A LESSON LEARNED

A Sea Shepherd and some Faeroese kids interact

Faroe Coat-of-Arms

News from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) off the Faroe Islands indicates that this season to date no grinds have taken place.  The grinds are the murderous pilot whale drives into narrow bays and the resulting slaughter. With the continued presence of their vessels and personnel the Royal Danish Navy and the Faroese Police decided to order that no grinds were to take place.  The reports and photos by SSCS had caused a lot of negative publicity for the Faroes Government, its people and in Denmark.  The Faroe Islands are part of the Kingdom of Denmark but not part of the European Union as is Denmark.


It would seem that lessons may be learned from the approach taken by Operation Ferocious Isles this year.  Without any of the violent confrontations as is usual with SSCS their method was to inform, monitor and report.  The result was both governments involved stopped the grinds themselves. 


It also seems there was interaction with the Faroese population particularly the young generation so maybe this senseless slaughter will soon be a thing of the past - which is where it belongs together with the Beserkers.  At the same time perhaps SSCS has learned that positive results may be achieved without negative violent confrontations.  Perhaps the senseless behaviour of 'Wats-his-name' will soon be a thing of the past - which is where it too belongs together with the Berserkers.


From subsequent press releases it would seem that more and more the SSCS is being honest about the fact that such volunteers as 'Cove Guardians' are on their own and pay all expenses themselves.  The raging, rampant, violent, tactics of 'Wats-his-name' may no longer reflect the strategy of SSCS.  Have the younger generation finally influenced the SSCS policy, will we shall see a fresh approach in dealing with the Japanese Whaling Fleet - if it appears at all this coming season?

Good Watch.

There are 800 of our fellow seafarers held captive by pirates ashore and off the coast of Somalia.  There are attacks by pirates along the Coast of West Africa the Maritime Authorities and sadly the Maritime Blog Community are doing - NOTHING?  NAUTICAL LOG will keep on and on about this issue so get used to it!!