CASH OFFER TO FIND JAPAN WHALERS

[Anonymous]

Cash offer to find Japan whalers
Activists
intent on disrupting Japan’s annual whale hunt have offered a $25,000
reward for information that leads them to the whaling fleet.
The
New Zealand military has filmed the hunters harpooning whales in waters
south of Australia, but is refusing to give details. They are concerned
activists could use violent tactics against the whalers. The Japanese
crews are on a mission to kill about 850 minke whales and 10 fin
whales. Commercial hunting was outlawed in the 1980s, but Japan has
continued its annual cull for what it calls scientific research.
Critics believe that this is simply a tactic to circumvent the
regulations, and amounts to commercial whaling in all but name.

Huge problem
A
sophisticated and dangerous game of hide-and-seek is being played out
in remote waters off Antarctica. Conservationists aboard three vessels
are hoping to track down the whalers in the Antarctic. Activists have
threatened to ram the Japanese ships and force them back to port.
Others intend to use small inflatable boats to put themselves between
the hunters and their prey. Finding the fleet in such a vast area is,
of course, a gigantic problem. Campaigners from the group Sea Shepherd
have offered a reward for anyone who can help. But the Japanese are
reported to be using satellites to keep one step ahead of their
pursuers. The New Zealand air force filmed the whaling fleet last week,
but is refusing to divulge any details of its location because of the
threat of confrontation. New Zealand and Australia both oppose Japan’s
whaling programme. 

[Author]

February 2, 2007 at 11:27 AM