Prior to Friday’s premiere of the new Animal Planet series Whale Wars, Japan’s Institute of Cetacean Research has accused Animal Planet of ecoterrorism.
The show will chronicle the exploits of an anti-whaling group who takes their quest directly to the front lines, trying to stop Japanese whaling vessels from succeeding in killing whales.
Planetsave editor and contributor Alex Felsinger recently previewed the exciting series. In short, it chronicles how the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society stopped Japanese whalers from killing at least 300 whales last winter by using harsh, combative tactics.
The Society is not afraid to unleash their fury. The show depicts hostage situations, gunfire, the attempted destruction of whaling boats, and the throwing of powerful smoke bombs on board ships. It’s not surprising given that the leader of the group, Captain Paul Watson, co-founded Greenpeace. Supposedly Watson left Greenpeace because they weren’t aggressive enough for his tastes, although other sources claim he was kicked out.
So whether or not Animal Planet is being rightly accused of supporting eco-terrorists is unclear. In addition to accusing Animal Planet of supporting ecoterrorism, the Institute of Cetacean Research has also accused them of helping the crew of the Sea Shepherd to “stage” an attack on the crew’s boat with gunfire, an event they claim never really occurred.
Personally, I find Japan’s defiance and disregard of the international whaling ban to be the true crime. They claim that they do whaling for scientific purposes, even though whale meat is sold and consumed in Japan as a delicacy, even in schools. This occurs despite recent evidence that whale meat contains toxic mercury levels.
Japan doesn’t even want to play nice after other countries tried to do so at this year’s annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission. Their response after other countries tried not to take any offensive actions was to say: “We are witnessing the death of the International Whaling Commission.”
If you are reading Planetsave, then you are probably as fired up as we are to watch the premiere of Whale Wars. Feel free to leave your thoughts about the show in our comments section.
Photo Credit: Animal Planet
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Levi Novey
Levi Novey is a conservation professional who has received a bachelor's degree in History from Tufts University and a master's degree in Conservation Social Sciences from the University of Idaho. He worked for the U.S. National Park Service for 10 years, as a park ranger in 6 national parks, as a social science researcher in 5 parks, and as the science communicator for a Natural Resource Inventory and Monitoring Network that serves 9 parks. He has authored several scholarly papers as well as several guidebooks to U.S. national parks. Levi also has taught an undergraduate Environmental Communication Skills course at the University of Idaho, won several photography contests, and regularly enjoys visits to parks, protected areas, historical sites, museums-- and just about anywhere where he can learn something new about the world. He currently lives in Peru, with his wife Alicia, and their daughter Coral.
75 Responses to Japan Accuses Animal Planet of EcoTerrorism Prior to “Whale Wars” Premiere
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It boils down to this:
The Japanese ships are taking lives.
The Sea Shepherd ship is saving lives.
Which is the real “terrorist”?
Nitpick: Whale Wars hasn’t documented gunfire. The whole thing about “Captain” Watson being shot was a fraud.
Well, regardless of your opinions on animal cruelty, veganism, etc, this situation is about human life. Noone has the right to endanger another person in a situation that does not represent imminent danger to an oter human. I fished offshore for 6 years, and believe me, when you are out there, you are OUT there, the ship becomes your world, and as anyone who has had close calls (i.e serious mechanical failure compunded by weather issues) can tell you, this is serious serious business. I don’t believe the “captain” of this ship is is full posession of his faculties. He is clueless about running a ship and his crew of idiots are a danger to themselves, if noone else. The fact that AP condones this activity and gives these criminals a platfrom for airing their self-righteous views is abhorrent. First of all lets get the facts straight. The research whaling being conducted by japanese scientists is legal and mandated by the IWC which is recognized byt the UN. The mandate the SS posses that people who support them refer to , is one that allows people to stop, or otherwise interfere with illegal whaling, ie whaling that is not permitted by ANY governing body. Next, “japanese whalers” do not exist. This is because whaling as an industry is illegal the world over. These are fishermen that are contracted to do the fishing, on boats that otherwise pursue other fisheries and species. So these people are terrorists and liars. I personally find killing whales for ANY reason very sad, and hope that the people doing this will eventually let it go. But the whales that they are collecting are very very common, and nowhere near endangered. The Fin whales are, that is why they are only permitted to take only a few each year. I also find the people who post here and condone the action of these pirates and potential murderers to be at the very least misguided. Has anyone ever heard of the principal that “two wrongs don’t make a right”? Even IF what the Japanese Scientists were doing was illegal, who gives these people the right to be judge jury and executioner? These idiots are putting peoples lives in danger when other methods would suffice, and in the end, they have no effect on this situation at all except to make it worse. I applaud the Japanese sailors for their restrant, when by law they are permitted to use lethel force to defend themselves against these clear acts of piracy, and i will not be surprised when they finally destroy the SS with all aboard and sail away. When does it stop? At what point do we say enough is enough? When someone dies? Capt Idiot would like nothing better. His or theirs, a dead crewman would be great for him, either for sympathy or for bragging rights n the terrorist circles he moves in.
