Japanese whaling ship sets off for Antarctic hunt - Guardian

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

Japanese whaling ship sets off for Antarctic hunt
Nisshin Maru leaves Japanese port in secrecy, while Australia
challenges its claims of hunting for research by offering non-
lethal methods of investigating whale behaviour

Justin McCurry
guardian.co.uk, Monday November 17 2008 11.44 GMT

The biggest ship in Japan's whaling fleet slipped out of port
amid tight security today, as Australia mounted an unprecedented
challenge to its claims that its annual culls in the Antarctic
constitute vital scientific research.

The Nisshin Maru, which processes harpooned whales, left
Innoshima port in western Japan this afternoon, according to
Greenpeace. Japanese officials refused to confirm the report,
citing security concerns.

It was not clear when the Nisshin Maru would be joined by the rest
of the fleet; last year it was accompanied by two spotter boats,
three harpoon vessels and a refuelling ship. Unconfirmed reports
said the other vessels would leave from a different port later
this month.

The fleet plans to take 935 minke whales and 50 fin whales during
its Antarctic hunt, but last week bowed to pressure from the US
and agreed not to kill humpback whales – an endangered species –
for the second year running.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/nov/17/whaling-fishing

[flvegan]

1. ...and Sea Shepherd departs next week to stop them.

I know who I'm rooting for.

[Glorfindel]

2. Repulsive, murdering swine. I wish the whales could harpoon them.

Actually, that's an insult to swine everywhere. I should have said assholes. :puke:

[Nihil]

3. 935 minke whales + 50 fin whales and they call it "research"?!

I hope that slaughter ship sinks just off the Japanese coast
so not only do the whales survive but the ensuing pollution
flows back to the "researchers" and their supporters.

I also hope that it happens at night in bad conditions so
that the scum on board get to feel "the mercy of the sea".

:grr: