I just finished the 1st hour, and your thoughts mirrored mine exactly.

The only addition I have is Pete admitting that the Japanese consider the SS to be crazy criminals. This is why I believe they are prolonging whaling. The people the SS need to convince is the Japanese. And instead of persuading the Japanese to stop the SS are hardening their opposition. More whales will die as a result of the SS when you view the complete picture.

The Japanese will stop whaling only when there are no more whales left, stop kidding yourself. I'm glad the SS er's are not making it easy for them.

PS: Have you not heard that the large blue fin tuna is quickly disappearing. Guess what they are the main course for? Yep Sushi and we all know what country that originates from.

The Japanese will stop whaling only when there are no more whales left, stop kidding yourself.

They could whale indefinitely then since the Minkes are so plentiful and increasing in population every year.

The Japanese will stop whaling only when there are no more whales left, stop kidding yourself. I'm glad the SS er's are not making it easy for them.

PS: Have you not heard that the large blue fin tuna is quickly disappearing. Guess what they are the main course for? Yep Sushi and we all know what country that originates from.

Blue fin tuna is still profitable. As CPanther95 stated above, whaling would not be profitable if it weren't for government subsides. All the Anti-Whaling activists need to do is convince the Japanese government to stop subsidizing the activity. The market would do the rest. And in a democracy the best way to cause governmental change is to get enough citizens to support it. Instead the SSers have changed Japanese opinion to support whaling.

I applaud the SSers for their most effective campaign since the show started. They were able to execute their plans effectively, due IMO, to Pete who is clearly very skilled.

However, I still believe the SSers do not effect whaling that much. They always tout numbers like the quota (which is never filled and meaningless) and the 20/day processing capacity (which they would never reach because it is impossible to sustain 20 whale catches/day/campaign). And in the end all they are doing is ensuring the Japanese will continue to support whaling.

Blue fin tuna is still profitable. As CPanther95 stated above, whaling would not be profitable if it weren't for government subsides. All the Anti-Whaling activists need to do is convince the Japanese government to stop subsidizing the activity. The market would do the rest. And in a democracy the best way to cause governmental change is to get enough citizens to support it. Instead the SSers have changed Japanese opinion to support whaling.

I applaud the SSers for their most effective campaign since the show started. They were able to execute their plans effectively, due IMO, to Pete who is clearly very skilled.

However, I still believe the SSers do not effect whaling that much. They always tout numbers like the quota (which is never filled and meaningless) and the 20/day processing capacity (which they would never reach because it is impossible to sustain 20 whale catches/day/campaign). And in the end all they are doing is ensuring the Japanese will continue to support whaling.

I don't believe any of that. The Japanese never had intentions to stop whaling even before the SS, ers came onto the scene. With more and more people aware of what they are doing now thanks to the SS,ers efforts, the chances are more so that the pressure put on them could make them rethink if whaling is worth it even though I doubt it. But it is ludicrous to think the SS er's have hurt their cause by staging these campaigns IMHO.

I don't believe any of that. The Japanese never had intentions to stop whaling even before the SS, ers came onto the scene. With more and more people aware of what they are doing now thanks to the SS,ers efforts, the chances are more so that the pressure put on them could make them rethink if whaling is worth it even though I doubt it. But it is ludicrous to think the SS er's have hurt their cause by staging these campaigns IMHO.

Did you see the Japanese pro-whaling activists at the end of the show? They have hurt their cause by making this a matter of national pride. Sure they may "save" some whales each year. But they have made it impossible for the Japanese to stop whaling without losing face. Thus, whaling will continue.

I sometimes think we are speaking different languages in our discussions.

For those of you that want to cleanse your palate after spending a season rooting for the Japanese whalers, you should check out "Blood Dolphins" (also on Animal Planet). Ric O'Barry is a guy going about trying to bring change the right way. He's also more about saving dolphins than just padding his own wallet and inflating his ego.

With Whale Wars, the vast majority of the apathetic and even a sizable chunk of people previously against whaling ended up rooting for the whalers. I suspect Blood Dolphins will have the opposite effect. The default position of the apathetic will be to side against the Japanese fishermen and those already against the dolphin harvesting will only solidify their position.

Did you see the Japanese pro-whaling activists at the end of the show? They have hurt their cause by making this a matter of national pride. Sure they may "save" some whales each year. But they have made it impossible for the Japanese to stop whaling without losing face. Thus, whaling will continue.

I sometimes think we are speaking different languages in our discussions.


Does that surprise you? It is pretty obvious that the SS er's efforts are garnered towards the consumption for the rest of the world, not Japans. No one thinks that pressure from within Japan will solve anything, it is the pressure from outside that might make a difference if any.

I noticed in Pete's letter he said he had a wife and two kids. It really makes me question his priorities to use a second mortgage on his house for the Ady Gil and leave his family for the 2 month expedition while risking death or 5 years in a Japanese prison.

Why cant the SS see that all they have to do is use spies to scope out when the factory ship leaves port to hunt, and just follow it to block its ramp? No bad PR. It solves what they want to accomplish, but instead they want to play pirate and harass the Japanese instead. I would think it would make the bureaucracy easier as well.

Why cant the SS see that all they have to do is use spies to scope out when the factory ship leaves port to hunt, and just follow it to block its ramp? No bad PR. It solves what they want to accomplish, but instead they want to play pirate and harass the Japanese instead. I would think it would make the bureaucracy easier as well.

