Island to host major whaling talks
Saturday 22nd January 2011, 3:00PM GMT.
A Green Peace protest against whale hunting
STATES police officers are on stand-by for protests this summer after Jersey was chosen to host a major international conference on whale hunting.
The International Whaling Commission, which protects whale stocks and regulates whaling, will hold two weeks of conferences and meetings at the Hotel de France in July.
And representatives from Norway, Japan and Iceland – countries which continue to defy a worldwide ban on whale hunting – are expected to be among the hundreds of delegates who will attend the sessions.
The annual meetings always attract demonstrations. In 2006, ten Greenpeace protestors were arrested while demonstrating as the commission met in St Kitts in the West Indies.
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whos going to foot the bill for his one , the organisers i hope you did try to charge JERSEY LIVE for the extra policing
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i can see how whaling is totally relevant to Jersey (not) – why the hell should taxpayers foot the bill for this????
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This is good for tourism hundreds of protesters coming here, and probably as many members of the press. I’m sure the money coming in will be far more than the cost of policing. What else are the police doing anyway, hardly ever see them, well sometimes in town a pair walk around on a Saturday but thats only in the day.
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I think hosting these talks could be a good opportunity for the island. The world’s media will be interested in this subject and this kind of publicity,the island cannot afford. Not only could this be a great opportunity to promote the island as a holiday destination but people around the world may recognize its location and even promote some of the other industries.
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The oceans fish are being depleted, and we have a problem with whaling? Sorry, if these countries choose to eat whale, how can countries who eat fish which are being just as depleted be the social conscience.
I hope any anti-social protestors experience the full weight of the law.
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Great, Jersey attracting world press for the wrong reasons. While there is a positive side to this happening in Jersey there is a very big risk to Jersey’s image. It will only take one piece of negative news and that,s it…..
Oh by the way what is this going to cost
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White Elephant spotting I might understand. Still Tourism must be desperate for buissness. As far as security goes, why not wait till the Waterfront building is finished? Still there is a good moat with limited access points, and the cost of getting to the Island will put protesters off.
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Real Truthseeker.
If you get the opportunity, I recommend you read ‘Whales, Whaling and Ocean Ecosystems’ by Estes et al. (ISBN 978-0520248847). It is a collection of papers written by established scientists, and does not present a view on whaling, rather what we know and what we dont know. Some of the papers I thought were controversial, and it is a highly interesting read. I think it is a valuable resource to anyone who is asking if whaling really is a problem.
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Bluntly what we are doing to the world’s oceans does not bear thinking about.
To say that they should continue eating whale while we continue eating fish is a denial of the fact that we are fishing the oceans clean of life.
Major species like blue sharks or Mediterranean tuna are now so endangered that it is like eating tiger.
But who cares if the only sea food our children will enjoy in their middle age is reprocessed worms!
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Policing a major event like this will put a tremendous strain on policing resources in the Island. If we are to believe the reports in the J.E.P.,with their current limited resources, the States Police find it hard to put out 15 officers over a busy week end, to protect the population. What will it be like when the bulk of the Force is concentrating on the Whaling Conference?
Undoubtedly the States will have to sanction using Mutual Aid from a police force from the U.K. – usually the Devon & Cornwall Police. This will have a big impact on the policing budget and hopefully the Island’s ‘Bean Counters’ (sorry about the pun) will take steps to recoup the costs from the organisers.
There has been comment on the ethics of taking fish stocks from the seas – I am sure most sensible people would agree that things can not go on the way they are. How stupid is the policy that makes fishermen throw ded fish back into the sea, because they are over their quota? The stocks are still being depleated even though the fish are being replaced into the sea – they are dead. Our political masters have to look at an alternative was of preserving stocks.
As for whaling – I am against it if there is evidence that the actions of a few will totally eradicate the species.
I am sure that there will be police officers who have views on this, yet they will be expected to police the anticipated protests without fear, favour or partiality. Never an easy job, yet they will often attract snide remarks from those who may have crossed swords with them.
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i am going to the protests. the police have nothing to worry about, its just a peacefull protest we dont want to start trouble just chill and save our oceans. the media attention will be good for the channel islands.
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Maybe the protesters will help show us how it’s done and shake off a bit of apathy here in Jersey. We like to grumble on about things, but what do we ever do about it.
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The Real Truthseeker is obviously talking from a position of utter ignorance, both in terms of marine biology and associated international treaties and with regard to the matter of lawful protest.
