RichKirby
Contributor
I pulled this information from the latest issue of Underwater Photography magazine (www.uwpmag.com - free downloadable magazine viewable in Adobe Reader format):
Japans Killing Fleet
In December 2006 & January 2007, the Japanese whaling fleet will begin to illegally kill 1,000 whales in the Antarctic Whale Sanctuary. Fifty of these whales will be endangered humpbacks and another fifty will be endangered fin whales. Although the Japanese claim research as their
motivation, the only research they are undertaking is product development and marketing of whale meat to turn their illicit whale flesh into dog food, cosmetics, and sushi dishes for profit. The killing of these whales is a gross violation of numerous international treaties and regulations including the U.N. World Charter for Nature and the Antarctic Territorial Treaty commercial whaling is outlawed and it is illegal to hunt
endangered species in an international whale sanctuary. It is more important than ever that we act now. Photo Mark Votier
Operation Leviathan: The Plan
for 2006
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has embarked on Operation Leviathan: a campaign to raise funds for a new vessel to return to
Antarctica in December to defend the whales. In order for us to be
effective, we must have a ship that can match the speed of the Japanese
whaling fleet and enforce international conservation law. Our goal for this effort is $3 million to be raised in cash and pledges so that we can purchase a ship similar to the one pictured above. This is a huge undertaking for us considering our annual budget ($1. M) and our time constraints - but one that will meet with great success if we all participate.
We are more determined than ever to defend these whales which
deserve to live their lives wild and free. We believe that the heritage of
future generations should include the magnificent and intelligent whales
and that the delicately balanced ecosystems that we enjoy are preserved for future generations. The whales are counting on us for protection . . . We are counting on you to get us there.
www.seashepherd.org
Iceland Murders Its
First Endangered
Whale
I view the taking of a whales life in the same manner I would view the taking of a human life. It is murder, and it is a crime to slaughter such socially complex intelligent and sensitive sentient beings. The method of killing is torturous and grossly inhumane. We would never tolerate a domestic animal to suffer such a long and painful death. Every person who regards themselves as civilized must express their disgust and their revulsion against the whale killing atrocities of Iceland, Norway, the Faeroes, and Japan. These people who practice this horrific serial killing
of whales are the most barbarous representatives of humanity upon
this planet and cast shame upon their nations.
Captain Paul Watson
Founder and
President of Sea Shepherd
Iceland killed an endangered fin whale yesterday. This is the first illegal murder of a whale since Iceland announced their intention to violate the global moratorium on commercial whaling. The whale was swimming
happily along some two hundred miles off the coast of Iceland when
some Nordic nimrod cowardly slammed an exploding harpoon into
its backside. The whale struggled in incredible pain for a long time before losing strength and finally drowned after an agonizing period when it lungs
ruptured and its heart burst from the strain of oxygen deprivation.
There are some who will take offense at our use of the word murder. We make no apologies. Whales are highly intelligent, long lived, socially complex, sensitive sentient beings. It is a crime against nature and humanity to cruelly snuff out the life of even one of these great
creatures. What Iceland did is unforgivable and tragic, and leaves us with a deep resentment and anger towards Iceland. Sea Shepherd is calling for a total boycott of all Icelandic products and tourism to Iceland and the Society is already planning a campaign to confront Icelandic whale killers in Icelandic waters in 2007. We are recruiting crew and we are organizing a plan to go to Iceland and it will be a priority following our
campaign beginning December 1st to oppose the illegal whaling activities
of the Japanese whaling fleet in the Antarctic Whale Sanctuary.
www.seashepherd.org
I usually don't post stuff like this, preferring to act on such things myself when I feel strongly enough. Since this board is focused on divers (who seem to usually be more concerned about underwater life and the health of its creatures), I thought I'd post it so those interested can take a look. Personally, I feel it is disgusting that certain nations still insist on allowing greed to outweigh the conservation of these important animals. Anyway, no preaching, just take a look if you're interested.