Because the idea of the SSers "blocking the ramp" is a myth. The Japanese are just humoring them at this point. If they wanted to upload whales to the factory ship, they could do so at any time. We saw last year that it was no trouble for the Japanese to continue operations right in the midst of the SSers.

Watson just needs the perception that what they are doing is accomplishing something to keep the fundraising going.

Yes, time to give them their due. Lets face it, their doing stunts you only see in James Bond movies, only their real and being done in the most dangerous ocean in the world. Not bad for a hapless bunch of volunteers. As for Pete, not too many on this planet have a bigger set than he to do what he did, that's for sure. Looking forward to the special about him. This season is sure to bring in a record amount of donations for their cause with such a successful ending to this seasons campaign. And to think of all the setbacks in the beginning only to persevere in the end, I give them all the credit in the world because they truly believe what they are doing is a good thing and I happen to agree with that.

Ummmm, ok! I guess you have never been in the military. Maybe the US should hire this crew to win the war in Middle East.:rolleyes:

More Austin Powers than James Bond.

If they had someone other than Watson running the SSers, they might be considered less of a joke and be taken seriously.

Comparison to "James Bond" is definitely overselling the SS's. :o

Ummmm, ok! I guess you have never been in the military. Maybe the US should hire this crew to win the war in Middle East.:rolleyes:

I am a big supporter of our military and don't know why your even comparing them to the SS er's. Plus I'm pretty sure people in the military are trained to perform certain drills before they are assigned their mission at hand. But when you have just a bunch of ordinary citizens volunteering to just attempt some of these tactics, it takes guts and a lot of it. Yes the word War is in the title of the show and I don't consider them service members of any sort but that does not diminish the courage required to still even attempt all the things that they do not to mention the ones that turn out successful at that.

...The "Admiral", though...he acts like a three-year-old when the communications are down, tossing the phones across the desk. He's clueless about the procedure laid out by his own crewmember..."What's he doing now? What was that? Where are my pants?"

When Watson was voicing snide comments about crew members unable to successfully throw a line to the speed boat, I was hoping someone would say, "How about you giving it a go fat boy?"

It's hard not to root for Pete Bethune though. If he was running the SSers, they may be better received by the public.

Yes, time to give them their due. Lets face it, their doing stunts you only see in James Bond movies, only their real and being done in the most dangerous ocean in the world. Not bad for a hapless bunch of volunteers. As for Pete, not too many on this planet have a bigger set than he to do what he did, that's for sure. Looking forward to the special about him. This season is sure to bring in a record amount of donations for their cause with such a successful ending to this seasons campaign. And to think of all the setbacks in the beginning only to persevere in the end, I give them all the credit in the world because they truly believe what they are doing is a good thing and I happen to agree with that.

I am a big supporter of our military and don't know why your even comparing them to the SS er's. Plus I'm pretty sure people in the military are trained to perform certain drills before they are assigned their mission at hand. But when you have just a bunch of ordinary citizens volunteering to just attempt some of these tactics, it takes guts and a lot of it. Yes the word War is in the title of the show and I don't consider them service members of any sort but that does not diminish the courage required to still even attempt all the things that they do not to mention the ones that turn out successful at that.

You made it sound like they were these brave people taking heroic risks that not many people could accomplish. You then said Pete had a bigger sack then most anyone. I thought it was interesting considering how many in the military do things that dangerous and more every day.

You made it sound like they were these brave people taking heroic risks that not many people could accomplish. You then said Pete had a bigger sack then most anyone. I thought it was interesting considering how many in the military do things that dangerous and more every day.

Yes, people in the military are trained to do what they do hence why I would not feel it is fair to compare them to the SS er's. Pete is not, see the difference? You seem to want to quote me out of context. My comparison was to the average person, not the trained, skilled dedicated fighting soldier. If you feel what Pete did does not take courage, then maybe you have your own agenda that your trying to push across.

For this, at least, I can see where Lodef is coming from. My biggest problem with Watson is how he manipulates his doe-eyed volunteers who are clueless to the real risks involved. Watson will put them in harm's way without thinking twice about it. For them, when they do something courageous, it is more likely ignorance than courage.

OTOH, Pete seems to have a good grasp of the risks and consequences involved - then acts while trying to minimize the risks - or in spite of them. To me that would qualify as courageous, or at least ballsy.

IOW, blind obedience takes no balls, just a lack of brains. You need the brains to fully appreciate the risks in order to get credit for having the balls. Pete certainly has a pair.

I think the helicopter pilot explained things well. He mentioned how detailed and well thought-out Pete's plans were and how he listened to other's opinions (not Watson's, we can hope) and adjusted. One instance was the planned time of the boarding, like 3am or 4am. The pilot said he'd be the one having to go search for him and it would be dark. He told him to make it closer to daylight. I can see Bethun's dilemma there... Darker at 3-4 would make it easier for him to board. He also accepted that there's the chance that he'd "fall" and the jet-ski wasn't able to locate him, so he conceded going later.

I wonder how long until we see Alligator Wars? If you don't know what I am talking about, watch Swamp People. There's no thread for that show yet ! :( I wonder how the animal-rights folks feel about that show.

If you've seen it, doesn't "Junior" remind you of the kid from Deliverance who plays the fiddle ? :D

There's no thread for that show yet ! :( I wonder how the animal-rights folks feel about that show.

If you've seen it, doesn't "Junior" remind you of the kid from Deliverance who plays the fiddle ? :D

I don't know how they feel, but I could only handle the one episode. Double-tap the damn things please. Are you really that hard up that you can't spare an extra bullet?