Ah the intellectually and ethically indefensible arguments of the vegan/vegetarian zealots rear their ugly heads. Sophistry indeed!
Part of what distinguishes our species far and away above every single other species is our higher thinking that enables us to form complex societies with laws and moral codes. These laws and moral codes are what distinguish us from barbarians, or even other animals. While endangered animals should be protected, we shouldn’t devolve into acting like the very thing we’re trying to protect.
If what these whalers are doing is wrong or illegal, there is a mode of redress developed by our species to rectify it. If what they’re doing is legal, then these “Shepherds” are terrorists plain and simple. In either case, the “Shepherds” are nothing more than a barbarian, and nothing less than animals.
I say the Japanese should protect their whaling operations with the few naval ships they posses, providing convoy escort against these clear acts of terrorism. Any attack (in this case physical and chemical attacks) on a nations shipping by a group such as this is piracy/terrorism. Animal Planet needs to be warned and forced to take the show down, or fined/seized. If these ecoterrorist ships still try to mount attacks on Japanese shipping, fire upon them and sink their ships. Then search for and capture/exterminate any survivors. Those captured then need to be deported, imprisoned or shot. It may sound brutal, but in these type of situations, brutality is needed.
When are you people going to open your eyes and do something for the real victims here, DINOSAURS! none of you ever campaigned to save them from extinction, or had a fundraiser to save them, why not? are the DINOSAURS not good enough to be saved? oh yeah,they died off naturally just like all the animals including us will do overtime
YOU know what i think i would like to sinck there ship i am for the sea shiperd you know they can kill a whale but i they cant defeat god god bless
I have to agree with Kiwi they can whale but only if they use traditional methods and only in their own waters.
But if they poach whales in international waters or worse yet preserves then they deserve no mercy.
If I had my way I’d leave the whalers to the sea after sinking their ship.
I say the penalty for whaling in protected waters such as Antarctica should be the same as it is for any other form of piracy.
They should be arrested and their ship sunk if the UN doesn’t want to do this then it will fall to people like seashepard.
Wiping out the whales would be a crime against nature
plus removing a key species could have terrible consequences on the ecology of the ocean fish stocks could crash causing about 2 billion people to loose their primary source of protein.
We do not understand how the ecology of the ocean operates but when you wipe out a species you are removing parts of the machinery.
It’s akin to being on an airplane or spaceship and just randomly breaking hardware with no knowledge as to what it does.
You may find smashing a part that was not directly connected to the engines brings it down.
As a New Zealander I object to Japanese whaling near our waters. If the japanese have a traditional whale hunt near Japan thats fine. I have no objection to that. But if they have killed all the whales near Japan so they have to come halfway around the world to fish in whale sanctuaries then you can understand people would object and take measures to enforce the UN mandates.
As for the discussion on veganism, partyless argument that killing other animals and cruelty is natural and so they have no problem with it. I find that argument horrible. Are you really arguing that we should take the natural world as a guide for our moral behavior? Animals kill and rape each other regularly, so do you advocate that we do that also?
