Maru Marooned?

+Wondering where the whalers are?
Sea Shepherd's Captain Paul Watson wrote this on Facebook yesterday...and sounded ever so slightly happy!
"I love it when a plan comes together!
The entire Japanese whaling fleet is still in Japan. The Nisshin Maru has some serious mechanical issues. Gee, I wonder what could have possibly gone wrong! We may never know, but what counts are results and this year the prospects are looking super good for the whales...
Operation Zero Tolerance is on target for zero kills. No whales killed in December and it now looks like there will be no possibility of whales dying in January...
This is my ninth Christmas in the Southern Ocean. Victories are not won without patience."

An eye on the prize

+Meanwhile, in response to recent reports of concern by Oz, NZ, the Netherlands and the US over potential conflicts in the Southern Ocean between SS and the nasty Nippons, SS has invited said concerned nations to have a representative aboard the SS ships, to witness first-hand any such 'incidents'.
These countries claim to oppose whaling in the Sthrn Ocean Whale Sanctuary - a sanctuary they themselves voted into existence - but none is actively protecting the sanctuary.
+With that in mind, the Australian Opposition has called on the Oz Govt to send a vessel to the Sthrn Ocean to monitor the annual whale hunt.
Environment spokesman Greg Hunt has written to PM Julia Gillard saying it's vital an Australian vessel be present in case of any clashes down there. I'd say it's a safe bet that nothing will be sent...

PS: 30 Dec.2012 - Let battle commence! The nasty Nippons are on their way!