I didn't mean "Junior" in the post above, it's Jr's son (can't recall his name).

Also, on the most recent episode, Troy's "hired gun" took 15+ shots at a gator. Could you double-tap -- in that one spot they aim for -- a trashing, spinning gator that's most underwater ? :D

I didn't mean "Junior" in the post above, it's Jr's son (can't recall his name).

Also, on the most recent episode, Troy's "hired gun" took 15+ shots at a gator. Could you double-tap -- in that one spot they aim for -- a trashing, spinning gator that's most underwater ? :D

I'm talking about after they get it on the boat.

sorry for the side track - someone can start a new thread for Swamp People.

..... back to Whale Wars.

Anyone else thinking the guy that took over the Discovery headquarters building in MD is associated with the whaling industry?

Anyone else thinking the guy that took over the Discovery headquarters building in MD is associated with the whaling industry?


As soon as I heard he was Asian, I thought you might make that connection. ;)

But I would doubt it since Discovery is probably one of the Japanese whaling industry's biggest allies.

Anyone else thinking the guy that took over the Discovery headquarters building in MD is associated with the whaling industry?
Sounds like you are looking in the wrong direction here.

From an AP story:
According to a story in The Gazette, which covers Montgomery County, Lee was arrested there in 2008 after throwing thousands of dollars in the air outside the building. Lee said he planned the protest because Discovery's programming had little to do with saving the planet.

At the trial, he said he began working to save the planet after being laid off from his job in San Diego. He said he was inspired by "Ishmael," a novel by environmentalist Daniel Quinn and by former Vice President Al Gore's documentary "An Inconvenient Truth."

Sounds like you are looking in the wrong direction here.

From an AP story:

This pages contains his demands.
http://savetheplanetprotest.com/

This is the result of fundamentalism mixed with a mental disorder. The Sea Shepherds have half of that equation.

Yes, people in the military are trained to do what they do hence why I would not feel it is fair to compare them to the SS er's. Pete is not, see the difference? You seem to want to quote me out of context. My comparison was to the average person, not the trained, skilled dedicated fighting soldier. If you feel what Pete did does not take courage, then maybe you have your own agenda that your trying to push across.

No, you said there weren't many on this planet that have the courage he does. I then pointed out a group of people and you responded with in comparison to non-trained people. Well, you should have made that clear.

As for someone with an agenda, that would be you not me. I only checked this out, because of all the traffic this thread seems to be getting. I found the show mildly humorous.

No, you said there weren't many on this planet that have the courage he does. I then pointed out a group of people and you responded with in comparison to non-trained people. Well, you should have made that clear.

As for someone with an agenda, that would be you not me. I only checked this out, because of all the traffic this thread seems to be getting. I found the show mildly humorous.

There are plenty in the military who are even trained that might not have been able to pull that off. I did not want to go there but since you keep harping on it, there you go. You seem to suggest that unless it is combat related, the word courage or a big set need not apply. I disagree. Seeing what you said in your last sentence, I feel I was right on the mark in my previous post.

There are plenty in the military who are even trained that might not have been able to pull that off. I did not want to go there but since you keep harping on it, there you go. You seem to suggest that unless it is combat related, the word courage or a big set need not apply. I disagree. Seeing what you said in your last sentence, I feel I was right on the mark in my previous post.

Obviously I have an agenda. You caught me. I so care whether the Japanese get their whales or the Keystone Kops of the Sea stop them. Judging by the volume of my posts in this thread , I must be trying to influence someone.:rolleyes:

I never suggested that you need to be in combat to courage or a big set. It was you who seemed to imply that this fearless and courageous crew with Pete especially are without peer. I just pointed out that there are plenty of people in the world that are just as if not more courageous. Hell, Bear Grylls has a bigger set than these guys, but I guess your now going to tell me he is trained for this.:rolleyes:

Anyway, I am out. Good luck persuading the AVSers to jump on board with your position and start sending in those donations.

Obviously I have an agenda. You caught me. I so care whether the Japanese get their whales or the Keystone Kops of the Sea stop them. Judging by the volume of my posts in this thread , I must be trying to influence someone.:rolleyes:

I never suggested that you need to be in combat to courage or a big set. It was you who seemed to imply that this fearless and courageous crew with Pete especially are without peer. I just pointed out that there are plenty of people in the world that are just as if not more courageous. Hell, Bear Grylls has a bigger set than these guys, but I guess your now going to tell me he is trained for this.:rolleyes:

Anyway, I am out. Good luck persuading the AVSers to jump on board with your position and start sending in those donations.

No, I just don't like when people try and put words in my mouth as you did again in this post. I think I made my position perfectly clear and it is evident you have a problem with it. Anyhow, thanks for stopping by. :rolleyes:

This pages contains his demands.
http://savetheplanetprotest.com/

This is the result of fundamentalism mixed with a mental disorder. The Sea Shepherds have half of that equation.

Therein is the incredible irony that lodef would quickly grasp for the explanation that this guy must be representing a "revenge strike" from the Jpn whalers, when the reality is that the guy is actually the epitome of the kindred spirit of the SS's, altogether...just a slightly different cause and 1 step more "pro-active" in his measures.

I thought the special on Pete was pretty good tonight. Sure could not have been easy for him being in prison as long as he was after being confined for almost a month on the ship. The thing that came across to me is that he really seems like a likable and down to earth guy which is how he describes the crew of the SS er's as and wanted to make sure they receive the credit on what they are trying to do down there instead of focusing on just himself. He ends it by saying he might return to the Antarctica because there is still unfinished business left. My hat goes off to him after what he has just been through to just even consider about ever going back. I stand by my statement in my original post about him.

