Be calm, NZ tells whaling protesters

January 19 2007 at 11:49AM

Wellington - New Zealand Conservation Minister Chris Carter appealed on Friday for restraint as protesters prepared to challenge the Japanese whaling fleet in the Southern Ocean.

Japan plans to kill up to 935 Antarctic minke whales and 10 endangered fin whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary over the next few months during its 2007 so-called scientific whaling programme.

Carter said he was worried about the possibility of violence as the international environmental organization Greenpeace and Paul Watson, the radical president and founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, try to stop the Japanese whalers.

He said comments made by Watson about "battle modifications made to his ships" indicated that he was intent on having a violent confrontation with the Japanese whaling fleet.

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Carter also called on the Japanese to use restraint, saying the powerful water cannons they used against protest boats last year put lives at risk.

He said the Antarctic was one of the most dangerous and isolated places on the planet and the capacity for search and rescue operations in the region was very limited.

"I urge all parties to refrain from any acts that may be a risk to human life," Carter said.

"The best way of solving this issue would be for Japan to abandon whaling and join other nations in respecting and conserving marine species that could be facing extinction."-Sapa-dpa

"The best way of solving this issue would be for Japan to abandon whaling and join other nations in respecting and conserving marine species that could be facing extinction."

This is exactly what I doubt that it will happen. Japan has just increased the number of whales they will shoot and they bribe more countries every year to support them.

The Japanese (and other) whaling fleets use most dangerous methods and violence against protesters. Hence they do well, making "battle modifications" to their ships. Someone has to stop this cruelty, no matter what it takes !!

Original von Carsten

"The best way of solving this issue would be for Japan to abandon whaling and join other nations in respecting and conserving marine species that could be facing extinction."

This is exactly what I doubt that it will happen. Japan has just increased the number of whales they will shoot and they bribe more countries every year to support them.

The Japanese (and other) whaling fleets use most dangerous methods and violence against protesters. Hence they do well, making "battle modifications" to their ships. Someone has to stop this cruelty, no matter what it takes !!

you are absolutely right!
when diving the south pacific you alsways run into japanes divers and we always confront them with their "country's" attitude towards whaling. some of them are also furious but mostly they just don't care!
it's so frustrating to know that there must be done something but thinking of all the wildlife cruelty around the globe one feels like fighting wind mills

From Greenpeace.org

Auckland, New Zealand — 9 January 2007 - The sun wasn't shining, but there were smiles all round as about 60 people stood on Princes Wharf to welcome our ship, the Esperanza. The ship is in New Zealand for two weeks and will be open to the public during her visit.
It is the first time the Esperanza has visited New Zealand. She will be preparing for her voyage to the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary to stop whaling.

During her global expedition the Esperanza has confronted pirate fishers off the coast of West Africa, promoted marine reserves and threats to the coastal marine systems in the Atlantic, the Red Sea and the coastlines of India, and highlighted the overfishing of tuna in both the Mediterranean and the Pacific.

Last whaling season the Greenpeace crew stopped many whales from being killed in the Antarctic. This year they will be carrying out activities designed by supporters who have posted their ideas on [URL=http://whales.greenpeace.org]http://whales.greenpeace.org[/URL] .

This year, the Japanese Fisheries Agency plans to hunt 945 whales - 935 minke whales and 10 endangered fin whales - and the Esperanza will be there to stop them.

Open days for the public

Before they set sail, we are opening the ship for two weekends of public open days. If you happen to be in the area, come on down and meet some of the New Zealand staff and the crew, have a look around Greenpeace's newest ship - at 72m long with a heli-deck and room for 33 crew, she's pretty impressive - and find out about where the Esperanza is heading.

Where: Princes Wharf, Auckland (behind the Maritime Museum)

Dates: Weekends of the 13 & 14 and 20 & 21 January 2007

Time: 10am - 4pm

Entry is free. Your koha/donation is appreciated and will help our voyage.

And if you can't be there in person, keep checking the [URL=http://weblog.greenpeace.org/oceandefenders/]Esperanza's weblog[/URL] for a behind-the-scenes look at life on board.