Scientific whaling ... see the Wikipedia article at
Southern Ocean Whale SanctuaryHere's an excerpt (emphasis added).
Establishment of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary was agreed upon by the IWC in 1994 with 23 countries supporting the agreement and only Japan opposing it.
The status of the Southern Ocean Sanctuary is reviewed and open to change by the IWC every 10 years.<1> During the 2004 meeting a proposal was made by Japan to remove the sanctuary, but it failed to reach the 75% majority required (it received 25 votes in favour and 30 votes against with two abstentions).
As sanctuaries only apply to commercial whaling, Japan has continued to hunt whales inside the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary because its whaling is done in accordance with a provision in the IWC charter permitting whaling for the purposes of scientific research (Japan also lodged a formal objection to the sanctuary with regard to minke whales, meaning that, in accordance with IWC rules, the terms of the sanctuary do not apply to Japan with respect to minkes).<2> The catch of the 2005 season (Dec 05-Mar 06) inside the sanctuary included 856 minke whales and ten of the endangered Fin whale. In 2007 - 2008 Japan planned to take 935 minke whales and 50 fin whales.
So ... what were you trying to say about "lethal research"???
And while you are certainly adept at sputtering outrage at people who disagree or contradict you, you have not specifically addressed the salient observable. No charges have been brought against Sea Shepherd in the appropriate international or maritime jurisdictions. Ergo, the illegality of their actions is far from being established. (Of course, in Japanese law they can and I believe have been charged with the heinous crime of "interference with business activity". The horror. The horror.)
As I pointed out, I am not an expert on matters of law. I just read a lot, and while I think you have put together some interesting material (and much of it consistent with other things I have read on the subject) I do not believe it to be a complete description of the pertinent legal arguments. I think counter arguments are quite possible, and indeed counter arguments have been made. And if that disturbs your inner peace, well, you do have my sympathy.
Japan joined the IWC only to placate international opinion at a time when they were busily penetrating markets ... like the automotive market in the US. Whaling was bad public relations back then. (In 1975 as a reporter for the Technique --- Georgia Tech's little newspaper ... I interviewed the Japanese consulate on the subject of whaling, and believe me they were really concerned about resistance to Japanese products stirred up by environmentalist types. Nice guy. Presented his case well.) They have been bitching and moaning and about it ever since. I have little sympathy for their position, and I seek no forgiveness for mine.
The oceans are under calamitous stress. Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace (though they disagree on tactics and there is much personal melodrama behind the scenes) deserve my humble contributions because they try, at least, to do something about it.
Trav