I thought the special on Pete was pretty good tonight. Sure could not have been easy for him being in prison as long as he was after being confined for almost a month on the ship. The thing that came across to me is that he really seems like a likable and down to earth guy which is how he describes the crew of the SS er's as and wanted to make sure they receive the credit on what they are trying to do down there instead of focusing on just himself. He ends it by saying he might return to the Antarctica because there is still unfinished business left. My hat goes off to him after what he has just been through to just even consider about ever going back. I stand by my statement in my original post about him.
Yes there is a huge difference in him and "admiral" Watson. So what are the terms of his sentence, is it deferred for 5 years and then he has to go to prison for 2? I do agree it sounds like he wants to go back down there.

For those who don't follow this other than the show, it would have been nicer if Watson would have finished the story of why they kicked him out of SS but now that he's released, they "changed their mind".

So what are the terms of his sentence, is it deferred for 5 years and then he has to go to prison for 2? I do agree it sounds like he wants to go back down there. Sounds to me like a "suspended sentence" here in the US and he's on probation for 5. Yes ? If, during the next 5 years, he breaks any Japanese law, he immediately will be jailed for the 2 years he was sentenced.

Sea Stooges have another new ship. Looks like the Ady Gil's big brother.

http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/blog/22423/japanese+whalers+to+face+new+enemy+in+godzilla/

Sea Stooges have another new ship. Looks like the Ady Gil's big brother.

http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/blog/22423/japanese+whalers+to+face+new+enemy+in+godzilla/

HOLY CRAP!!! That thing is huge! It's like the Ady Gil on Steroids.

I wonder where the Casino is?

HOLY CRAP!!! That thing is huge! It's like the Ady Gil on Steroids.

I wonder where the Casino is?

Lets see if they learned from the last ship of this type. I mean the other wasn't really very good out in the type of waves etc they get.

Yup, the money keeps pouring in. Just goes to show how Whale Wars has proved to be a public relations bonanza for them.

LOL, they named it Godzilla. That's pretty funny.

I had something different in mind when someone called it "huge" a few posts up! It looks like a bigger craft, but I don't think big enough to do substantially different things than its predecessor. It still seems like it could easily be "fragile" going up against steel hull ships (or even blasting through stormy waves with much effectiveness). Hopefully, they have learned the valuable lesson to not initiate combat activities, go down to their last 5 gal of fuel, and then leave themselves wide open/vulnerable for encounter with the subject of their attacks, with such a boat. I don't think a "larger" Ady Gil would make much difference if that scenario got replayed.

Yup, the money keeps pouring in. Just goes to show how Whale Wars has proved to be a public relations bonanza for them.

And somewhat of a PR nightmare for Japan.

And somewhat of a PR nightmare for Japan.
I'm sure they really care.

More info on the ship and better pictures.

http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/12/05/191041_tasmania-news.html

How is that a stealth ship with all that crap on top plus, it is bigger than a small yacht. Then they name it after Godzilla, because Godzilla is real stealthy.

How is that a stealth ship with all that crap on top plus, it is bigger than a small yacht. Then they name it after Godzilla, because Godzilla is real stealthy.

Because it is going to crush the Whalers! ;)

From the Article ....

"Japan also means business. The whaling ships will carry armed members of the Japan Coast Guard to help prevent sabotage by the activists, according to the Japan Times..."

When I checked the SS website a few days ago or more, they had an article suggesting that the Japanese have given up as they hadn't left port yet. It talked about even if they left today, they wouldn't be able to start until sometime in January. Makes it sound like there's a "whale hunting season" and they'll miss it...

Oh no it's Gojira!

(spoiler alert)

http://icrwhale.org/eng/110105SS3.wmv

http://icrwhale.org/gpandsea.htm

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/02/17/japan.whale.hunt/index.html?hpt=T2

(CNN) -- Japan has canceled the rest of its winter whaling season, with a top official reasoning that environmentalists' obstructive efforts made it dangerous for whalers to stay on the high seas.

Japanese Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Michihiko Kano told reporters Friday that the country's government halted whaling because of actions taken by the animal rights group, Sea Shepherd. He stressed that Japan did not want to do so, but felt its hand was forced.

"From the viewpoint of our crew's safety, we have decided to cut short the research whaling at this time, against our will," he said.

The decision marks the first time Japan has canceled its whale hunt in the waters of the Antarctic since 2005, when it began a bitter battle with the animal rights group. What Japan calls its winter whaling season typically extends into mid-March.

On Thursday, Hiroshi Kawamura, a government official in charge of research whaling, said Japan had decided to a temporary halt while it determined its next step -- one that it later ended up taking .

Japan has left its fleet of four whaling vessels in the Antarctic, as it decides what to do about the winter hunt, according to the ministry.

Capt. Paul Watson, who is helming a Sea Shepherd vessel called the Steve Erwin, said early Friday that at least some of those whalers were still in the Antarctic region.

"If it's true, this is great news," said Watson, who heads Sea Shepherd's operations in the Antarctic. "But we'll keep tailing them until they leave these international waters."

Japan annually hunts whales, despite a worldwide moratorium on whaling, under the auspices it is conducting scientific research. The moratorium allows the culling of whales for purposes of scientific research.

Critics call Japan's hunt a cover for commercial whaling, since the whale meat ends up in supermarkets and restaurants. Animal rights groups, from Greenpeace to Sea Shepherd, and the governments of Australia and New Zealand, have publicly condemned Japan's hunts.

