit will include works by Ruthie Hofer, Shelli Bankier, Dave Rastovich, and more.

Where:
Inverse Gallery
James St - Shop C 21
Burliegh Heads, QLD

When:
6:30 PM- 10 PM


The Whale Killers Are On the Way
The Japanese "Death Star," the Nisshin Maru, the ship that intends to torture, kill and mutilate over 1,000 whales including 50 endangered humpbacks and 50 endangered fin whales has departed fromJapan and is heading southward towards the coast of Antarctica.

The departure ceremony was bizarre with family and friends waving and holding smiling whale balloons and signs as a brass band played "Popeye the Sailor Man" on the dock. It's all a big circus for those who inflict horrific pain and death upon some of the world's most beloved and gentle creatures. They not only kill without remorse, they flaunt their disrespect for the whales with images and music that trivialize these intelligent and socially complex beings.

The ship left the Japanese port of Shimonoseki on Sunday, November 18th. A Greenpeace ship waiting 12 miles off the coast to follow them south failed to notice the departure and lost the trail. The Greenpeace ship is presumably heading southward also. The Japanese fleet is scheduled to arrive off the coast of Antarctica in three weeks. Greenpeace has stated that they will not inform Sea Shepherd of Japanese coordinates despite the fact that Sea Shepherd provided Greenpeace with the coordinates for the Japanese fleet last season.

"We welcome their involvement and the more ships opposing the whalers, the better," said Sea Shepherd International Director Jonny Vasic, "but our effectiveness would be greatly improved with Greenpeace cooperation."

Apparently Greenpeace disapproves of Sea Shepherd's tactics of intervention despite the fact that Sea Shepherd has never caused a single injury in 30 years of operation or been convicted of a felony crime. Sea Shepherd founder Captain Paul Watson was a co-founder of the Greenpeace Foundation in 1972 and of Greenpeace International in 1979. All attempts by Captain Watson to work in cooperation with Greenpeace over the years have been rejected by the Greenpeace leadership.

The Sea Shepherd crew will depart from Melbourne the first week of December. Sea Shepherd is approximately 7 days from the Antarctic Whale Sanctuary.

"We need to find and intercept these vicious killers as soon as possible. Every day of searching will cost the lives of whales," said Captain Paul Watson. "I hope that New Zealand and Australia will begin to cooperate and let us know where the fleet is instead of simply continuing to posture with words not backed up with action. I hope that Greenpeace will understand that cooperation can save whales. The Japanese whaling fleet is an international criminal operation targeting highly endangered whales in a whale Sanctuary in violation of a global moratorium on whaling. They operate because they know that no other governments have the guts to oppose them."

The Sea Shepherd Antarctic crew is composed of international volunteers from Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Brazil, South Africa and France.

[photomike666]

Great post, particularly with your siggy!!!!

[Gosling1]

Great post, particularly with your siggy!!!!

I'll say - its a tad ironic eh ??

- all due respect to the whales, but Mickey, mate - if you are a meat-eater, let me tell you life in an abbatoir is not much fun for cows either !! torture, maiming and death..........its a daily occurence there........cows and pigs can't fight back either.

It makes about as much sense as global warming activists driving their cars to and from protests ! If they were serious, they would walk !!

I don't agree with killing whales either BTW, its crap to call it 'research' when we all know its fucking 'whale fishing'......and yes, whale numbers are limited, where cow numbers are not.

Its a very emotional topic for many people. If Greenpeace or Sea Shephard were even remotely serious, they would bomb the Nishin Maru, and sink the bastard, to stop the whaling. Simple as that.

[Neka79]

Great post, particularly with your siggy!!!!

I'll say - its a tad ironic eh ??

Its a very emotional topic for many people. If Greenpeace or Sea Shephard were even remotely serious, they would bomb the Nishin Maru, and sink the bastard, to stop the whaling. Simple as that.

would make for interesting viewing too!!

they could make a movie out of it..Leo could play the lead??