New Zealand to Japanese Whalers: Go Home!

'Deception' blasted as fleet sails for 'research'

By Jane Yager, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 19, 2007 3:42 AM CST

(Newser) – As a Japanese whaling fleet churned to Antarctic waters, a furious New Zealand prime minister today blasted the "deception" of Japan's claim that the killing ships will conduct research rather than commercial whaling. It would be better "if the Japanese stayed home," said Helen Clark. The fleet will catch over 1,000 whales, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

Meat of whales caught during such expeditions ends up in Japanese supermarkets and restaurants. This year's hunt has drawn particular anger from New Zealand and environmentalists because the Japanese for the first time added the vulnerable humpback whale to the expedition list. The fleet plans to catch 50 humpbacks from an Antarctic whale sanctuary.

Children wave to Japanese whaling vessel Nisshin Maru as four ships leave a port for a hunt that will include humpbacks - a favorite among whale-watchers - for the first time in decades in Shimonoseki,... (Associated Press)

Crew members of Japanese whaling ships raise cans of beer for a toast during a departure ceremony in Shimonoseki, southwestern Japan, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007. Four ships, including the 8,044-ton mother... (Associated Press)

Japanese whaling vessels, Yushin Maru, right, and No. 3 Yushin Maru, depart a port on a hunt that will include humpbacks - a favorite among whale-watchers - for the first time in decades in Shimonoseki,... (Associated Press)

A crew of Japanese whaling vessel Yushin Maru waves upon departure for a hunt that will include humpbacks - a favorite among whale-watchers - for the first time in decades at a port of Shimonoseki, southwestern... (Associated Press)

Japanese whaling vessel Nisshin Maru departs a port on a hunt that will include humpbacks - a favorite among whale-watchers - for the first time in decades in Shimonoseki, Japan, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007.... (Associated Press)

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New Zealand to Japanese Whalers: Go Home!

'Deception' blasted as fleet sails for 'research'

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Obama administration will consider trade and diplomatic penalties

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Conditions had left little hope for the creatures

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Activists Tangle With Japanese Whaler

Sea Shepherd up to its usual tricks; Japan not amused

Japan Uses Disaster Budget to Fund Whaling Hunt

Official defends the controversial move

US Threatens Sanctions on Iceland Over Whaling

Obama administration will consider trade and diplomatic penalties

Antarctic Adventure Takes Deadly Turn

Support crew, boat missing after storm

New Zealand Euthanizes 48 Beached Whales

Conditions had left little hope for the creatures

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