"I hope this is the end of whale hunting by Japan," said Watson. "But if they return next year, we'll be here."

Seems like a "Job well done even though you are still an epic douche" award seems fitting. :p

And we thought they drew things out in previous seasons. I wonder if AP will still have the same number of episodes?

And we thought they drew things out in previous seasons. I wonder if AP will still have the same number of episodes? How many times will we hear "Whaling ends now!" and "told you so" ? :D

seems like a "job well done even though you are still an epic douche" award seems fitting. :p


lol.

Yes they can be a bit dirty but it seems that they succeeded, so where are the "hataz" now?

Yes they can be a bit dirty but it seems that they succeeded, so where are the "hataz" now?
What do you want? It's done, the SSers won. Congratulations.

Watson has to be panicking that his revenue is going to dry up, but we'll have to see how long this temporary suspension lasts. If Japan stops whaling, let's hope the SSers have the stones to go after the whaling by Norway and Iceland. Realistically, those two probably harvest enough to meat the dwindling demand in Japan.

If the whaling dries up, I hope they decide to take on something else like cows or some other mammal. It would be a shame to lose the great television we get from watching these boneheads play "war".

Watson has to be panicking that his revenue is going to dry up, but we'll have to see how long this temporary suspension lasts. If Japan stops whaling, let's hope the SSers have the stones to go after the whaling by Norway and Iceland. Realistically, those two probably harvest enough to meat the dwindling demand in Japan.

If the whaling dries up, I hope they decide to take on something else like cows or some other mammal. It would be a shame to lose the great television we get from watching these boneheads play "war".

I was wondering the same thing. What do professional protesters and activist do, once they have won their cause?

If the whaling dries up, I hope they decide to take on something else like cows or some other mammal. It would be a shame to lose the great television we get from watching these boneheads play "war".

It would be great TV to watch them sail those ships around a field of Cows without killing any of them.

I was wondering the same thing. What do professional protesters and activist do, once they have won their cause?

Find the most profitable new cause.

It would be great TV to watch them sail those ships around a field of Cows without killing any of them.

Just remember, if God didn't want us to eat to cows, he wouldn't have made them out of steaks and hamburgers! :D

Just remember, if God didn't want us to eat to cows, he wouldn't have made them out of steaks and hamburgers! :D

Comic Kathleen Madigan says that "if He didn't want us to eat cows, He wouldn't have made them so easy to catch. When's the last time you heard of someone eating a cheetah burger?"

There are lots of new videos and pics from this years debacle here (spoiler):

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


http://www.icrwhale.org/eng/110209SS3.wmv (http://www.icrwhale.org/eng/110209SS3.wmv)

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

http://www.icrwhale.org/eng-index.htm

Now watson can go save the dolphins. Which would be entirely more entertaining because that would be in Japanese waters and jurisdiction.

Effeen, dofeens!!! :p

A report that the Japanese government will scrap all research whaling has been dismissed as a hoax.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/whale-watch/whaling-report-dismissed-as-hoax-20110420-1do4k.html#ixzz1N1ll77Kf

so is it true or not?

Just saw a commercial, new season starts June 3rd.

^^^
Just viewed the Season 4 opener....
Not much action, but the debut of Gojira was pretty cool!
Anyone else still watching?

Yeah, I watched it. Gojira looks a lot like the Ady Gil on steriods. I haven't really looked into the history of this ship... but it looks so much like the Gil, I was wondering if Bethune had anything to do with it.

Yeah, I watched it. Gojira looks a lot like the Ady Gil on steriods. I haven't really looked into the history of this ship... but it looks so much like the Gil, I was wondering if Bethune had anything to do with it.

The Gojira was built prior to the Ady Gil.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Brigitte_Bardot

Brigitte Bardot
In May 2011 the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society was served with a notice from the copyright holders of the Gojira/Godzilla franchise,[citation needed] regarding the unauthorized use of the trademark. The Society promptly changed the vessel's name to the Brigitte Bardot in honor of the French fashion model, actress, and singer whom Paul Watson, the founder of Sea Shepherd, took on an anti-sealing trip in 1977.


As for the new season, I watched the first episode but viewing doesn't get fun until the SS begins their shenanigans.

I've come to the conclusion this show has the most cliche's mentioned in the history of cliche's. It's amazing how many different ways they can say the exact same thing, yet get it in an episode 10+ times.

I finally caught it yesterday. Like most seasons, it started slow. Unlike most seasons, they probably will actually have an effect on whaling.

Also, I got a sense that everything was more professional. I can't put my finger on it, but I am expecting less of the comedy gold that really made the show in the past.

They've had almost no actual affect on whaling. We've seen in the past that the Sea Shepherds are powerless to actually stop the operation, even when they have a boat directly behind the factory ship. Their claim that they caused them to only reach half their quota last year is bogus. The quota is far in excess of the market for whale meat. Even the Norwegians only harvest around 500 whales a year with a 900-1000 whale quota - and they operate "unopposed". The Japanese will harvest what they can sell, then end their season.

If we want the entertainment value back, we need them to head to the North Atlantic. The Norwegians will not be so passive in exercising their rights to defend themselves. Of course that's probably why the SSers will continue to allow them to whale unchecked.

They've had almost no actual affect on whaling. We've seen in the past that the Sea Shepherds are powerless to actually stop the operation, even when they have a boat directly behind the factory ship. Their claim that they caused them to only reach half their quota last year is bogus. The quota is far in excess of the market for whale meat. Even the Norwegians only harvest around 500 whales a year with a 900-1000 whale quota - and they operate "unopposed". The Japanese will harvest what they can sell, then end their season.

