Saturday November 29, 2008, 8:58 pm
Govt to monitor whaling
NZPA | Sunday November 30 2008 - 05:30pm
The Government is to send a New Zealand Air Force Orion to keep tabs on Japanese whalers this season.

On Thursday Greenpeace called on the Government to say how it intended to put pressure on Japan as the whalers will operate mainly in waters in which New Zealand has search and rescue obligations under international law.

Greenpeace is not sending a fleet to confront the whalers this year, but Sea Shepherd is sending its vessel the Steve Irwin.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully and Defence Minister Wayne Mapp issued a joint statement today urging parties to show restraint after clashes last season involving stink bombs, the detaining of activists and allegations that whalers fired live ammunition.

Dr Mapp said the Defence Force did not intend to station craft in the Ross Sea to monitor developments but there would be regular Orion surveillance flights.

Last season Australia sent a Customs ship to gather evidence as part of its threat to take Japan to the International Court of Justice. The Australian government has been criticised for not advancing that action or sending a vessel this year.

New Zealand was "firmly opposed" to the Japanese whaling programme and Mr McCully said he gave that message to Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone at the recent Apec summit in Peru.

"We are actively engaged in a diplomatic process including through the International Whaling Commission to try to find a resolution to the problem," Mr McCully said.

New Zealand had to co-ordinate responses to maritime incidents in the Ross Sea area and usually the nearest vessels were called on to help.

If whalers or protesters got into difficulty it could take a while to get help to them.

Searching in the isolated and treacherous Southern Ocean was difficult and rescue capability limited.

"We're urging all parties to refrain from any actions that may put their lives, or the lives of others at risk."

The whaling fleet left Japan earlier this month and is expected to focus its hunt for about 1000 whales in the Ross Sea.

In February 2007, the Japanese government asked New Zealand to help a crewman who fell gravely ill near the Ross Sea. A New Zealand rescue helicopter airlifted him to a hospital. Then Conservation Minister Chris Carter said New Zealand had a humanitarian obligation to help when a life was at risk.

In the same month, a Japanese whaling ship and Sea Shepherd's vessel collided twice in Antarctic waters.

Separately, two protesters were lost in sea mist and snow for several hours, and a Japanese whaler died in a fire aboard a whaling vessel. In the latter incident, the Japanese vessel declined an offer of assistance from a ship belonging to the environmental group Greenpeace.

Saturday November 29, 2008, 10:32 pm
thanks in the mirror.....

Monday December 1, 2008, 4:47 am
It's about freaking time.I heard before that they wouldn't send a heli

Monday December 1, 2008, 11:22 am
While McCully is engaged in diplomatic talks, the Japanese fleet is on their way - the mission - killing whales . Surveillance is the least New Zealand is offering at this time and only to rescue anyone who happens to become 'adrift' in the Southern Ocean.
Look everyone, being REAL is what this is all about. Captain Watson of the SSCS is risking everything to protect the whales from certain death from Japanese 'herdsmen' and 'killers' . Strong talk indeed for that is exactly what they are, check their track record if you are in any doubt.

" Mapp and McCully do not want things to get out of hand " > quote from
http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/new-zealand-air-force-to-monitor-japanese-whalers < I am just wondering what they expect will happen ... realistically speaking !

If the IWC seriously wants to save 1,000 + whales then the dialogue with Japan needs to find a solution and legislate a resolution A.S.A.P. otherwise, whale meat will soon find it's way to all the sushi bars in Japan!

Monday December 1, 2008, 3:12 pm
Well the Sea Shepherd's Steve Irwin will intervene. They have been quoted "when they are involved with us, they are not whaling." Go guys go!

Monday December 1, 2008, 3:20 pm
thanks in the mirror

Tuesday December 2, 2008, 7:16 am
well said rosemary r ~

Tuesday December 2, 2008, 5:29 pm
Thanks for the news, In A Mirror. I agree with Claudia - "about freakin' time". I dearly wish the Japanese were prevented from their murderous forays. In my opinion the scientific research charade is so cowardly.

Tuesday December 2, 2008, 9:30 pm
I don't understand - if is a loophole the Japanese are exploiting, why doesn't the IWC close the loophole? Am I just being naive?

Friday December 5, 2008, 11:36 am
Why doesn't anyone have the balls to just sink the damn whaling ships?

What a bunch of cowards. I am so sick and tired of diplomacy and international rules! I mean, japanese can brake international laws, don't even give a damn about anyone else and nothing happens to them - they are making fun of everyone - and countries all over the world, as the cowards they are, do nothing!
Why is that? Because japan is an economic power?

I wish I had the power and money to create an international organization which would really fight for the animals and for this planet!
Right now I respect animals much more than humans! So, to me this would mean war! And as in every wars there would be casualties! And I would be fine with that as long as my goals would be achieved - send a message to the companies that abuse animals and the planet - your days are coming to an end; either you change or we will put you out of business in any way we can!

Until there's such an organization we are all going to witness these kinds of things for a very long time!

I wish Nature could get even and just make humankind pay for all that we are doing to the planet!!!

Humans are a cursed plague...

Saturday December 6, 2008, 7:16 am
Agreed Cid M.

I Am Willing To Serve, It Shits Me Just typing On A Firkin Keyboard, God Willing I Get A Chance To Serve, My Friend Said He Could Picture Me With A Balaclava Giving Those Gutless Ankles Crap, Stink Bomb Right In The Nuts ...