JD Many studies realized by scientific committee of IWC indicate that there are about 300,000 minke whales in the southern ocean and many scientists believe that the number is decreasing. The Institute of Cetacean Research itself says that minke whales do not increase in number.
I saw the Japanese video, before this version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbuq0YEIPNU was put on youtube. The original clearly shows a sudden course change by the whaling boat. The japanese edited version (which you can tell is edited from the sudden zoom at 5 seconds, where the picture becomes suspiciously still, then zooms back at 18 seconds) is clearly a version to hide their course change. They rammed the Ady Gil. If you still doubt it, check the video from a boat in front: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbuq0YEIPNU Thats a ramming, no doubt in my mind. Besides, they were on the starboard side and, to my knowledge, they are supposed to give way. The interesting thing is now the japanese are starting to claim a "navigational error" occurred on their boat just before the collision. Paah-leease.
JD people in glass houses shouldnt throw stones. You can call it Commercial Whaling you can call it Scientific Research. At the end of the day Whales are continuing to be slaughtered.Glenn Inwood was on Australian Radio this morning and when asked about how long the whales take to die, he said "about 80% of them die instantly..." he went on to say "effectively you're HUNTING a wild animal, only in the sea".Who else believes that when a whale is harpooned, it dies instantly. And if this is research, wouldn't you be "tracking" rather than "hunting"?