“In fact, it’s worth noting that the Sea Shepherd’s tactics have not changed in the seven years they’ve been harassing the Japanese whaling fleet.”

That is clearly incorrect. SS’s methods have most definately changed the past few years. In a major escalation of their violent attacks, they have began using launchers to fire bottles of butryic acid. In addition, they have also began hurling flares, at close range, onto the ICR ships, too. They have also began using lasers in attempts to blind crewmembers on board the whaling ships. In fact, they have used these violent tactics to attack ships that weren’t even whaling.
As for the ICR’s scientific research program. Even if JARPA II is suspended this year, there is still JARPN II in the North Pacific later in the year.
As for whales in general. Whales will still continue to be killed regardless of the events in the SO. Norway, Iceland, Greenland, America and Russia are all killing whales and will continue to do so. As well as JARPN II, as I mentioned earlier.

Given so few people in Japan want whale meat; especially Japanese parents who cannot understand why Japanese schools are pressurised, by government, to have it on the menu even though the kids can’t stand it… it really is just obstinacy the Japanese insist on maintaining the senseless slaughter of these beautiful sentient beings.
Anyway, keep up the great work Sea Shepherd.

It is always best to be on the side of the winners — clearly the Sea Shepherds are winners — the Japanese Whaling fleet are the losers.

“Via Captain Paul Watson: “All whaling operations in the Southern Ocean have been stopped due to the interventions of the three Sea Shepherd ships and the 88 international volunteers onboard who have physically blocked the ability of the Japanese to kill whales.” Thank you to every supporter, donor, volunteer, staff and crew who have made this possible.”
53 minutes ago

Me and my wife went to a whale meat resturant last saturday night. We had garlic rice with bits of fried whale bacon. Whale steak cooked medium rare and whale cutlet with salsa sauce. It was absolutely delicious! It turns out the owner has been attending IWC meetings as an observer. She said she had met watson many years ago. She also said he was the biggest liar she ever had the displeasure to meet.
In their press release, the ICR stated, “This issue is not about whaling, but about the safety and violent activities at Sea.” I couldn’t agree more. The issue isn’t about whales. It is about SS’s use of violence which endangers the lives and safety of the crew members aboard the ICR ships. A scientific whaling inspector who works for the Japan Fisheries ministry, had this to say about SS, “No matter what your ideology is, there is no excuse to harm people.” She is absolutely right. There IS no excuse for SS’s violence, period.

Hrmm that is unusual, my comment got swallowed. Anywho I want to to express that it’s great to learn that someone else also discussed this as I’d trouble locating the similar information in other places. This is the first place that helped me understand why. Appreciate it.