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Apart from the high cost of taking my holidays in Jersey, this just gives me my another reason for given Jersey a miss, not just for this year but untill further notice.
It is cheaper now to go to most of Europe, and at least we are covered for hospital treatment etc.
Very expensive to be ill or have an accident in Jersey if you haven`t arrange proper travel insurance. Warmest place in the British Isles, I wonder?
Colin
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Colin (14) you are working for the whaling companies! Or are you on the wrong discussion boards. Don’t think this conference is going to have a negative impact on visitor levels. Probably the opposite.
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#3 Maybe, maybe not. Thing about ‘professional protesters’ is unless they are somehow independently wealthy then they can’t possibly make much money cause no job is going to allow you that amount of time off. Will they be able to afford to spend their money in Jersey?
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Japan is an international disgrace – driving whales and tuna to extinction.
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Painting “Research” on the sides of the whaling vessels and continuing the whale slaughter a year after
the global commercial whaling moratorium goes into effect, is well – think about it, a pretty slimy way
to disrespect and treat with utter contempt the IWC and the entire conservation movement.
Maybe the only difference with the “Research whaling” is that they take some notes and hold up banners
saying things like “We’re collecting samples”.
- Japan has already admitted to member vote buying for the IWC
- Japan has acknowledge and admitted to the whale meat scandal
- Japan admits to breaching blue fin tuna quotas worth millions of dollars
Therefore, Japan has already discredited themselves, so one should never believe a word of the ICR and
the fisheries department as it is probably full of untruths.
The International Whaling Commission’s (IWC) scientific committee has rejected this cynical subterfuge
several times. In 2007 the full IWC formally asked Japan to stop its lethal research (Resolution 2007-
1). Japan has said no. …
… Japan is unique but not privileged. It cannot make its own rules and enforce them by violence. The
oceans are not Japan’s for the taking. …
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Some of these posts really bug me… It doesnt matter if Whaling isn’t ‘relevant’ to Jersey, it is important in the bigger picture to protect these creatures and prevent them being hunted to extinction.
Why does everything have to be about ‘who’s going to pay for this’ or ‘this will mean more policing’.
Just accept that this is a good thing to be doing and necessary for the survival of different kinds of Whales!
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Blue Knight #10
You have forgotten (Freudian slip maybe) the islands Honorary police force.
Hundreds of men and women who are trained to work with their SoJP colleagues on such occasions.
Look at Jersey Live and the World cup, be it freeing up SoJP from traffic duties and operating CCTV to standing alongside SoJP with their body armour on I am sure the HP will again be serving their community free of charge.
Probably unthanked by those who have forgotten what they do or just plain don’t want to know.
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Can’t they do it Japan?
in Jersey we are greedy and try to do petition so fisherman can fish as much as they want.
At least putting dead fish back in the sea will probably feed a few creatures deep down under.
If fisherman had reason, they will change the way they fish.
Never seen a Whale in Jersey, SO ????
Policing cost from tax payer. Why not?
I would rather pay policing for Jersey Live which attract people every year and advertise Jersey as a young place to have fun and not an old boring place for people who celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.
Cant even advertise VAT free island as a retail paradise cause the politician can’t even manage to use the billion of pound going in and out of the island.
States are amazing, when times are difficult for retailers they create (as I believe they have shares in the post office)Ship to me, who kills local Businesses.No GST under import goods under £400. Why do I buy everything from Amazon this days????
They should host something like human right convention, as they probably won’t be allowed due to all the discrimination over here. You have cash: you are welcome, you don’t: have a shit job for 5 years, Stay in a rubbish and expensive accommodation where the landlord do their Christmas shopping with the deposit that you will never see again.
I love whales but come on…
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Brilliant news. Well done to all involved. This is great news for Jersey hotels and underlines the importance of bringing this sort of event to Jersey.
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Whales are mammals…Not fish !!!
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People seem to miss the point here – not unusual!!
Goggle or watch the film “The Cove” and then make your petty, uneducated and puerile comments.
I hope they do hold this conference in Jersey and that the protestors turn up in their droves (supported by locals – doubtful judging by some of these remarks).
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PJG – As much as I admire many people in La Police Honorifique, I really don’t think they are trained, organised or equipped to deal with the sort of disorder that might be anticipated at a Whaling Conference. I await your reply with interest.
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Love the way the JEP has to make every story sexy these days.
The facts as I see them are below.
