Japan has pleaded with the Australian government to prevent Sea Shepherd's anti-whaling vessels from leaving port.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade secretary Dennis Richardson says Japan sometimes asks Australia to do things it cannot do.
"They have for instance asked us at times to prevent the Sea Shepherd leaving Australian ports," Mr Richardson told a Senate estimates hearing.
"And we can't legally do that."
Australia would not intervene to stop peaceful protest, he said.
"We have stated that to the Japanese on numerous occasions," Mr Richardson said.
The Japanese government last week confirmed it was cutting short this season's whale hunt, citing harassment from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
Activists from the US-based Sea Shepherd have pursued the Japanese fleet for weeks to keep its harpoon ships from killing whales.
Mr Richardson said Japan's announcement was "encouraging".
"But I think it would be premature to jump to a view that it reflects a change in policy," he said.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8216122/japan-seeks-help-on-sea-shepherd[hr]
Thursday, February 17, 2011
VSO Day
Victory in the Southern Ocean Day for the Whales
t’s official – the Japanese whaling fleet has called it quits in the Southern Ocean, at least for this season. And if they return next season, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society will be ready to resume their efforts to obstruct and disable illegal Japanese whaling operations.
“The Nisshin Maru made a significant course change immediately after the Japanese government made it official that the whaling fleet has been recalled,†said Captain Alex Cornelissen from the Bob Barker. “She looks like she’s going home!â€
The Sea Shepherd ship Bob Barker has been tailing the Japanese Nisshin Maru factory ship since February 9th making it impossible for the whalers to continue their illegal whaling operations.
“I have a crew of 88 very happy people from 23 different nations including Japan and they are absolutely thrilled that the whalers are heading home and the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary is now indeed a real sanctuary,†said Captain Paul Watson.
The Sea Shepherd ships Steve Irwin, Bob Barker, and Gojira will remain in the Southern Ocean to escort the Japanese ships northward. “We will not leave the whale sanctuary until the last whaling ship has departed,†said Gojira captain Locky MacLean.
“This is a great victory for the whales,†said Captain Watson, “but we did not do this alone. Without the support of the people of Australia and New Zealand, we would not have been able to send voyages out for seven seasons from Australian and New Zealand ports. We are grateful to Senator Bob Brown and the Australian Greens Party. We are very grateful to Mr. Bob Barker for giving us the ship that turned the tide in our efforts to force the Japanese fleet from these waters. We are grateful to all our onshore staff and volunteers, supporting members and ship crews. We are grateful to the Chilean Navy and the government of France for their support. It is a very happy day for people everywhere who love whales and our oceans.â€
It’s official – the killing of whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary is over for this season and the whalers did not even take 10% of their quota. Sea Shepherd estimates that over 900 whales have been saved this year.
“It’s a great day for the whales,†said Sea Shepherd Chief Cook on the Steve Irwin Laura Dakin of Canberra, Australia, “and it’s a great day for humanity!â€
http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/news-110217-1.html
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade secretary Dennis Richardson says Japan sometimes asks Australia to do things it cannot do.
"They have for instance asked us at times to prevent the Sea Shepherd leaving Australian ports," Mr Richardson told a Senate estimates hearing.
"And we can't legally do that."
Australia would not intervene to stop peaceful protest, he said.
"We have stated that to the Japanese on numerous occasions," Mr Richardson said.
The Japanese government last week confirmed it was cutting short this season's whale hunt, citing harassment from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
Activists from the US-based Sea Shepherd have pursued the Japanese fleet for weeks to keep its harpoon ships from killing whales.
Mr Richardson said Japan's announcement was "encouraging".
"But I think it would be premature to jump to a view that it reflects a change in policy," he said.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8216122/japan-seeks-help-on-sea-shepherd[hr]
Thursday, February 17, 2011
VSO Day
Victory in the Southern Ocean Day for the Whales
t’s official – the Japanese whaling fleet has called it quits in the Southern Ocean, at least for this season. And if they return next season, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society will be ready to resume their efforts to obstruct and disable illegal Japanese whaling operations.
“The Nisshin Maru made a significant course change immediately after the Japanese government made it official that the whaling fleet has been recalled,†said Captain Alex Cornelissen from the Bob Barker. “She looks like she’s going home!â€
The Sea Shepherd ship Bob Barker has been tailing the Japanese Nisshin Maru factory ship since February 9th making it impossible for the whalers to continue their illegal whaling operations.
“I have a crew of 88 very happy people from 23 different nations including Japan and they are absolutely thrilled that the whalers are heading home and the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary is now indeed a real sanctuary,†said Captain Paul Watson.
The Sea Shepherd ships Steve Irwin, Bob Barker, and Gojira will remain in the Southern Ocean to escort the Japanese ships northward. “We will not leave the whale sanctuary until the last whaling ship has departed,†said Gojira captain Locky MacLean.
“This is a great victory for the whales,†said Captain Watson, “but we did not do this alone. Without the support of the people of Australia and New Zealand, we would not have been able to send voyages out for seven seasons from Australian and New Zealand ports. We are grateful to Senator Bob Brown and the Australian Greens Party. We are very grateful to Mr. Bob Barker for giving us the ship that turned the tide in our efforts to force the Japanese fleet from these waters. We are grateful to all our onshore staff and volunteers, supporting members and ship crews. We are grateful to the Chilean Navy and the government of France for their support. It is a very happy day for people everywhere who love whales and our oceans.â€
It’s official – the killing of whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary is over for this season and the whalers did not even take 10% of their quota. Sea Shepherd estimates that over 900 whales have been saved this year.
“It’s a great day for the whales,†said Sea Shepherd Chief Cook on the Steve Irwin Laura Dakin of Canberra, Australia, “and it’s a great day for humanity!â€
http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/news-110217-1.html