courtesy; guardian UK
The Sea Shepherd crew is once again in the waters off Antarctica to try and stem whaling by the Japanese authority, who claim that the whale killing are part of a 'scientific' experiment. Sea Shepherd has been operating in this theatre now for a few years, trying to halt this practice, which many see as an outright violation of international bans on whale killing.
It is not the first time the conservation group has found itself in hot water. The group is committed to do anything it can, short of illegal activities, to stop the illegal whaling.
In a new skirmish just this week, the Steve Irwin, the flagship vessel of the group, named after famed Australian conservationist Steve Irwin, has clashed with the lead Japanese boat, the Nisshin Maru, the one that is equipped to kill and bring aboard a number of whales.
The Japanese authorities, which have tried in the past to stop the conservationist's effort by labeling their action as piracy, is now claiming that the Steve Irwin has intentionally rammed the Nisshin Maru, while they were in a vulnerable position, as they were refueling with the supply tanker in the area, the Sun Laurel.
courtesy: abc.au
The Sea Shepherd Captain, Paul Watson responded by saying that there were hours of struggle between the two and that it was the Japanese vessel which had in fact rammed the group's smaller vessel, the Bob Barker, named after a famous t.v. personality, who has given wide support to the group.
Captain Watson relates that the group's vessels had lined up to block the Nisshin Maru from refueling. Their position, in between the Maru and the refueler was then attacked by the Maru, which effectively hit the Bob Barker and caused damage to the vessel. The Captain also relates that after ramming the Barker, the Maru continued its offence by pushing the small vessel onto the tanker.
The situation, described as one of the most dangerous since the group took up their activities in the waters off Antarctica, has also brought damage to another small vessel, the Sam Simon, but no one was injured in that clash.
The Japanese whaler is a much bigger and heavier vessel than any the conservation group has in the waters off Antarctica, making any skirmish between them one in which the Sea Shepherd is at a discreet risk. The Japanese authorities' accusation that it was the Sea Shepherd vessel that initiated the ramming is deemed as ludicrous by Captain Watson, since the smaller vessel does not stand a chance to survive such a confrontation.
A similar but less dangerous incident occurred just last week off of the Australian coast, which resulted in a mobilization of the Australian navy. Australia supports the cause of the Sea Shepherd in principle, but contends that all grievances and efforts should go through the international courts.
Although the Japanese authorities claim that they are whaling in the waters off Antarctica for scientific purposes, a purpose to date undisclosed, it is well known that the whale meat ends up in the food chain in Japan, and has even been found in school lunches throughout the country.
Partially sourced : France 24 / 2.26.13
courtesy : abc.net.au
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