The truth about Japan calling off the whale hunt, from the Institute of Cetacean Research - ICR

MEDIA RELEASE

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JARPA II research vessels to return home

Today, after careful consideration to the situation in the Antarctic and consultation with the

Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR), the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of

Japan announced withdrawal of the research activities based on the Second Phase of

Japan’s Whale Research Program under Special Permit in the Antarctic (JARPAII) for this

season, in order to avoid any injury or threat to life of the crew members and property of

the fleet caused by the continued illegal attacks and sabotage by Sea Shepherd

Conservation Society (SSCS).

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JARPAII is a perfectly legal activity carried out under the International Convention for the

Regulation of Whaling (ICRW). The ICR strongly condemns the SSCS and its continued

dangerous and violent actions against Japan’s whale research vessels in the Antarctic.

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) has condemned SSCS’s tactics against

Japan’s whale research vessels. In 2008 the IWC member countries adopted by consensus a

statement which calls on Sea Shepherd “to refrain from dangerous actions that jeopardize

safety at sea” regardless of different positions of countries on whaling.

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This issue is not about whaling, but about the safety and violent activities at Sea.

The Dutch and Australian Governments could not stop violent activities of the SSCS while

they register SSCS vessels under their flags.

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Also today, the Australian and New Zealand Governments officially welcomed the

decision by the Government of Japan to withdraw the JARPAII research vessels for this

season without condemning the extremely dangerous activities of the SSCS.

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In this regard, the ICR cannot help deeming with regret that these countries are

encouraging so-called “eco-terrorism”, by their actions of condoning illegal activities of

the SSCS and of welcoming the results of such activities.

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Once more again we request that Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands behave earnestly

and according to their obligations as members of the international society and fulfill their

duties under international law to deal with the SSCS criminal actions in a strict and

objective manner.

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NOTE: Photos and video to be attributed to the Institute of Cetacean Research

http://www.icrwhale.org/gpandsea.htm

Japan’s research whaling in the Antarctic is producing objective results

http://www.icrwhale.org/JARPAResults.htm

18 February 2011

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