Anti-whaling boat rammed

M.Gauci

Jan 8th 2010, 16:16

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C5pq73yhAs6

Just in case anybody thinks it was an accident.

Johnny Xerri

Jan 7th 2010, 19:12

I agree that if endangered their perusal should be stopped.
But, extremism in my book is just as bad.
How can anyone justify organizations that take the law into their own hands?

Civilization gave way to laws, enforcement and sanctions. These tools justify the end result. Taking the law into your own hands is totally a case in which the end does not justify the method.

I repeat myself; I hunt and fish, and would be happy to spare species which are declining. I do this on a voluntary basis when fishing, because unfortunately there are no fishing laws. When I catch small bream or small grouper (domni, zabri, tartarell, xribex...) I just unhook or snap the line and set them free. If there is a bird which I don’t eat I simply not shoot it.

But I will never tolerate extremist groups that dictate, and abuse the law by taking matters in their own hands. It is not only dangerous for them but also for the persons who are fishing/hunting.

I have had extremists in my fields without my knowledge vandalizing my hides during legal hunting seasons.

Reminds me of the Greenpeace tuna incident
Extremism must stop

wally vella-zarb

Jan 7th 2010, 17:15

Johnny Xerri, you are clearly trying to be fair and rational. However, it is not a simple case of lobbying for 'changes in the law'. The rest of the civilized world did that many years ago and agreed that irrefutable scientific evidence was showing that various species of cetaceans were in danger of extinction. They agreed to have a moratorium and the hunting of whales for meat and blubber was stopped. Japan tries to be clever and is claiming that their capture of whales is solely for 'Cetacean Research'. Of course, after the 'tests', the carcasses are still processed commercially - 'So that they are not wasted', say the Japanese! How convenient! How utterly non-credible!

Nothing of any scientific importance has ever been published as a result of this 'research' and the rest of the world's scientists agree that it is not necessary to kill any more of these very intelligent mammals. If necessary, samples may easily be taken from a living animal (through biopsies). It is like killing an Elephant or a Panda just so that you obtain a blood sample.

This is why the Sea Shepherd Organisation does all it can to hamper their activity.

Johnny Xerri

Jan 7th 2010, 13:57

In my humble opinion 'serves the extremists right & hope that on every mission they get their vessels rammed'

I do not favor whaling and over fishing and I am in favor of bans if any species not just whales are proven to be endangered, however, as I consistently say there are laws and until they change nobody can physically interfere and act as extremists protestors.

The protestors can and should oppose on scientific grounds and lobby for changes in law. But and its a big but, they cannot take the law in their own hands and hinder the fisherman who are currently not breaking any law.

Laws should also be based on scientific grounds and not on compassion or tree-hugging principles. If a species is endangered it simply cannot be fished, if it is not endangered then it can be fished.

Same goes for hunting. I am a hunter and an amateur fisherman, and would like protection of any game bird species or fish if proven to be endangered, however, if not endangered, what is the use of protection??

In most cases environmental groups have lost the plot and are after only publicity and money.

J. Azzopardi

Jan 7th 2010, 13:39

wally vella-zarb
Thanks for the video link. That proves me wrong in THIS case.

However take a look at these vids where the Sea Shepard's vessels on more than one occassion ram Japanese fishing vessels in other serious incidents :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIYdmM6eBQY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N44Bql8nrQo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDsZcLVXyn8&feature=related

I am against whale hunting but as the Australian Minister warned, these incidents are going to get someone killed. Sea Shepard cheaply engages extremist fanatical volunteers to join its fleet and hides behind a waiver it presents them that if they get hurt they know what they are getting in for. I have seen various programs of Whale Wars and I am baffled how so far nobody has been killed. The inexperience and lack of professionality by this so called organization employing novices who are unskilled in the job they take on shall get some people killed. Sea Shepard and its Kingpins give me the impression that they are actually waiting for a martyr fatality to suit their case. That is why I call them Fanatics.

ANDREW CACHIA

Jan 7th 2010, 12:52

in my opinion althought the two boats were playing a game of chicken which went horribly wrong! if people like the crewmembers of the ADY GILL give up their fight against whaling and poaching, in a few years time our children would live in a much emptier and boring world!

wally vella-zarb

Jan 7th 2010, 12:41

For those who do not understand Portuguese (as shown in my previous link) here is a video taken from another Sea Shepherd boat:

http://videos.publico.pt/Default.aspx?Id=cee8f617-c265-4e40-bc32-48eaaa2b8c10

Can anyone now claim that the Japanese boat did not turn deliberately so as to ram Andy Gil???

wally vella-zarb

Jan 7th 2010, 12:28

@ J Azzopardi

NO, Mr Azzopardi, "It was a deliberate move" by the Shonan Maru 2, which DELIBERATELY turned to starboard to ram the trimaran. The video that is shown by Reuters was provided "courtesy of Cetacean Research" i.e. the Japanese, and therefore only shows what they want to be seen. What they did not realise was that another video was being taken, and this shows what REALLY happened. See for yourself:

http://ecosfera.publico.clix.pt/noticia.aspx?id=1416520

The Japanese excuse of 'research' is not credible and their continuing murder of intelligent mammals can only be described, inadequately, as disgusting!

ALBERT SCERRI

Jan 7th 2010, 11:46

@J.Azzopardi
Are you by any chance connected to the (over-) fishing industry in Malta !!??

A Coppini

Jan 7th 2010, 11:17

If anything, its a great preview (and some free marketing) to the next season of whale wars :-).

J.Azzopardi

Jan 7th 2010, 10:48

"It was a deliberate move"
Yes but by extremist fanatics on the Ady Gil.