Aussies Monitoring Japanese "Scientific" Mission
Nevermind the A380...
here's a true Airbus "whalejet." Australia has deployed an
impressive new tool in its opposition against Japanese whaling
operations in the Antarctic -- an A319 narrowbody, outfitted
with advanced surveillance and imaging equipment.
The plane -- deployed along with the Customs patrol cruiser
'Oceanic Viking' -- reportedly conducted a six-hour mission Sunday,
keeping an eye on what is an ostensibly scientific Japanese whaling
program now underway, reports The Sydney Morning Herald.
The surveillance is an effort by the government of Australian
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, to help build an international legal
case against what many believe are illegal whale-hunting
operations. The aircraft performed well -- identifying two foreign
fishing vessels, according to a spokeswoman for Home Affairs
Minister Bob Debus. Poor weather conditions prevented the Airbus
from reaching its primary search area.
The plane is just the latest vehicle to join what has escalated
into an all-out, Cold War-esque spy game in the chilly seas of the
Antarctic. The conservation group Sea Shepherd -- also holding
station in the area, to monitor suspected whaling operations --
reports one of its vessels, the 'Steve Irwin,' was shadowed last
week by a Japanese fishing trawler.
"The Fukuyoshi Maru No. 68 is a large drag trawler," said Sea
Shepherd founder Paul Watson. "It's a fast ship and can easily stay
out of reach of the 'Steve Irwin'. The Sea Shepherd helicopter has
flown over and it is not equipped with any fishing gear. There is
evidence of electronic surveillance gear."
A Greenpeace
International ship, the 'Esperanza,' is also shadowing the Japanese
whaling ship 'Nisshin Maru' -- and, in turn, is being followed by
the catcher ship 'Yushin Maru No. 2,' according to Greenpeace
whales campaign coordinator Sara Holden. With all the spying going
on, it's doubtful anyone has any time to conduct any other
operations, scientific or otherwise... and that's the intent,
Holden says.
"So long as they are not whaling, that's the point," she said.
"The fact we are in day 10 without any whales being taken is
fantastic. We suspect that the orders from Tokyo are for nobody to
see them whaling. This is a delicate time for them
politically."
If needed, the Aussie A319 is ready to fly other missions,
according to the Home Affairs spokeswoman.