Is there anything regular people can do to help stop the Japanese whalers. ie: writing to senators or something of that nature? Thanks
The crew of this ship do not know what there doing. They are going to really screw up and hurt them selves or others. If the whaling was illegal wouldnt the UN do something. Oh yeah, and when they throw the stuff to ruin the whale meat, dont they realize they can just throw that one over and get another for there research. There are boats out there that drag nets destroying the sea floor and lots of fish that get throw back into the ocean after being crushed in the nets. where are they then?
Is the Japanese government doing the whaling or is it a Japanese company? I take exception to the whalers continually being refered to as THE Japanese. If the whale meat is a “delicacy” then I doubt it would be served to school children. No profits there. Are they exceeding the established quotas for whaling? It is very easy for people from a large country with sufficient land mass per capita to grow abundant crops and raise cattle to pass judgement on those who are dependent on the ocean for their food. I remember paying 45 dollars for a box of grapes in 1982…I wonder how much worse it is now.
What next? Will you now go to Philippines because they eat dogs. Will you go to Peru because they eat chickens? Will you go to China because they eat monkey? Will you got to Alaska because they hunt for the King Crab?
I believe that this show should be taken off the air for a multitude of reasons.
As someone who is ethnically and culturally Japanese but an American national, I find that this show does little else except perpetuate and encourage bigotry. I have watched this show with both fascination and disgust. The show never makes the distinction between the Japanese companies who are doing the questionable research, and the Japanese people as a whole. Furthermore, there is no proof, whatsoever, that the research the Japanese scientists are doing is unethical or unnecessary. Just because the excess parts of the whales are being used for commercial purposes does not mean the research is useless or should be stopped. Moreover, the actions of the Sea Shepards are extremely offensive, and extremely dangerous. They are terrorists. Such acts should not be condoned and the fact that a television show is broadcasting this filth makes me ashamed to be an American.
I have mixed feelings as to whether or not the scientists should continue their work. I would love to know more about how the whales are being tested, and how that information has helped us as a human race. Perhaps the research is even helping us cultivate a better understanding of the whales? But, to return to my main argument, this show promotes bigotry and hate. Japanese people are not stupid, nor are they inferior. The Japanese country, as a whole, is much more proactive and eco-minded than the US. I hope that people decided to boycott this show, to write letters to the show and to Animal Planet urging them cancel this show and formally condemn the SS and their actions. If we want to change something, anything, we should do it by legal, positive means. Violence is not, and never will be, the answer.
Post: they are not “Japanese Whalers” they are scientists.
The show is very well done and I enjoy it.
But these so-called “Sea Shepherds” are terrorists, plain and simple, and should be dealt with as such.
Their self-righteous and messianic delusions, and clearly criminal tactics, have me rooting for the Japanese, no matter how reprehensible their whaling may be.
The French knew how to properly deal with ecoterrorists like the “Sea Shepherds”.
So in the future when I take my family out to eat at a restaurant, I should expect protest groups to throw smoke bombs and other things at us because we plan to ordered chicken mcnuggets (from enslaved chickens) or get a milkshake (milk taken fron enslaved cows).
How about bombing hardware stores for selling lawn mowers because it forces people to step on ants while they are cutting the grass.
Stopping Whale hunting is important but if it means killing people to accomplish that goal then I’d rather not be known as a murderer. And yes I do value a persons life more than an animals life.
I watched this show last night. I consider myself on the side of the Law when it is moral, the show left me with many questions and concerns which I wish Animal Planet would report.
Is the Whale hunting being done by Japan illegal(should it be, are these Whales endangered?)
Are the actions of the Sea Shepard and its crew illegal?
Who funds their activities?
I find myself trying to be an intelligent judge of what I saw.
Comments anyone?
Japan is has a very rich natural resources. Animals and plants are well protected. They think that its better to deplete other country’s resources than their own. Why hunt in the antartic? japanese people are stupid!!!!
seem like terrorists to me (the yanks and aussies)
One word comes to my mind when I think about how I would deal with ecoterrorists. Torpedo!
Congrats…this makes me want to take up whaling. I guarantee anyone trying to board my ship without permission will be considered pirates and dealt with accordingly.
