TOKYO, Japan -- Japan's fisheries agency reported today that Sea Shepherd activists have interrupted the hunt for whales for the first time this season.
The text of Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research press release follows:
On 4 January the Yushin Maru No. 3 (YS3), a Japanese Antarctic whale research (JARPAII) vessel was subjected to attack by the Sea Shepherd ship Bob Barker (BB). The attack lasted from around 1800 to 2330JST.
Around 1800JST activists aboard two rubber boats sent from the BB approached the Japanese vessel and started to deploy and tow ropes and wires aimed to disable the YS3 rudder and propeller. The rubber boats cut across the Japanese vessel's bow more than 30 times and further deployed buoy-fitted ropes just in front of the YS3 bow 8 times. In addition, during these actions the radar mast of one of the rubber boats came into contact with the YS3 portside bow.
During the attack the YS3 broadcasted a warning message and made use of its water pump as a preventive measure to make activists desist from further approaching. There were no injuries to the Japanese crew. Up to the present damage to the YS3 from the activists' attack has not been confirmed.
Japan's research whaling in the Antarctic (JARPAII) is a perfectly legal activity carried out under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW). The Institute of Cetacean Research strongly condemns the Sea Shepherd and its continued dangerous and violent actions against Japanese vessels and crews in the Antarctic. Once again we call on all related countries including the Netherlands which is the BB's flag State, and Australia, the port State of the Sea Shepherd vessels, to take every measure available to restrain them and deal with their criminal actions in a strict and objective manner according to their international and domestic obligations.
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Reader Comments
3 people have commented so far.The Japenese are lying thrun there teeth. How can people allow them to keep killing whales' reaserch my butt. They sell the whale meat. How can the us and it;s allies allow this to happen. Saction japan and stop buying products made in japan until they stop whaleing. Tax increaes on all impoted opoducts until they get the message.
comment# 1 - Realusa · usa · Jan 7, 2012 @ 7:28pm
Go Sea Shepherd! TAKE EM OUT!
comment# 2 - Chris · Philadelphia, USA · Jan 7, 2012 @ 11:22pm
For the Japanese its normal to lie. They do make good bikes,but come on!!!!! stop killing the wales our gentle friends as well as the sharks and many hundred's of other animals. If I could as well a many, many more people we would do the same. Long live Holland and Australia. People in Japan help them!!
comment# 3 - jckro · Colombia · Sep 25, 2012 @ 8:02am