No one in Jersey agrees with whaling – but nobody will care enough to go and shout about it.
There will be no violence – but there will be a 10,000 meter exclusion zone and heavy police presence – which, even though the police are being paid for a normal days work, will be chalked up as a half a million pound opperation.
This does not effect Jersey in any way whatsoever – it’s just an arbitrary destination for a conference.
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19. Chill
Whilst I agree 100 % that what is happening to the whales is wrong, I also agree with people saying why should we foot the bill for this!!!
What will my hard earned tax go to pay for (apart from the useless layabouts who do absolutely nothing for themselves or the community), it will be the huge police overtime bill, when as an island who is skint, we could really do without.
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The world doesn’t end at the Minquiers. Hosting an occasional UK-national or international conference is part of the job description, if Jersey wants to be taken seriously and to be known for something else in addition to finance.
From a more selfish angle, if these visitors enjoy their few days in the Island, some may even return with their families, and/or recommend Jersey to their friends – invaluable publicity.
The organisers probably never imagined that the local nimbies would even object to conferences. Hopefully, both participants and protesters will find that most Jersey people are friendlier than that.
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Great news
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Re:- 15 Protest-Lplates Post
There is no doubt that this avent will attract great numbers of protesters etc. However,my experience around some previous events of this type has not been too good. Regretfully, these type of protests can attract a number of people who will not have money to spend to boost Jersey`s economy. They will be intent on causing trouble and great disruption to your normal daily routines.
I have had first hand experience of being trapped with my family in a UK town during animal rights protests and I would not wish to subject my family to some of the dispicable actions by some so called protesters.I hope all goes well and peacefully for you all. I will not be sailing into Jers during this time, not worth the risk.
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It is doubtful that there will be wide spread disturbances from the protesters. After all, it is expected that there will already be plenty of policemen amongst their numbers already ….
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@28 am with you Jerry and who knows we may be able to get support and advice from real campaigners on how to campaign against things we don’t like which happen on our own doorsteps.. bigger picture folks bigger picture…
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Whats wrong with whale hunting? They live happy free lives then are killed pretty quickly. I think we should have a chicken protest over here.
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Veggie @ 33
So true, mon vie. I always feel a little sympathetic for the poor little cluckies when I drive past them on my way to Holme Grown on Sunday lunchtimes, knowing that in just a few minutes time my daughter will very likely be devouring one of them. Still, at least they’ve been free to run around and indeed were Happy Hens, as it says on the tin. It’s the poor little battery hens I really feel for, a truly vile practice.
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Who will do the important police jobs like arresting young kids on mopeds, ripping people off with traffic fines etc? How will the states police cope with actually ‘policing’ for a change?
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Jerry not much hope of that I’m afraid what with 20% VAT and 5% GST to contend with on top of already high prices….
Let us hope that a worldwide ban on hunting whales is implemented with no loopholes in it.
Should give the local police a good training exercise in how to hand these sort of events. No doubt UK bobbies will be drafted in for moral support.
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Blue Knight#25
The Honorary police now receive training from the SoJP in many disciplines, Officer Safety being only one of them (from recognising aggressive postures etc to use of handcuffs, transport and cell placement of violently resisting offenders).
They and their vehicles when on patrol (sometimes in town in the early hours at weekends, you know when everybody says you can’t find a policeman) are linked by radio to the Rouge Bullion control room and are regularly used for all manner of events from policing noisy parties to backing up SoJP units and transporting offenders to Rouge Bullion (especially helpful for on foot beat SoJP officers that some say don’t exist). St Helier HP I am told, is expecting a new replacement van with a two man cage in the back I am sure that’s not just to take wayward cows back to their field.
Who do you think will be coping with any traffic disruption and attending RTCs when as you say “What will it be like when the bulk of the Force is concentrating on the Whaling Conference?”
The first Jersey Live bought similar concerns and a contingent from the Isle of Man police were shipped in at great expense (but much cheaper than “usually the Devon & Cornwall Police”)
Jersey Live, a regular annual event, is now nearly completely policed by HP.
Yes, the HP is made up from a broad cross section of the community including some who for reasons of age and physique would definitely not be front line material (and are not used as such), but some are extremely capable, and “will” be standing alongside their SoJP colleagues at such events. Not all HP are the stereotyped retired welly booted farmers some like to make them out, some are young and their fitness would put some of the overweight SoJP coppers one sees to shame.
