Whale poachers reported in Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary [1]
Monday, January 6, 2014 - 17:00. Updated on Monday, January 6, 2014 - 17:02.
An anti-whaling organisation, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has today reported the sighting of whale poachers inside the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary (an area of the Pacific Ocean near Antarctica).
According to Sea Shepherd Australia, a Sea Shepherd fleet spotted five Japanese whaling vessels inside the sanctuaryand they named one of the whaling vessels as a factory ship named Nisshin Maru.
Sea Shepherd has posted onits website video footage taken from a helicopter showing three dead Minke Whales lying aboard the deck of the Nisshin Maru.
Sea Shepherd stated that its boats were in the area and, “The Steve Irwin, The Bob Barker and The Sam Simon are in pursuit of the whaling fleet, driving them away from their intended poaching grounds, disrupting their illegal hunt, and preparing to shut down their whale-killing operations”.
The incident has enraged Sea Shepherd conservationists. Captain of The Bob Barker, Peter Hammarstedt stated, “Once again, the Japanese government has shown disregard for international law by continuing their illegal whale hunt while the world patiently awaits a decision awaits a decision from the International Court of Justice.”
An emotional Sea Shepherd Australia Managing Director, Jeff Hansen, stated “The Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary has been tainted by the illegal slaughter of these beautiful and majestic Minke Whales by the ruthless, violent and barbaric actions of the Japanese whale poachers. No one will ever know the pain and suffering these playful, gentle giants went through from the time the explosive harpoon ripped through their bodies to the time they drew their last breath in a red sea full of their own blood. One thing is for sure, Sea Shepherd will do whatever it takes to ensure no more whales have to endure pain and suffering at the hands of these whale butchers...”