Translating the spin

Loyola Hearn: The Canadian government has shown fellow governments such as Japan, Norway and Iceland -- that have also faced direct actions by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society -- that "we're not putting up with it any more," he said.

Translation: We're making common cause with nations engaging in massive whaling operations in defiance of international law and opinion.

Watson has argued that his vessel, registered in the Netherlands, was in international waters and that Europe will be angered by Canada's actions.
Hearn said the vessel was in "Canadian territorial waters" but didn't say if it was within 12 nautical miles (19.2 kilometres) of the coastline. The minister has also said the Fisheries Act gave him the leeway to act outside the 12-mile limit.

Translation: Yeah, they were in international waters.

The arrests were necessary to prevent future danger to sealers, fisheries officers and observers, he said.

Translation: This was an act of preventative detention. Preventing what exactly?

Captain Alexander Cornelissen and First Officer Peter Hammarstedt are alleged to have broken rules that prohibit anyone from coming within 900 metres of the hunt unless they have an observer's permit.

Translation: They were getting close enough to take extremely gory photos of adorable baby seals being beaten to death with clubs.

Canada's fisheries minister denies he has handed anti-sealing forces a win with Saturday's storming and seizure of a militant conservation group's boat.
"No, we haven't handed them a gift at all," Loyola Hearn told CTV's Question Period on Sunday.

Translation: The Canadian people are about to pay in the courts, in the European parliament and in international public opinion for a short term propaganda boost for the Conservative Party in the Maritimes where they are desperate to improve their standing.