World

Anti-Whaling Activists Attacked by Japanese Grappling Hooks

Sea Shepherd Anti Whaling Activists Sustain Minor Injuries From Japanese Grappling Hooks

CANBERRA, Australia (The Blaze/AP) — Three members of an anti-whaling activist group report minor injuries after the crew from a Japanese harpoon boat they were tailing threw grappling hooks their way in the Antarctic Ocean.

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society says the Japanese whaling crew hit Russell Bergh and Guillaume Collet with grappling hooks and struck Brian Race with a bamboo pole on Wednesday when the team approached in two inflatable power boats in a bid to prevent the Yushin Maru No. 2 whaler from tailing the Sea Shepherd’s flagship, the Steve Irwin.

Here’s footage of the conflict (Note: those on the Sea Shepherd appear to be throwing objects at the ship as well):

The statement says two activists sustained bruises from the hooks and Race was cut on the face by the bamboo pole.

Glenn Inwood, spokesman for the whale hunt’s sponsors, says the Japanese were retrieving a rope the activists had cast in a failed bid to snag the whaler’s propeller. Inwood says if activists were injured, it’s because they came too close.

This is by no means the first clash the activists have had with Japanese whalers. Last year, The Blaze reported that members from Sea Shepherd launched flares and smoke bombs at a Japanese ship, which was the fourth attack on a Japanese vessel that year.

(Related: Check out this Blaze article where a former Sea Shepherd captain accuses the current captain of the ship Paul Watson, well known from Animal Planet’s Whale Wars, of being “dishonest” and “morally bankrupt.”)

Comments (17)

  • Findalis
    Posted on January 22, 2012 at 2:07am

    Isn’t Sea Shepard part of the Church of Scientology? Or do they have another group?

    Report Post » Findalis  
  • CottonMPG
    Posted on January 21, 2012 at 7:05am

    I’m surprised these people have not been killed yet as much as they provoke these whalers! Those of us who merely wish to stand with signs, pray and/or talk to women near abortion clinics are demonized as terrorists!! You don’t have to agree with whaling to see these whale warriors as out of control. They constantly try to do severe damage to these expensive ships and their equipment. If I were hunting deer or turkey or something and had to deal with this sort of thing, well, I don’t know what would happen. I’m not really a hunter but I eat meat and have considered taking up hunting.

    Report Post » CottonMPG  
  • Krutch
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 11:09am

    Like all activists, the scenes I have seen show them to be over agressive. When one of their boats got rammed it was their fault not the ship which hit them. Of course they claimed the fast boat was rammed by the bigger slower ship on purpose but one could see the truth in that video. I don’t know why self-defence is looked down on these days. Laws are different on the high seas, but a pirate is illegal anywhere any time. And if one acts so then one should expect to be hanged.

    Report Post »  
  • Longslide7
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 10:33am

    You ever notice that the Sea Sheppard NEVER protects the sea life off the coast of Somalia? Wonder why that is?

    Report Post »  
    • the_ancient
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 10:44am

      Well they are a WHALE conservation society not a “:Sea Life” conservation Society

      So they do where most of the WHALES are, and where the WHALE hunters go. which is not Somalia

      Report Post » the_ancient  
  • richahlgrim
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 9:29am

    You folks need to check the piracy laws. These activists are very near the edge of the law of being pirates. The whalers are well within the international laws and these activists are denying them their rights.

    Report Post »  
    • DissenterKnight
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 12:29pm

      I’m not a fan, but I can’t agree that the S.S. are either pirates or even breaking the law in any actionable sense.

      Until they interfere with property rights they are well clear of the piracy law as I understand them; they have yet to seize control of a vessel or its cargo. While they are often well over the line re: the “rules of the road”, even then they never venture to far over the edge.

      Even in the case of the ramming, they were not in the wrong. The smaller vessel was no not underway –not making turns resulting in forward headway; consequently, they were deemed a fixed point or stationary object. It fell on the pilot of the vessel underway –making turns resulting in forward headway- to give them the required birth or right of way.

      Report Post » DissenterKnight  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 9:15am

    If the Japanese are obeying the Whaling laws, this is terrorism. Sink them.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • bigfatslob
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 8:59am

    As many times as I’ve seen Whale Wars, I’ve always rooted for the Whalers. RPGs would help the Whalers alot. If the Sea Shepards come to Long Beach, people hear may have a surprize for them.

    Report Post » bigfatslob  
    • objectivetruth
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 9:21am

      I hear you and do the same.Thirty years ago when whales really were near extinction I had a different tune.However the true conservation efforts have worked.Most whalers realize the scale they used to harvest at were to much and the problem.Provided they don’t harvest the endangered and most vunerable ,I’m all for allowing it Some have said but they use the pretext of research.No is isn’t a pretext.Whales are the perfect specimin for checking the true health of the ocean.Why not sell the rest of the meat.I’m for natives and islanders being able to hunt them as well.I’m sure some retrobate will attack me for this stance.As long as the whole animal is used and its done for the right reasons go for it.

      Report Post »  
    • the_ancient
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 10:46am

      OBJECTIVETRUTH

      I do not agree with the Whale Wars Crew, but if you buy in to the Nation that they are Hunting those whales for “Research” I have a Bridge I want to sell you

      Nothing they are doing is for Research, it is all for Meat, which is fine provided it is sustainable, but please spare me the BS “Research” angle

      Report Post » the_ancient  
    • objectivetruth
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 12:00pm

      @The Ancient
      I’m all for sustainable hunts.I know you don’t think much of the research part of the effort.It really is there.Its a needed component if any nations ever wish to repeal the moratorium on commercial whaling.Its also needed to determine if whale meat for consumption is actually far more toxic than in years past.Whales show the effects of toxicological damage and concentrations much more readily than most other sea life.
      While I know this ref link may not be read by you Please if you get the chance, do so
      http://www.icrwhale.org/pdf/SC57O1.pdf
      http://www.icrwhale.org/JARPAIIResearchPlan.html
      http://www.iwcoffice.org/commission/convention.htm

      Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 8:43am

    Oh… so the Hooks did not Attack the people!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • NC
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 8:34am

    Whale Wars is BAAACK.

    When last season ended, the Nisham Maru returned to Japan before the season’s “research” season ended. It appeared as though the war was won by the activists.

    Paul Watson, a self-proclaimed admiral having two ships under his command left the antarctic and turned his attention to the Mediterranean, north of Libya, during last years upheaval. He turned his attention and activists to stopping the harvest of giant yellow fin tuna. In years past, the Libyan navy would stop his actions but the unrest gave him free access to these coastal waters.

    As another aside, the “admiral” started his activism with Green Peace and left the organization because they were not “aggressive” enough.

    Probably more info than the Blazers want to know, but I’m a fan of he show. Looking forward to a new season, along with Deadliest Catch – starting in April, IIRC.

    NC (an old salt)

    Report Post » NC  
    • NC
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 8:42am

      As an addendum to my previous post. Whale Wars may or may not be back. The Discovery Channel / Animal Planet Channel / Whale Wars website has no mention of a season 5. Season 4 started in June 2011. If tradition holds, WW season 5 would start about the same time. Deadliest Catch is an April premiere.

      NC (got to get through winter…Spring is coming, seed catalogs are showing up in the mail box)

      Report Post » NC  
  • expatinontariocanada
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 8:28am

    A harpon through the bow of those boats. See ya.

    Report Post » expatinontariocanada  

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