_________________
Rich
Will work to dive.
Japans Killing Fleet
In December 2006 & January 2007, the Japanese whaling fleet will begin to illegally kill 1,000 whales in the Antarctic Whale Sanctuary. Fifty of these whales will be endangered humpbacks and another fifty will be endangered fin whales. Although the Japanese claim research as their
motivation, the only research they are undertaking is product development and marketing of whale meat to turn their illicit whale flesh into dog food, cosmetics, and sushi dishes for profit. The killing of these whales is a gross violation of numerous international treaties and regulations including the U.N. World Charter for Nature and the Antarctic Territorial Treaty commercial whaling is outlawed and it is illegal to hunt
endangered species in an international whale sanctuary. It is more important than ever that we act now. Photo Mark Votier
Operation Leviathan: The Plan
for 2006
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has embarked on Operation Leviathan: a campaign to raise funds for a new vessel to return to
Antarctica in December to defend the whales. In order for us to be
effective, we must have a ship that can match the speed of the Japanese
whaling fleet and enforce international conservation law. Our goal for this effort is $3 million to be raised in cash and pledges so that we can purchase a ship similar to the one pictured above. This is a huge undertaking for us considering our annual budget ($1. M) and our time constraints - but one that will meet with great success if we all participate.
We are more determined than ever to defend these whales which
deserve to live their lives wild and free. We believe that the heritage of
future generations should include the magnificent and intelligent whales
and that the delicately balanced ecosystems that we enjoy are preserved for future generations. The whales are counting on us for protection . . . We are counting on you to get us there.
www.seashepherd.org
Iceland Murders Its
First Endangered
Whale
I view the taking of a whales life in the same manner I would view the taking of a human life. It is murder, and it is a crime to slaughter such socially complex intelligent and sensitive sentient beings. The method of killing is torturous and grossly inhumane. We would never tolerate a domestic animal to suffer such a long and painful death. Every person who regards themselves as civilized must express their disgust and their revulsion against the whale killing atrocities of Iceland, Norway, the Faeroes, and Japan. These people who practice this horrific serial killing
of whales are the most barbarous representatives of humanity upon
this planet and cast shame upon their nations.
Captain Paul Watson
Founder and
President of Sea Shepherd
Iceland killed an endangered fin whale yesterday. This is the first illegal murder of a whale since Iceland announced their intention to violate the global moratorium on commercial whaling. The whale was swimming
happily along some two hundred miles off the coast of Iceland when
some Nordic nimrod cowardly slammed an exploding harpoon into
its backside. The whale struggled in incredible pain for a long time before losing strength and finally drowned after an agonizing period when it lungs
ruptured and its heart burst from the strain of oxygen deprivation.
There are some who will take offense at our use of the word murder. We make no apologies. Whales are highly intelligent, long lived, socially complex, sensitive sentient beings. It is a crime against nature and humanity to cruelly snuff out the life of even one of these great
creatures. What Iceland did is unforgivable and tragic, and leaves us with a deep resentment and anger towards Iceland. Sea Shepherd is calling for a total boycott of all Icelandic products and tourism to Iceland and the Society is already planning a campaign to confront Icelandic whale killers in Icelandic waters in 2007. We are recruiting crew and we are organizing a plan to go to Iceland and it will be a priority following our
campaign beginning December 1st to oppose the illegal whaling activities
of the Japanese whaling fleet in the Antarctic Whale Sanctuary.
www.seashepherd.org
I usually don't post stuff like this, preferring to act on such things myself when I feel strongly enough. Since this board is focused on divers (who seem to usually be more concerned about underwater life and the health of its creatures), I thought I'd post it so those interested can take a look. Personally, I feel it is disgusting that certain nations still insist on allowing greed to outweigh the conservation of these important animals. Anyway, no preaching, just take a look if you're interested.
_________________
Rich
Will work to dive.