If we want the entertainment value back, we need them to head to the North Atlantic. The Norwegians will not be so passive in exercising their rights to defend themselves. Of course that's probably why the SSers will continue to allow them to whale unchecked.
Yeah, that is correct. The quota is a joke and in the past the SSers really haven't done much.


POTENTIAL SPOILERS - THOUGH THIS INFO WAS POSTED IN THE THREAD AND ALL OVER THE NEWS BACK IN FEBRUARY

This year, however, it was reported that the Japanese called off the season early due to the SS being on the factory ships tail from the beginning. This report states that the whale catch this year was estimated at 30-100. (http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2011/0216/Is-Sea-Shepherd-s-harassment-helping-to-end-Japan-s-annual-whale-hunt)


So this year it looks like they actually had an effect.

I watched it Friday night, can't wait for the season to ramp up.

POTENTIAL SPOILERS - THOUGH THIS INFO WAS POSTED IN THE THREAD AND ALL OVER THE NEWS BACK IN FEBRUARY

This year, however, it was reported that the Japanese called off the season early due to the SS being on the factory ships tail from the beginning. This report states that the whale catch this year was estimated at 30-100. (http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2011/0216/Is-Sea-Shepherd-s-harassment-helping-to-end-Japan-s-annual-whale-hunt)


So this year it looks like they actually had an effect.

The declining market can be blamed. Everything else is just PR. They took in over 170 whales this season and in previous years their catch far exceeded what could be sold. Even at "half" of their quota, much of what was caught was basically wasted.

Fortunately for the whales, younger generations of Japanese don't have the appetite for whale meat. Same thing in Norway:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2009/06/-norway-whale-hunting-season-suspended.html

Fortunately for the whales, younger generations of Japanese don't have the appetite for whale meat. No doubt that SS will try and claim credit for that, that is, from an "educational" standpoint.

LOL! They prop fouled thier own boat!

LOL! They prop fouled thier own boat!

That was awesome.

LOL! They prop fouled thier own boat!
So I guess they do know how to use it.

Maybe next week we will be able to hear the people speaking again, Friday night was awful. There were a few times when the music was up so high I couldn't hear the narrator.

So I guess they do know how to use it.

Maybe next week we will be able to hear the people speaking again, Friday night was awful. There were a few times when the music was up so high I couldn't hear the narrator.

Thank goodness I wasn't the only one. I was worried my system was at fault.

That was some HOT background music. I felt I was watching a silent movie with a sociopathic organist.

Thank goodness I wasn't the only one. I was worried my system was at fault.

That was some HOT background music. I felt I was watching a silent movie with a sociopathic organist.

Same with me, via Directv. I actually got up to look if my center channel speaker somehow was unplugged.

LMAO at them prop-fouling their own vessel! Every year them seem to take it up a notch!

Another sign of the brilliance of these people, lets leave 2 small boats out in the freezing cold ocean.

At the end of the episode they really played it up as if all were lost to hypothermia. I guess we were suppose to forget the episode's many post event interviews of small boat team members after they returned to the main ship. :confused:

At the end of the episode they really played it up as if all were lost to hypothermia. I guess we were suppose to forget the episode's many post event interviews of small boat team members after they returned to the main ship. :confused:

Yeah, I agree with the way the ending was edited.

I wouldn't have sat there and waited. Put everyone in one boat, tow the other boat, and meet the Bob Barker half-way. The water was choppy, but it didn't look that bad.

If hypothermia causes poor decision making, do the Sea Shepherds actually become smarter?

If hypothermia causes poor decision making, do the Sea Shepherds actually become smarter?

HAHA brutal!


For them to just sit there in the boat was inexplicable. If they had no way to communicate regularly then sure, stay by the big ice burg. The plan was reasonably decent, but as usual they couldnt pull it off without screwing it up.

Two things I noticed:

While they were stranded, there were countless times that they saw marine life that they are trying to save and ignored them. Quite a bit different response when they were in a dire situation rather than just playing sailors.

Did they really start heading towards the rendezvous point, realize their boat was damaged and they sped back to the ice berg? Isnt that pretty counter intuitive?


Atleast things are actually happening this season.

I never heard the cameraman saying anything about being cold, hmm.

Yeah, I was thinking the terrifically dramatic ending was pretty well spoiled by the interview with Potsy (talking about how he should have used better judgment as they waited on the boats) edited in just a few minutes earlier. Obviously if he was alive to tell about it, that kind of spoils the idea that possibly nobody survived. Chances still seem good that the guy in the bag didn't make it, though...

"These are the last images taken on the boat"

My guess is the battery to the camera ran out of juice.

"These are the last images taken on the boat"

My guess is the battery to the camera ran out of juice.
More likely he dropped the camera overboard while changing to a new recording tape. That would be an act consistent with the rest of this crew. :(

Fail Wars continues with most of the crew dying on some inflatable boat.

Pure Genius!

"After 8 hours at sea, these were the last images taken from the boat"

Just means that those images were the last images before the timer hit 8:00:00. :rolleyes:

Was I the only one hoping that a whale would come along and sink one of the inflatables?

"After 8 hours at sea, these were the last images taken from the boat"

Just means that those images were the last images before the timer hit 8:00:00. :rolleyes:

Was I the only one hoping that a whale would come along and sink one of the inflatables?

That would have been some irony-gold if that had happened.