Being a vegan for ethical reasons is stupid. Have you actually ever watched discovery channel. When a wildabeast gets stuck in the mud the Lions don’t help it get out, nor give it a swift death. They slowly chump at it, while it still struggles to get free. There is humane and then there is stupid. Most vegans are stupid.
Absolutely insane! This show is glorifying these activists. I’m not sure Steve Irwin would have wanted his name tied to this. If I were the Japanese, and doing what is legal, within the limit allowed by law, I would not be as peaceful as they were with these idiots. Throwing butyric acid, and trying to wrap their prop up with rope in the middle of nowhere, IS physically attacking them. When they board without permission after those acts, I would take it as a very real threat. What a cheap shot to claim to the media, that they had been “taken hostage”. Whether you agree with what they are doing or not is not the point. The only people committing crimes are those on board the Steve Irwin, and Animal planet is making them look like heroes…even with their little “disclaimer” at the beginning.
According to the International Whaling Commission, Japan hunts mostly Minke whales in southern waters. The southern hemisphere Minke population was estimated at half a million to over a million at the time commercial whaling ceased; the current estimate is still pending.
During the November to March season, Japanese whalers made the following annual catches, 2001 through 2007: 440, 441, 443, 441, 866 (including 10 Fin whales), 511 (3 Fin), 551. The last season I guess is the one on Animal Planet.
http://www.iwcoffice.org/conservation/estimate.htm#table
http://www.iwcoffice.org/conservation/table_permit.htm
I liked the comment made by “Tessa” – “Whaling should be judged by the same standards as other industries and we should be careful not to impose our food culture on others”. This point is a powerful one. This truly is not an issue of meat eater versus non-meat eater. That debate will continue into eternity.
I think the fundamental issue is that the whale populations are declining (in general – I am certain someone will find a statistic for one species of whale that is rebounding), should we be contributing to a quicker decline? This issue has already been played out in the small fishing villages in Canada. The fishing industry failed to evaluate the warning signs of diminishing fish stocks and continued to fish, fish, fish. The result, a number of fishing villages in absolute economic despair – there is not enough fish. Would the outcome have been different if they would have made adjustments and attempted to let the fish bio-system regenerate (i.e. leave it alone for 5-10 years)then return to fishing with a different prespective on sustainability?
I see the whaling issue exactly the same – we know that the populations are in serious peril. So why can we not simply sit back and leave it alone to permit it to regenerate? Yes, I know that people will hurt in the mean-time (fishermen, etc)but they will hurt in the end when the whales are either extinct or in so few numbers it would be as if they were gone. Then we have to realize/accept that some will want to return to whale hunting (something that makes me sick), lets hope that they return with restraint and improve methods for such activities. Just my prespective. Continue to TALK, TALK, TALK – involve others.
Does anyone not care that they are illegally fishing in a sanctuary? its like going to the zoo and shooting a lion and saying ‘its ok that i broke the law (UN Chartered too!) cause im doing it for research’. That is the big wrong! Who are they not to obey the UN?
While I don’t personally agree with every tactic Sea Shepherd uses in their goal to stop whaling, their results, however controversial, have been effective. At least it would appear so.
How much of the incidents, on both side (Japan vs SS) is true or fabricated, I’m not sure we’ll ever know.
I am FOR the end of all whale hunts. It’s unncessary, inhumane, and cruel. These are sentient beings and Japan having a quota of 1,000 whales per year to cull all in the name of research, just doesn’t sound right. What for? A thousand whales? Researching what?
Japan blames the whales for the overfishing problem. Instead of taking responsibility that mankind is the ultimate culprit, to me they seem to be cowards by blaming the marine mammals. Well hello? The ocean is THEIR home. it’s not ours to rape and pillage in the name of ‘research’ and profit.
Just my ever so humble opinion of course
Thanks for a great article … I’m linking your blog on mine to keep up with
Mahalo,
Dolphin
‘Whale Wars’ whilst it sounds highly interesting seems likely to be a biased piece that neglects points of view different to those of the makers. Methods of whaling are indeed not very humane but this is not the only field where that is the case and Japan is not the only country to do so. it is important not to neglect the history of whaling and which countries brought certain whales to their present state.
