What To Be Gained?

The dire state of Japan's whaling industry has been highlighted recently in a Greenpeace analysis.
It shows the nasty Nippon whalers sell so little whale meat they are almost wholly dependent on taxpayer help! Sadly, many Japanese have no idea of the financial support they're getting. The industry has dug deep into government subsidy schemes to prop up its fortunes and set up its vital factory ship Nisshin Maru to run for another decade.
And with the return to power of Liberal Democratic Party leader, Shinzo Abe, as next prime minister of Japan, observers see a strengthened pro-whaling lobby in Tokyo (Shinzo Abe's own electoral base was the whalers' port of Shimonoseki).
Prior the (very late) start to this year's Antarctic whaling season, Nisshin Maru underwent a partial refit to increase its fuel efficiency, cut crew and add a new processing line to produce ''retail-sized'' 1kg packages of whale meat, instead of 15kg wholesale packs.
Funding for this refit was obtained by the Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR) under the Profitable Fisheries Support Project, a Fisheries Agency of Japan scheme designed to help fishermen modernise. In return, ICR has undertaken to bring home about 2400 tonnes of whale meat each year - that's about 300 Antarctic minke whales, and 200 from the North Pacific.
Having received nearly $30 million from a government tsunami relief fund last year, the whaling industry has also secured government guarantees to cover 90% of its operating losses for the next three years.
Greenpeace says the existing subsidies, deficit guarantee and modernisation funds for Nisshin Maru mean the industry has effectively been nationalised. And for what? In recent years, despite much lower catches due to pressure by Sea Shepherd, the Japanese frozen whale meat stockpile has remained little changed at about 5000 tonnes - that's two years' worth of consumption.
The ICR recently announced it would try to increase sales by direct-selling to restaurants and consumers, targeting middle-aged and elderly nostalgic whale meat-eaters.

[with thanks to Andrew Darby, NorthWest Star]

Have Another Drink, And Think About It...

So...we start 2013 by reiterating to the government what we - the voting public - want...and the government is STILL "thinking about it".
*sigh* Happy bloody New Year.
A Herald poll published yesterday shows almost two-thirds of New Zealanders support lowering the drink-drive limit and bringing the country in line with others. But despite police support and figures suggesting the move would save lives, the govt is still weighing up the benefits.
The survey shows 65% support cutting the limit from 80 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mcg.
National road policing manager Superintendent Carey Griffiths says drivers at or around 80mcg were too drunk to drive safely: "For most people two drinks is well under 50mcg. It's not about stopping people enjoying a drink, it's about reducing the risk to everyone."
And for all drivers under the age of 20, a zero limit is in place.
The Ministry of Transport says in the past four years, 20 people have been killed in road accidents involving drinking drivers just below the current 80mcg legal limit.
Across the Tasman, Oz has a drink-drive limit of 50mcg.
University of Canterbury senior lecturer Eric Crampton is studying a drop in the limit, but says further analysis is needed, to determine how many people were driving within the 50mcg-80mcg range. The govt will not decide on lowering it until more research is complete.
Meanwhile, provisional stats released for 2012 show our road toll - albeit the 2nd lowest in 60yrs - rose against that of 2011. Alcohol was a factor in 31% of NZ's fatal crashes...
...but let's just "think about it" for another couple of years, huh?

A Whale Of An Oversight?

At Christmas-time, while perusing books in an end-of-line discount bin, I saw anti-whaling activist Pete Bethune's 2010 book Whale Warrior.
Sad to see it slashed in price just to rid it from shop shelves, but such is the way of all mortal flesh and paperbacks...
It told of Bethune's actions and antics in the Southern Ocean with Sea Shepherd, the ramming of Ady Gil and subsequent boarding of the whaler by Bethune, his arrest, trial, 5mths' solitary in maximum security prison...
There's also the "interesting" variation of the truth, when describing what REALLY happened with the sinking of Ady Gil. This has since all come out in the press, on his Facebook page and in various slagging-off sessions between himself and SS's Paul Watson...in his book, Bethune writes Watson is "one of the century's great leaders" and a "visionary". But on Facebook you'll find the author's true feelings: that he feels Watson is "dishonest" and "morally bankrupt". Meanwhile...
Jump to the website of Bethune's organisation Earthrace Conservation, and what do we find? A novel-like narrative of a discussion between himself and a mysterious man named only as 'Andrew', who is intent on buying the movie rights to Bethune's book! Bethune tells the guy that his tale was already covered in Whale Wars Season 3, so there's probably no point in retelling the same story. But...
'Andrew leans forward. "Look Pete, I’m not here to fuck around. I think there is a movie in it. I think it will help the anti-whaling cause. And I want to know if you will sell me the rights." There is a harsh Aussie twang in his accent - like he went to a rough school in the outback somewhere. I consider the large man in front of me that I know so little about. There is a certain brashness and confidence about him. He seems to dominate the room. Maybe there is more to this guy - although he hardly seems like a Hollywood mogul - a rough and ready Australian trying to make it in the movie business perhaps?' etc etc etc
To cut a long story short, Bethune needs $70,000 to fund a campaign in Africa, so he sells his book's movie rights to this mystery man. For $70,000. That's it: $70K!
'Two days later, $70,000 turned up in our account. To be continued...'
Hmmm, makes a good read, 'cept for two wee flies in the ointment that I can see.
(1) Bethune's kissed away any future earnings from a Whale Warrior movie, merchandising, residuals... for just $70,000. Like so many of his past actions, Pete has shown how impetuous and reckless he can be, without considering all the possibilities.
(2) The title Whale Warrior has already been used for a 2010 movie about Pete's one-time buddy, Sea Shepherd's "dishonest" and "morally bankrupt" Paul Watson! Duuuhhh!!!
Like Pete says: 'To be continued...'