Yeah, where's Flipper to go get help when you need'em?

It could have been a very real possibility if a pod of killer whales happened across them right then. If killer whales kill whales, would that make them friend or foe to the Sea Shepards? They're a kind of whale, but evil whales...how do you figure that one out?

It could have been a very real possibility if a pod of killer whales happened across them right then. If killer whales kill whales, would that make them friend or foe to the Sea Shepards? They're a kind of whale, but evil whales...how do you figure that one out?
There are much worse creatures they could have encountered:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U87zVkIXNI0

Ruh Roh
http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/2011/07/19/emergency-sos-from-captain-paul-watson-save-our-ship-1263

Ruh Roh
http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/2011/07/19/emergency-sos-from-captain-paul-watson-save-our-ship-1263

I love it. Unfortunately they will not let me donate $0.01 dollars.

So they save tunas also? I thought they admitted to being fish eaters, and only "protecting" mammals.

Did they paint the Steve Irwin? Or at least reinforce the front hull to break ice?

Unless that's an old photo, they're also showing that paint scheme here too, http://www.seashepherd.org/who-we-are/the-fleet.html.

Yesterdays episode the pilot mentioned something about getting a paycheck. I took it along the lines of they get paid for doing what they are doing. I thought this was volunteer work.

The issue of "pay" has been discussed before and alluded to on the show before. Some of the crew do get paid. I presume -- no offense -- the "skilled" ones, i.e. the helicopter pilot, Chris. I'd guess the engineer/mechanic for the helicopter as well as the engineer(s)/mechanic(s) for the ships themselves are paid too.

I might be wrong... This page, http://www.seashepherd.org/get-involved/crewing-at-sea.html, says they're looking for...

"We are looking for navigators, sailors, engineers, mechanics, electricians, carpenters, welders, cooks, doctors, medics or nurses, small boat operators, helicopter pilots, scuba divers, photographers, videographers, computer specialists, and even a few unskilled dedicated Whale Defenders."

and

"Help Wanted - Volunteers Needed! Job Description: No pay, Long hours, Hard work, Dangerous conditions, Extreme weather."

I would think the helo pilot would have to be paid. He's been doing this for several years, and has a family. My guess is, the organization operates with both paid employees and un-paid volunteers. Same as any non-profit.

Paid employees, and red-shirters. ;)

He's been doing this for several years, and has a family. But they do it for the whales, I thought, not for $$$ :D

I hope they don't get the Steve Irwin back, but I have a feeling they will.

They'll get it back... they have supporters (Hollywood types) with enough discretionary cash that will make it happen. Hell, Bob Barker, the Price Is Right guy, gave them one of their current ships they use on Whale Wars and I believe he had something to do with money related to the Gojira (Brigette Bardot).

And since "whaling stops now" may have succeeded to some degree against the Japanese, Animal Planet wants to keep them going with something different now:

http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/07/25/whale-wars-spin-off/

They'll get it back... they have supporters (Hollywood types) with enough discretionary cash that will make it happen. Hell, Bob Barker, the Price Is Right guy, gave them one of their current ships they use on Whale Wars and I believe he had something to do with money related to the Gojira (Brigette Bardot).

The Red Hot Chili Peppers also have donated big.

They could stop whaling faster if they used sticky bombs.

:D

And since "whaling stops now" may have succeeded to some degree against the Japanese, Animal Planet wants to keep them going with something different now:

http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/07/25/whale-wars-spin-off/

Please, please, please talk them into going into the Barents Sea and taking on the Norwegians. They'll only get one season out of it before the entire Sea Shepherd "fleet" is disabled/sunk - but it will be incredible television for that one season.

Please, please, please talk them into going into the Barents Sea and taking on the Norwegians. They'll only get one season out of it before the entire Sea Shepherd "fleet" is disabled/sunk - but it will be incredible television for that one season.

Yeah, I hope they follow the Sea Shepherds around everywhere they go. Year 'round comedy!

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the "war stories" episode and that Fiona crew member.... Shewww !! :D :D

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the "war stories" episode and that Fiona crew member.... Shewww !! :D :D

Was that the specials? I didn't watch those. Are they worth the time?

Was that the specials? I didn't watch those. Are they worth the time?
If you have been watching this show since it came on probably not much. The "After the Whales" special or whatever it was called the host seemed like she was uneducated outside of the questions that were picked to ask.

Yeah Fiona is pretty, and it was almost expected of her to be on. She is the best looking of the chicks on the boats. In contrast to the one they showed on I think the Bob Barker after they announced to the crew the Japenese were leaving, there was a curly hair girl holding another one, the curly one looked like a mess. Although it looked like she was probably sea sick.

Are any of those other places they are going going to be on tv?

Was that the specials? I didn't watch those. Are they worth the time? There were (2) specials. One was pretty much just a re-cap of previous episodes, i.e. "highlights", so if you've watched the episodes already, no, not worth it. I started watching it, started fast-forwarding, and eventually stopped/deleted it.

The other was a sit-down with ~6 of the crew with Lisa Ling (?) who asked various questions, including some that were viewer-submitted. I don't recall any 'new' footage, just add'l answers, explanations, or details of different incidents. It wasn't bad...

You're correct, Lisa Ling hosted the special.

EDIT:
Also, I read that the SS ship that was impounded in the UK was finally released. Looks like we'll have a show for the Norwegian whalers.

It appears that they did not stop whaling.

http://news.yahoo.com/japan-hold-whale-hunts-despite-activist-threats-033401870.html

It appears that they did not stop whaling.

http://news.yahoo.com/japan-hold-whale-hunts-despite-activist-threats-033401870.html

Was there ever any doubt?