As for research whaling it is within the laws of the IWC and presents research papers regularly and does provide relevant data. The IWC requires that whale meat not be wasted and therefore the Japanese government sells it to help pay research costs. There is no profit made from the sale of this meat and eating it is not particularly popular in Japan. In fact the sale of the meat does not even cover the costs of the research.
As for cruelty in eating meat, I think it is natural for humans as omnivores to eat both meat and vegetables. Without modern advances vegetarians would have difficulty surviving without meat. humans are animals and like many other animals we eat meat. I think it highly judgemental to call those who eat meat cruel or wrong. It is also questionable to use the `intelligence` of whales as a basis of whether they should or should not be eaten. There are many species of whales and what are the criteria of intelligence? how about the lambs that are killed?
Whaling should be judged by the same standards as other industries and we should be careful not to impose our food culture on others.
It has been interesting to read the comments posted here. I love the fact that people are now talking about the whale killing. This is the first step toward enacting any type of change. I would like to see people keep it more factual rather than personal as that devalues the entire purpose. They say that in order to “debate” a subject a person needs to be able to defend the opposite position- in order to truely understand the issues.
Personally, as an avid SCUBA diver, I can tell you that our oceans are in a crisis. As a chemist I can tell you that our oceans are in a crisis. We are starting to see a fundamental change in the pH buffering capacity of the oceans – trust me this is HUGE. All living organisms in our oceans, not just the whales are struggling to adjust, and their populations are declining. In the end if our oceans fail, if our oceans become unhealthy – we as a species will follow suit.
I hope people will watch Whale Wars, become educated about the situation and form their own opinion of the tatics utilized by Sea Sheperd. In the end there will always be two sides to every story. As my dear late grandfather always said: “I may not agree with what you have to say – but god damn it – I fought in World War 2 for you to have the right to say it!.” Go forth and continue to talk about the killing of the whales – PLEASE talk loudly and furiously.
Using terrorism to push your agenda pollutes your cause.
Consuming the meat once the animal is dead and the research has been conducted is surely better than letting it rot somewhere?
Why on earth are so many people making negative comments about Sea Shepherd? Do you really think Japan is right? Do you really think that conventional democratic (or military) methods are actually effective against a rogue state?
“If you want change, and don’t have a real army, then tough luck.”
Are you f-ing serious??? Isnt REAL change more often brought about by groups of dedicated people united in a common cause than by a powerful military forcing things on people (i.e. American Revolution vs. Iraq war)?
This kind of thinking keeps us going backwards, with our eyes closed and mouths full of toxic waste, down a spiral into ecological damnation.
Wise up. Rise up. The government cannot and will not help you.
I understand that saving whales is important, but I’m often off put by the people who are trying to do “good” things.
Protect_our-eco, calling someone ignorant and a hick while using a racial slur makes your own ignorance very obvious.
haha. Crossing Line writes from a very uninformed place. What army is going to go down there and uphold the laws? Its Antartica. The Antartic Army. Yep. ha. Lets say this again. I think if people read the book Whale Warriors (written by someone who isnt apart of the crew), they may know something about what is actually going on and why they do what they do. If you havent read it or dont know anything about it from a personal stand point, then opinions are non educated and serve no purpose to inform anyone with questions. Lets step back and just look at this from an ecosystem point of view and how killing off whales effects that. Or maybe lets look at how the japanese are fishing in UN protected waters and no one but sea shepherd are doing anything about it. oh but wait, yeah they do have the laws under them. They are legally authorized to intervene in accordance with the United Nations World Charter for Nature that was ratified by the U.N. General Assembly in 1982 under Section 21. So no they arent terrorists. They arent doing anything illegal. They are upholding their given rights as stated by the UN. So f— whatever army you had in mind.
