UPDATE: June 24, 2010.
Now NAUTICAL LOG is angry and disgusted this morning on reading the Associated Press report by Arthur Max from Agadir, Morocco. He states:
"An international effort to truly limit whale hunting collapsed."
Without going into all the sordid details again we would point out that in the opinion of NAUTICAL LOG the great phony of these deplorable proceedings is Australia. Quoting Mr. Max's article:
"Australia, leading the hardline anti-whaling nations, hailed the outcome that preserved the ban on commercial whaling, even though it is flouted by three whaling states which claim exemptions. Australia was supported by a bloc of Latin American countries."
Hardline my asterisk!! Australia is the country that in spite of having responsibility under 'Territorial Seas' international maritime laws for the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary refuses to send its navy (which is a royal pain in the australia by the by) on fishery protection patrol duties to that area. As a result of this, Australia's direct and deliberate inaction, the Japanese whaling fleet annually hunt and kill within the Sanctuary, as they will this 2010-2011 season. It corruptly and slyly uses the Sea Shepherds instead. It allows these Netherlands flag state pirate ships to use Australian Ports, Australian Port Labour, Australian Pilotage services, to resupply, refit and refuel with impunity. Australia is an example of international politics at its lowest level, it has not the right to lead a garbage truck to the dump let alone an international group within the IWC. The very values of straight talk, rough sportsmanship and fair play that Australia once espoused are clearly gone along with whale protection. No she's NOT right mate not by a long shot!! Well maybe the new first woman Prime Minister Julia Gillard can effect change.
Good Watch
Once again those of us who like NAUTICAL LOG are firmly against whaling were disappointed by the International Whaling Commission (IWC). Delegates were unable to reach agreement on major issues one of which is the cessation of whaling by Iceland, Norway and Japan. The most well known of these three is of course Japan. Again the IWC legitimises 'scientific' whaling in the Southern Ocean by Japan and does not substantially reduce whale catches. Clearly the IWC is an ineffective body and perhaps should be dissolved, this would save the money wasted by them traipsing around the world having annual meetings which accomplish nothing and repeat the same old tired phrases and excuses year in year out.
Behind the scenes is Japan with its bribes to various nations to buy their votes stating that for them the stumbling block is the demand by EU and Latin America to end the Antarctica whaling programme. Japan did agree to reduce its quota from 935 to 200 in ten years time and this was considered by the IWC a 'significant step forward'. My how generous of them!! NAUTICAL LOG just hopes that there are enough whales left in the Southern Ocean by 2020. The path forward if there is one is now unclear.
Sir Geoffrey Palmer the current whaling commissioner and former New Zealand Prime Minister, now doubt thinking of his countries enormous trade with Japan, stated "Japan did show real flexibility and a real willingness to compromise". With remarks like that the real uselessness of Palmer as Commissioner and the IWC itself should be clear to all and the body dissolved as a waste of time and money.
Anti-whaling groups and individuals, NAUTICAL LOG among them, were pleased that their governments did not accept the draft agreement which would have legitimised the whaling programmes of Iceland, Norway and Japan. So now sadly a by product of this is the continued violence by the Sea Shepherds, unless gutsy little Malta arrests the Netherlands flag state pirate ship MS Steve Irwin and gets it off the High Seas. If not once again will we have 'Whale Wars' 2010-2011 and the Australian Navy will have to hide in port doing their 'three monkeys act' - seeing, hearing, saying nothing. l'Affaire pathetique!!
Good Watch.
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