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CONVOLUTED LOGIC


The Press Releases of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) always need some careful review before using them when researching a Post. The most recent ones are no exception to the rule both in choice of words, the thinking of Paul Watson and thus the resulting convoluted logic.

On March 21, 2011 the Japan Whaling Fleet (JWF) arrived back in Tokyo Bay rather earlier than other years by about a month. The reason for this was because of a decision by the Japanese Fishing Authority to cut the season short and have the vessels return home. Naturally the SSCS claimed that it was as a result of their anti-whaling efforts that the JWF left the Antarctic early and returned to Japan. This may well have been the reason and without doubt it influenced the instructions to return to Japan.

Applying their logic the SSCS claim that they have actually provided humanitarian assistance to the Japanese earthquake/tsunami victims. On the return of MS Nisshin Maru it was chartered by the Japanese Government to take supplies of fuel and foodstuffs to the Northeast coastal area of devastation. This was a good choice of vessel because she has extensive built in wash down equipment and can flush the vessel with seawater after any exposure to radioactive material. Of course when readers will read the SSCS PR's somewhat different terminology is used, as always they show the JWF in the worst possible light.

As a result of the disasters in Japan it will be very tempting for them to now increase whaling in both the Northern Pacific and again next season in Antarctica. With the destruction of the Taiji dolphin pens at Otsuchi, a town which no longer exists, income and food sources will be at a premium. Politically the Japanese Government will not be very open to fishing negotiations, in fact we could well see an increase in whaling expeditions regardless of world viewpoints.

The SSCS PR also goes on about the siting of the Japanese nuclear reactor plants and how the United States warned Japan about their coastal plants. SSCS and Watson should visit Florida where the Florida Power and Light (FPL) nuclear plants are on the coast. There is one at St. Lucie, FL which FPL proudly states is 20 feet above sea level and another at Turkey Point, FL which FPL proudly states is again 20 feet above sea level. While not in an earthquake prone area we are smack in the middle of the hurricane belt and 20 feet is a joke with a high tide and a hurricane tidal surge. In fact the FPL Nuclear Power Plant at Turkey Point, Homestead, FL is right on Biscayne Bay National Park and supplies, amongst many many others, the City of Coral Gables, FL and thus NAUTICAL LOG with our electric power. We just had FPL and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Media explanations and Miami-Dade Fire Dept. drills this week.
Well Watson and SSCS which is it? your ignorance, your poor research, or just a case of the-pot-calling-the-kettle-black to make trouble and add to the Japanese problems. Cheap shots to a hurting nation from cheap persons, just for once if you cannot put-up then shut-up - that includes your forthcoming lecture circuit.

Good Watch.

Please remember the 800 seafarers held captive by pirates off Somalia - let us work to free them.

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