Smellycat points to a classic rhetoric that I hear to often in my vegetarian career, “the plants have feelings too” so were do we draw the line, will we eat dirt, or worse, diet Coke. The argument that it is of course a half digested sophism, a smoke curtain for not questioning ones option can be approached and fought from various angles. First the choosing of lesser evil. No, the animals formerly known as Plants don’t have a nervous system, aren’t aware, don’t feel pain or urge to run. They are halfway closer to DNA automatons than your pet. So if it’s between a pig and a corn i would sacrifice the corn. Two: Plants produce Fruits. Fruits are designed to be eaten. It’s a strategy of plant to disseminate seeds. Fruits are raw pulp that lack any trace of sensitivity and consumption don’t destroy the plant itself. The leaves also are expandable for the plant. Most herbivore animals eat teh fruits or the leaves so the plant will regenerate eventually.
Isn’t that eco-warrior contributing to global warming by smoking?
Maybe someone will discover that plants have feelings too and we can all just eat dirt. Or perhaps the bacteria that resides on dirt has feelings too… Oh my!
terrorism on terrorism.. well 2 rights dont always make a wrong, but when terrorism comes upon those who can’t defend themselves then who will? go animal planet!
haha
Down with the Japs!
Save the whales, you ignorant hick!
Lol at reactionary conservatives being like “SCREW THOSE WHALES IT’S LUNCHTIME”
Except that this is a lot less about the Whales (although everyone should realize the ecological impact of the loss of these species is enormous), and more about the Japanese thinking they’re special, yet again.
But then again, America showed them that you don’t have to follow international law to be a winner.
<3
to Johnny Common Sense & other finkers: Whales and dolphins are evolved, sentient, rational beings just like you, me and the japanese sailors. Times will come when killing/hunting/butchering fellow species will be seen as we see cannibalism today.
nasty business. killing animals for food. no?
whats worse, killing a cow or a shrimp? no difference?
how about killing a horse or a shrimp?
how about your pet dog or a shrimp?
do you find any of those are ethically better or worse?
if no, then i guess the only thing we can argue is the value of making sure a species doesnt get wiped out.
if yes, i would argue that whales are the highest of the mammals – in sentience, intelligence and awareness. so i would argue that it is indeed worse to kill a whale than a cow (not by much) and definitely worse than a chicken or fish.
as a lifelong vegetarian, i find eating meat AMAZINGLY cruel. i find people who get choked up about the family pet getting ran over and crying at mcdonalds hypocrites in the highest sense of the word.
i dont eat meat for health reasons or ethical reasons. but seeing those beautiful animals get blasted with rocket powered harpoons and dragged up into boats, or the whole scale dolphin slaughter in the japanese bays just tears me up quite a bit.
Such a shame, I know people hate PETA and everything. But the time for animal rights has come – it’s time for people to start taking this seriously and stop pushing it aside just because you hate some group that campaigns for its cause.
The cause is becoming ignored because of people’s hate one of the most eccentric groups campaigning for the cause.
People don’t realize how much bad they’re doing. For one thing donating to cancer research groups contributes to animal torture. People don’t see this link, but what they need to know is that these cancer research facilities test on animals in some of the most disgusting and horrible ways imaginable.
I don’t expect every web site to make a print version of a page available, but please, at least make it possible for people to at least print out what has been highlighted/selected… your formatting makes this impossible.
Japan is right. By supporting extremists, you are an extremist.
Animal Planet supports terrorists.
So, I need to clarify that this isn’t whale killing, this is whale hunting. They don’t leave them dead in the ocean, they consume the meat and other organs, fat, etc.
I agree, that there needs to be a conservation of endangered species, but not to this extent.
Such actions dismiss validity of international laws, and other boycott measures that can be taken against Japan.
I’m pretty excited about this series.
I’m pretty sure whales feel that Japan is the real terrorists.
I think that the show is going to be amazing and Japan is just being a bunch of pussys. “Research” my ass. I’m glad animal planet is doing what there doing and I’ve been waiting very unbpaitaintly to see the new series. Its just a bullying tactic Japan thinks its going to use to get us to stop kicking there asses because there coming into OUR territory and killing wales… pshhtt…. (I know I cant spell)
Attacking whaling ships(when you are not given orders by the military) is crossing the line. Japan should place soldiers on those boats so they can shoot the protesters that throw smoke bombs and other extreme things.
If you want change, and don’t have a real army, then tough luck.
I hope Japan wins there case
I don’t believe it for one second!