The Minke Connection

Tuesday, 13 January 2015

New Zealand Navy Intercepts Toothfish Poachers

The New Zealand Navy filmed the taking of Toothfish by the Equatorial Guinea flagged “Kunlun” and “Songhua”

The Navy cannot board them without permission of the government of Equatorial Guinea. New Zealand has requested official permission and is awaiting a response. Meanwhile the vessels continue fishing.

We have to ask permission!!!

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11385288&ref=rss

Sunday, 11 January 2015

NEW JAPANESE EXPERT IS NOT NEW, NOT JAPANESE AND NOT AN EXPERT

Japan’s credibility for justifying their bogus scientific research whaling took another blow with recent statements issued by one of their “experts”

Especially amusing was this statement: “The expert attacked the criticism of his country's whaling programme claiming that the criticism is unfounded.”

Why it is amusing is that the “expert” is a man by the name of Glen Inwood and he is neither Japanese nor is he a scientist. He is in fact a New Zealander and a hired public relations flack. And he is not new. He’s being working for the Institute for Cetacean Research (The front group of the whaling industry) for over a decade.

http://full-timewhistle.com/science-27/japanese-expert-criticises-opponents-of-whaling-programme-2501.html

Friday, 9 January 2015

Sea Shepherd Captures Footage of Incredibly Rare “Type D” Orcas

While out on a mission to stop illegal fishing in the remote waters of the Indian Ocean, lucky members of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society on board the Bob Barker captured footage of a species of orca so rare and mysterious they’re almost never seen.

Wednesday, 7 January 2015

New Baby Gives Imperiled Orcas a Happy New Year’s Surprise

Happy birthday baby!

Orca researchers monitoring an endangered population in the Pacific Northwest stumbled upon a happy surprise to kick off the new year when they discovered the birth of a calf.

The newborn was spotted on December 30 by Ken Balcomb and Dave Ellifrit from the Center for Whale Research, who were out observing members of the J pod off the Gulf Islands in British Columbia.

The birth has again raised hope for the future survival of this group of orcas, otherwise known as the southern resident killer whales, who live in three distinct pods (J, K and L).

The calf doesn’t have a name yet, but has been as designated J50 and was reported to be healthy and energetic.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/new-baby-gives-imperiled-orcas-a-happy-new-years-surprise.html

Monday, 5 January 2015

Activists told to lay off: Sea Shepherd’s high seas arrests counter-productive, say marine experts

Really University of Tasmania? They're the only people doing something RIGHT NOW to stop this illegal fishing that's taking place ad you want them to stop and twiddle their thumbs?

http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/activists-told-to-lay-off-sea-shepherds-high-seas-arrests-counter-productive-say-marine-experts/story-fnj4f7k1-1227163757671

Saturday, 3 January 2015

Operation Icefish: Another Net Seized as the Thunder Continues to Flee

The crew of the Sam Simon are hard at work hauling a 2nd gill net that was set by the Thunder. It is hard, tedious work in freezing conditions and rough seas but it is imperative that this weapon of mass ecological destruction be removed from the Ocean.

http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/2015/01/02/sea-shepherd-commences-recovery-of-second-monster-gillnet-1658

Thursday, 1 January 2015

Happy New Year!

Let this be the year the slaughter stops!

Overview

Why are the Japanese killing protected sperm whales???

From the high seas off New Zealand to the intricate demands in the city of Tokyo, The Minke Connection is a spellbinding saga. Matching business versus environmentalism, big organizations versus small and expectation versus experience.

Greenpeace discover that the Japanese research whaling fleet are killing more than the Minke whale. They send American born Canadian John Daroux, lecturer and adventurer, and Carrie Ardley, whale researcher, to investigate. Boarding the factory ship in mid ocean, John finds irrefutable evidence, almost loses his life and becomes Carrie’s lover. Together, John and Carrie go to Tokyo where they evade being poisoned, survive being frozen alive and endure being followed by the dreaded yakusa. The arrival of Greenpeace chief, Mark Stafford, and his beautiful associate, Petra van de Roer, initiates a counter attack that requires John and Carrie to act as bait. Desperate measures are called for as they endeavor to outwit Takeshi Fujiwara, leader of the cult, League of Blood. John and Carrie are captured and tortured. Time is critical. John Daroux must use all his wits and knowledge to save the Sperm whales and himself. Can they succeed?

John Daroux……New Age intellectual, martial arts exponent and Reki master, he takes on the project unprepared for the tests he will experience. While he can handle the threats and challenges from the Japanese, can he handle the passion aroused by Carrie Ardley?

Carrie Ardley……young, attractive Greenpeace technician, committed to saving whales, takes on this task as an adventure. Fiercely attracted to John Daroux, she suffers torture and finds that he puts the project above her well being. Can she ever forgive him?

Mark Stafford……competent, urbane chief of Greenpeace, he takes on his biggest challenge when he confronts the League of Blood and tries to unravel the reason why the giant trading company, Mosaka Corporation, is killing the protected Sperm whales. Can he overcome the threats?

Takeshi Fujiwara……one of Japan’s most powerful businessmen, and chairman of Mosaka Corporation, he controls the lives of many. He holds a secret that dates back many centuries and the time for action is now. Can he succeed or will the persistent efforts of the foreign controlled environmental “do-gooder” Greenpeace upset his carefully prepared plans?