Australian citizen Benjamin Potts been taken hostage

[Ixion]

Would only be piracy if the intent was to steal anything or take control of the vessel. Their aim is to make life difficult for the crew and operators. And the nerve of those minke whales, eating fish that we eat - like we haven't raped the seas for long enough. Ever wonder why things aren't like the old days when you could trot down to the beach and haul in half a dozen snapper for breakfast or pick up a few crayfish, its not down to a few minke or humpbacks, its over fishing by humans. Its sickening to see what a factory fishing ship can haul up in a few days.

Not so under NZ law

Piratical acts
(1) Every one commits a piratical act who—

(a) Within New Zealand, or, being a New Zealand citizen or a person ordinarily resident in New Zealand, outside New Zealand, under pretence of any commission from any State other than New Zealand (whether or not that State is at war with New Zealand) or under pretence of authority from any person whatever, commits an act of hostility or robbery:

"an act of hostility" is sufficient.

[Street Gerbil]

Save the whales for fucks sakes!
How can one possibly have anything against such a serene creature?!!

[Pwalo]

Save the whales for fucks sakes!
How can one possibly have anything against such a serene creature?!!

I think the Japanese only want to eat them.

[jonbuoy]

Not so under NZ law



"an act of hostility" is sufficient.

What hostile action have they taken?

[imdying]

What hostile action have they taken?

With such tension between the two groups, if I were the captain of the whaling vessel, I would consider any attempt by them to board, hostile. They were stupid enough to put themselves in that position, now they can stay captive till the boat reaches port and the Japanese judicial system can decide. Lucky for them the Japanese pussied out.

[bull]

Ok then, I'm open to debate.
Are you saying the "scientific whaling" is just that - purely for research?
Is the fish/whale/dolphin population not under threat from mankind?

Scientific - I hope so coz thats what the Japanese are legally entitled to do.
And the parts of the whale that are not used obviously get sold as product, seems smarter than just dumping as waste.

Under threat - id have to say that yes they are under threat by our existence but as the ocean is a mighty big place how the hell do they work out how much, or how little fish are in their still. All figures are based on catch numbers whilst not knowing the amounts in the sea to start with. That would seem that the numbers are a bit fishy.

[Freakshow]

I am enjoying hearing about the crazy saga's down south as it really is pirates vs pirates. I mean what authority will go down there to enforce good behaviour! I mean come on An Aussie and a pom (unlikly to speak japanese) board a boat and in the southern ocean after chassing them for a few days and ignoring contact! What did they expect! a cup of tea and a cucumber sandwich. I think the whalers were quite polite!

[Mully]

That would seem that the numbers are a bit fishy.

Or whale-y as it were

[Delphinus]

Scientific - I hope so coz thats what the Japanese are legally entitled to do.
And the parts of the whale that are not used obviously get sold as product, seems smarter than just dumping as waste.

So either its research, and as you say using the waste not dumping it....
Or they are catching whales under the guise of scientific research...
But in how many fields of scientific research involve slaughtering animals?

Under threat - id have to say that yes they are under threat by our existence but as the ocean is a mighty big place how the hell do they work out how much, or how little fish are in their still. All figures are based on catch numbers whilst not knowing the amounts in the sea to start with. That would seem that the numbers are a bit fishy.

What do you think the decline in catch numbers represents?
Maybe the fish are just hiding better?

[bull]

Apart from harvesting it for food, I couldnt think of a better reason than science to slaughter an animal. Wouldnt it be brilliant if they find a cure for cancer and aids from this research? maybe the whales have shown they carry it in their genes and the japanese are trying to extract it somehow?
Bet all the Greenies with cancer would be saying - no id rather die than be cured because of how the cure was found. Tui?

And as for the fish catches, surely evolution means that they are smarter now and perhaps have moved to regions not so easily fished? its a bloody big ocean.

[Delphinus]

Wouldnt it be brilliant if they find a cure for cancer and aids from this research? maybe the whales have shown they carry it in their genes and the japanese are trying to extract it somehow?

Is that your idea of why they are slaughtering them or something you have read? If so I'd like to see the source please.

And as for the fish catches, surely evolution means that they are smarter now and perhaps have moved to regions not so easily fished? its a bloody big ocean.

I'm going with Occam's Razor on this one...
Option A: Fish have evolved enough in the last 20 years (very very very short amount of time) to recognise when an invisible net is coming catching absolutely everything in its path that they hide somewhere away from it, and future nets.
Option B: Man has fished the sea dry... like almost every other natural resource.

I choose B.

[bull]

Is that your idea of why they are slaughtering them or something you have read? If so I'd like to see the source please.



I'm going with Occam's Razor on this one...
Option A: Fish have evolved enough in the last 20 years (very very very short amount of time) to recognise when an invisible net is coming catching absolutely everything in its path that they hide somewhere away from it, and future nets.
Option B: Man has fished the sea dry... like almost every other natural resource.

I choose B.

So you say in B that fish in the sea are a natural resource, yet people get up in arms when we use it?

surely Occam's Razor can only apply to option A - invisible nets, where? i cant see them, now that would definitely be a phenomenon though.

Ok this should stop now, its great to see so many supporters for the whales and equally to see so many supporters of the whaling. My opinion is that its allright and yours is that it isnt. Good on both of us.

[imdying]

So you say in B that fish in the sea are a natural resource, yet people get up in arms when we abuse it?

Fixed it for ya

At least, I think that's what the likely response to that question will be. Me, I say batter em up

[Clockwork]

Threaten fish stocks? That'll be the day. Dad used to be able to sit on the rocks and catch huge snapper back 20-30 years ago... good luck getting anything like that in your favourite fishing spot these days...

Marine reserves are an amazing sight if you ever get the chance to dive/snorkel in one. I've spend many a day checking out the fish at Goat Island... as soon as you go outside the no-fishing barrier it becomes quite empty again...

If the fish havn't gotten smarter in the last 20 years..... how do they know to not leave the reserve?

Makes yer think dunnit?

[imdying]

They're not smart enough to leave the reserve