Last year was just like every other year. They harvest as many as there is a market for, then they stop. The SS haven't stopped any killing, they just delay it as much as the Japanese allow them to. When they need to harvest right in front of them, they do.

New year, same tricks

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/08/us-australia-japan-whaling-idUSTRE80702G20120108?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews&rpc=22&sp=true

http://www.icrwhale.org/News.html

This show is on again with the Sea Stooges in a new area. It looks like its going to be better than the other one. This one has a lot of contact with the people hunting whales. The 1st episode the whalers set up tables with whale meat etc, eating it right in front of the activists, they even asked if they wanted to try some. Unlike the Japanese, you get to hear from the other side during the show, really helps show both sides much better.

Was this the first episode? I thought this one was kinda low key. The show looks to be on its last leg, if it this is what it is going to be like, I think. It just seemed like they have really "jumped the whale" on this theme. Now their reasoning is that the fishermen should not hunt whales as a source of food, because there is other stuff to eat? At least with the Jpn whalers, there was some sense of a sinister enterprise at work...large vessels for mass-processing and the finger poke to the face that these were "research" operations. Now they are going after Ma and Pa family businesses where whale meat is the backbone of their local economy?

It sucks to see the whales lined up in rows to be gutted, but something strikes me that this is just not a large-scale phenomenon of the likes seen with the Jpn whalers. So something just seems "off" about this season's show, imo.

This is the first episode of the spin off series. The japanese series will start in June I believe.

I think the production crew has abandoned all pretense of objectivity. The narrator comments and such all seemed very biased to me.

Wussies are doing just enough to keep up their fundraising efforts. They finally head up to the North Atlantic where Norway is harvesting twice as many whales as Japan - but they decide to target a small island nation of 46K people (with no Navy).

Take your "war" to the real culprits and lets see how long you last against a nation willing to exercise their legal rights to defend themselves against pirates violating international laws.

They should have Mike Rowe on SAP track narrating with snarky (anti-Sea Shepard) comments on each show. :)

They've been doing this for decades and the best plan they could come up with was to have a "covert operative" smuggle sonar devices in and then have two crew members with a camera crew, who knew they were under surveillance, meet him at the ferry and blow his cover. Then they are all dismayed and surprised they got caught. What did they think would happen?

They should have Mike Rowe on SAP track narrating with snarky (anti-Sea Shepard) comments on each show. :)

Lol... that would be great.

I watched both the Mediterranean one-off and the first episode of the Faroe Islands campaign. As for the SS being considered terrorists I think there are some decent arguments that in their Antarctic actions against the Japanese "Research" ships fall just short of terrorism. IMO, the Faroe Islands action crosses the line.

What we have basically here is vegetarians verses meat eaters (Pilot whales). I hope the Faroe Islands citizen give Captain Pudgy a good drubbing this season.

I watched this on Friday, but didn't see a thread all weekend. Kinda figured that it was so bad that people were not even going to discuss it.

I wish it was better. The show must actually be embarrassing to people that are doing real, legit, conservation work.

I watched both the Mediterranean one-off... That one was "better" than the Faroe Island one. Once again, those presumptuous asses find a fishing vessel and are adamant that even though it's a legally allowed fishing vessel with a quota, the tuna in their floating net thing MUST be over their allowable numbers so they're going to release them.

Finally watched the first episode. LOL, I don't think the SS crew really know what they're getting into, especially with the locals. This could get ugly. (Or funny)

What "input" does Sea Shepherd have in the final release of the TV episodes ? Animal Planet is certainly a "pro" animal group, but not fanatically so like SS ! I suspect they'll still keep what we see to fit their ideals.

That one was "better" than the Faroe Island one. Once again, those presumptuous asses find a fishing vessel and are adamant that even though it's a legally allowed fishing vessel with a quota, the tuna in their floating net thing MUST be over their allowable numbers so they're going to release them.

Just to be precise, they found a boat towing a pen of Tuna after the fishing season was already closed for a couple of days ...
& they ASSumed, based on their ideas of where the boat was, & was headed, That the Tuna in the pen were caught after the close of the season .....

I didn't really like this 2nd episode. They are editing it way too much to create drama, as usual it doesn't go the way they try and make it look to be. The ship might get impounded and the campaign might be over. Really? then what would you have filmed for the rest of the season? Paul might get arrested, they take the passports and nothing happens. Lets show a bunch of bones, what would you expect to see, they have been killing these whales for ever. It does seem its more about raising money, then actually saving whales.

You know, I don't like killing of whales, but they aren't going to be able to change their culture. It's tradition and those Danish people do eat the meat from the slaughter.

At least the real anti whaling campaign starts in a few weeks against Japan. It looks like it will be a good season too.

Them driving the van around with pictures of slaughtered whales was just beyond stupid. The people that live there already know what it looks like SINCE THEY DO IT. Once again, just like with the Japanese whalers, the SS's wont stop whales from dying.

I noticed that the townspeople did a very good job of just ignoring them, at least for a while...

Also, just out of curiosity, I looked up some numbers related to the hunting done with these whales. There's estimated to be anywhere from 1/2 million to a million of this whale species. For the past 15 or so years, the Faroese people take just under 1000. That number won't make a dent in the population of those whales ! In fact, SS should be HAPPY with them as they've GREATLY reduced the number that they kill each year. Just 20-30 years ago, they were taking 10-20,000 !