I can recall recently when 50 to 60 Guernsey Murratti fans had to be escorted from Springfield to the docks through town streets lined with jeering Jersey fans, some violent!
Yes! The HP were there with their body armour on side by side with the SoJP.
We live on an island and unlike mainland forces cannot make a phone call to our neighbours whose already mobile patrols can assist in minutes. The island has contingency plans for many major emergencies and the men and women of the HP are a large part of those plans.
But as I said before, some just don’t want to know, do they?
I hope this helps to bring you up to speed.
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So far, there has not been one sound argument to stop whaling.
If the world were completely vegetarian, and the whaling continued, different story.
So please, can anyone put forward an argument to stop whaling (pleease note: extinction is not aqn argument since Japan targets species which are not facing extinction – though not sure about the Nordic hunting patterns).
Besides, I did say a coherent arguemnt, rather than left-wing propoganda twaddle.
The silence will be deafening.
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Flymo # 31 Meeeow.
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http://www.SeaShepherd.org a lot of information here.
And as Trinity bob said watch “The Cove” and you will understand the weight of this problem that discussion will never change.
Paste this on youtube:
” Pt 1 Captain Paul Watson – Inspiring Speech, Story About What Drives Him, Sea Shepherd Part I of “. This is the person who should be speaking… Wonder if he is on the speaker list?!
We all need to open our eyes and start doing something about this.
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My views on whaling is that it is 100% wrong and it is a disgusting practise that must be stopped. I can’t believe how many people seem to think that this issue is irrelevant to the island.
38. Real Truthseeker – i’m interested to hear whether your one of these people who only disagrees with the torture and killing of fluffy, cute animals??
But back to the point, putting aside the moral/ethical arguments against whaling – it’s illegal. Good enough reason for you????
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Actually I would have thought we could make money out of this? The island as a whole that is.
But why Jersey?
And the award for the important meeting held in the most random location goes to!
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I think that you need to look at the wider picture here.
In the late 1930s more than 50,000 whales were killed annually – just as a comparision, and noting that more than 1 species of whale is hunted – the current population of North Atlantic Minke whales of c. 100,000 individuals. This scale of hunting was not sustainable and commercial whaling was finally banned in 1986.
The issue with the current whaling nations, that take animals according to quota and for ‘scientific reason’ is that (if you ignore all the other animal welfare issues) they are lobbying to restart full commercial whaling efforts.
These nations are ‘vote buying’ in an effort for this to happen, and should they win the vote it would mean back to the days of 50,000 whales a year being killed, and this would be an extinction issue.
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PJG # 37. Okay, I give up. La Police Honorifique are great and the States will be able to save tonnes of money by not having to call in Mutual Aid from Devon & Cornwall because they be able to call on the Honorary Police. I wait with baited breath to see the news reports on Sky.
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Panic.. this is a conference about whales? Do you really think they are going to start knocking ten bells out of each other or anyone else with this kind of conference?
Get a grip, when people understand how desuetude is the norm over here and we get human rights activists challenging that then you can really start to worry ( If you are amongst the many who think its acceptable)
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Truthseeker – read up on whaling. read the book i recommended. Then when you have an informed opinion you can tell us all why whaling should not be stopped. If you are indeed a truthseeker, you will do your best to be informed about both sides of the argument. At the moment, you see to have failed to seek anything
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#42 ‘But why Jersey?
And the award for the important meeting held in the most random location goes to!’
Kage, it may surprise you to learn that Jersey was once involved in whaling.
As a child I was aware of a number of properties in the island which had whalebones displayed as prominent features. Some may still exist but are probably hard to spot.
If there are still any, visits to them should be arranged for interested delegates. After all, they would appear to have two weeks to kill (as well as whales).
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I cant believe jersey is hosting such an event…fair enough these events are great for local business…but whaling convention with the only countries who allow such a thing!!!
Whilst travelling i worked for a company who anchored support for greenpeace and my main position was to talk with people and get supportto prevent whaling!! There is over 30 tonnes of whale meat sat in cold storage as nobody in Japan consumes it…it is sold on black market stalls etc at ridiculous amounts! 80% of the Japanese public are against whaling! These large ships also drag up these whales and do something that is known as finning…this is when they remove the fins and throw the animal back into the water leaving it to die a slow and painful death in order to get the most expensive part of the creature!!
