Skip to content

Conservation

Whaling fleet prevented from refueling as the fight for whales heats up

by Lucy Brake 18 Jan 2011
Whaling fleet prevented from refueling as the fight for whales heats up

The Sea Shepherd group has managed to intercept the ship that is supplying the Japanese vessels hunting for whales in the South Ocean. The conservation group is planning to prevent the Japanese whaling supply ship, the Sun Laurel, from delivering fuel and other supplies to both the whalers and their factory ship.

The vessels in the Sea Shepherd fleet have changed their course of action to head towards the Sun Laurel so they can converge and intercept the supply tanker. "We intend to stay on it like a bloodhound to keep this ship from delivering fuel and supplies to the whaling fleet”, said Captain Watson, leader of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. "This tanker's support of Japan's illegal activities makes the captain and crew of the Sun Laurel as culpable as the person firing the harpoon into a whale's flesh".

The whaling boats currently hunting in the Southern Ocean will need to refuel and restock supplies soon and the anti-whaling activists will be waiting for them. Any refueling of vessels south of the 60 degrees line is prohibited under the Antarctic Treaty and so the Sea Shepherd intends to closely monitor the Sun Laurel to ensure the international treaty is enforced. ''I think they're desperate for fuel,'' comments Captain Watson. ''As long as our ships can prevent any transfer, the fleet will not be able to extend their killing season beyond the first week in February.''If the Japanese whalers are unable to refuel, they are potentially facing a major threat to their capacity to continue their whale hunt.

This follows hot on the heels of a week of more attacks against the whaling vessels; as the Sea Shepherd fleet has been throwing 'flash bangs' and smoke grenades at the Japanese boats. Captain Watson says the attacks are just the beginning of many that will be carried out in coming weeks.

At this point in the whaling season, the Sea Shepherd believes they have managed to prevent the whalers from actually finding and killing any whales as they have been too busy trying to out manoeuvre the anti-whaling boats. The Japanese whalers are facing what could be their worst Antarctic whaling season in history and there is now every possibility they may return home to Japan empty handed.

Image copyright Sea Shepherd Conservation Society/Babara Veiga


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping