War: defend or kill endangered ocean life? Who stands between 750-ton whale-killing machine w/ military-class LRADs & its prey?

"Whale Wars: Season 2" is coming soon, in the week of Dec. 29. 2009 - "This time they've gone too far".

Don't you think that there must be someone with great courage to stand between 750-ton whale-killing machines & their prey to end Japanese whaling once & for all? Ocean depletion is faster & faster...

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The Discovery Channel program portrays the Sea Shepherd crew as heroes standing between “a 750-ton whale-killing machine and its prey. Whale Wars follows the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society as they seek to end Japanese whaling once and for all.”

Sea Shepherd Battles Japanese Whalers in the Ross Sea

Japan Deploys LRAD Against Sea Shepherd Helicopter

The Japanese whaling vessels has deploying LRADs (Long Range Acoustic Devices) on the Sea Shepherd. LRAD is a military-class acoustic weapon that blasts earsplitting noise, the LRAD can produce permanent hearing damage and temporarily disrupt vision. Being within 100 yards of the device is extremely painful.

Sea Shepherd Offers a Day of Truce to Japan for Christmas

December 24, 2009 - Captain Paul Watson today sent a message to the Captain and crew of the Shonan Maru No. 2 wishing them and their families a Merry Christmas:

“Shonan Maru No. 2, Shonan Maru No. 2, this is the whale conservation and protection ship Steve Irwin. This is a message from the captain and crew of the Steve Irwin to the captain and crew of the Shonan Maru No. 2.

As much of the rest of the world enjoys Christmas dinner and the companionship of friends and family in the comfort of their homes, our two crews are in the heavy seas of the Southern Ocean intent on two opposing missions. You, to protect the whalers from us and we, to protect the whales from you.

We may be enemies, but on this day, perhaps we can stop and reflect that despite our opposition on the high seas, we are all human beings, and all of us would rather be somewhere else if not for our duties and responsibilities.

Therefore we on the Steve Irwin would like to express our best wishes for your safety and health. We share the dangers of this unfortunate conflict in these remote and hostile seas and for that reason we share many of the same concerns.

We wish you all the best for this Christmas day and we share with you the hope that no one is harmed over the next few months as we each pursue our objectives, duties and responsibilities.”

The message was translated and read in Japanese over the VHF radio Channel 16. The Japanese crew on the Shonan Maru No. 2 have not replied.

Gaiam and Discovery Communications release Whale Wars: Season Two

Whale Wars: Season Two - This critically acclaimed Animal Planet series highlights the intense drama of Sea Shepherds’ battle to save whales and put a stop to the controversial practice of whaling once and for all. Viewers follow the international crew of staff and volunteers of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society as they brave the icy climate of the Antarctic region aboard the Steve Irwin. To stop the whaling ships that capture and kill whales, ship Captain Paul Watson and his crew deploy a variety of methods and tactics while bringing international attention to the practice.

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Photos courtesy of Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, Sea Shepherd, Ecorazzi, and AFP

Original Source: Environment News Service, Sea Shepherd, and CNN