If we are going to allow these people into our island we are just asking for demonstrators and fighters against this kind of cruelty to arrive in the island ….and they will….to cause chaos which we the taxpayer will have to pay for!! Another stupid and ill considered decision by the states!!
There are a million other conventions that we could hold in jersey that would not cause such ill feeling around the world….do you really think people are going to watch the telling and think…oh jersey…isn’t that the place that held the whaling convention…lets go there!! I DONT THINK SO!!!!!
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I’m not sure why people are so annoyed that the conference is being held in Jersey, at the end of the day it is going to pull in more visitors to the island which isn’t a bad thing considering the state that the tourism industry is in.
Jersey was not specifically chosen to hold the event, a different place is selected each year. It’s just a private commission that have booked a conference room at a hotel that they themselves pay for. Whaling is a global issue and it’s simply ignorant to think that the island has absolutely nothing to do with it.
If anyone actually read the full article in the JEP it would be noted that the commission has it’s own security present at the event and the police are only to be on standby. I can understand why people are annoyed about their taxes being utilised this way but since when have we had any control on how our taxes are spent?!?! I find it irritating how much cash is spent on policing Jersey Live which I do not attend or have any interest in but again, looking at the bigger picture, it’s an event which is a good thing for the island. I’d also rather that my taxes were not spent on hideous monuments around St Helier but unfortunately I can’t write to the States and ask that my hard earned cash isn’t put to that use. That’s life.
47. Jaime – The Commission are not in the wrong as a whole, they were responsible for bringing in the moratorium in 1986 to ban commercial whaling, it is the Icelandic, Norwegian and Japanese governments that choose to ignore it and are fighting and buying votes for whaling to be commercialised again, these are the real bad guys. The focus of the conference is to try and bring these countries under the control of the commission whose aim is essentially to conserve the whales. We can only hope that at some point they will implement a complete ban on whaling.
I believe that there is a silent, lawful protest being organised which I shall attend, I don’t believe this to be anti-social behaviour or an attempt to cause trouble when it’s the public’s democratic right to do so. The amount of people I see commenting on these pages time and time again, whinging and complaining about everything but not doing anything about it and continuing to moan from behind their computers when others feel strongly enough to get up and do something about it. Why don’t the people who don’t want the event held here, set up their own protest about it??….. somehow I don’t think that will happen, considering we’re in the age of the ‘keyboard warrior’.
Despite all of this, what it comes down to is that I just hope people continue to care about this issue and fight to save the whales
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PJG “Jersey Live, a regular annual event, is now nearly completely policed by HP.”
Au contraire monvieux. The HP drift around outside the festival site,’directing traffic’ and basically ignoring the real issues of drunk & disorderly behaviour. Inside, the festival site has paid police and security guards doing the actual work.
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They probably thinking that people will see Jersey as a better place after Haut de la Garenne.
May be a cover up, but instead of spending money on police for some whales no where to be seen in Jersey, They could spend that money on the Island’s homeless shelters or pensioners.
Sort out your dirty laundry first instead of putting your nose in your neighbours.
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I can understand the concerns of some people regarding the demontrators, and the possibility that some of the hardcore demonstrators may be connected with violence.
Is it too much to ask that these people be identified and prevented from traveling to Jersey, the authorities must know the troublemakers.
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Green Peace, I joined many years ago, but have now added my support to Sea Shepherds as they seem to be a lot more active in Saving Whales than Green Peace at the moment!
Why are they coming to jersey, well they know we are all millionaires, and our streets are paved with gold! They know some of us shall empty our purses/wallets to help.
Shame we don’t feel the same way about the children who suffer here, due to bad parenting/abuse etc..
Maybe next week I will stand outside BHS with Banners to say no job,rent to pay,and 2 kids to support. Can someone loan me a tin? (to put the pounds in!)
Should anyone come along with a petition I shall charge them 5 pounds for my signature!!!
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J-Cat#49
What a surprise then, that there were more public order arrests at the last Jersey Live by Honorary police than SoJP!
And were it not for the HP “drifting around outside the festival site,’directing traffic”
Who would? And who would pay for them?
Blue Knight#44
Oh ye of little faith (or/and up to date intel?)
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J-Cat I draw your attention to a post of yours from an associated thread
Oh no, people who care enough about something to actually do something about it..
Do you?
If so the HP need recruits.
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Just what are the whingers on here expecting to happen when this conference arrives. Wide spread anarchy and looting by the sounds of it. Time to get a grip, or is it just another excuse for a good old whinge and moan.
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