The battle in the Southern Ocean has been won by the good guys… at least for now. For the last several years, there has been a battle taking place at the bottom of our fragile planet. An age old battle between the forces of good and evil. In this case the good guys… The Sea Shepherds, and the bad guys… the Japanese Whaling Fleet. For years, The Sea Shepherds have tried to halt the illegal killing of whales in the Southern Ocean by the Japanese Whaling Fleet. Most years they do a good job of putting a dent in the slaughter of whales… but just a dent. It’s kind of been like the Biblical story of David and Goliath… with the big, powerful, corporate owned whalers finding ways to avoid the Sea Shepherds and killing hundreds of whales each season. Keep in mind, The Sea Shepherd vessels are manned by volunteers… good people from all over the planet. Folks like you and I that have gotten tired of the senseless killing of whales, gotten off their couches and are fighting the good fight. The Japanese Whalers are well paid employees of huge corporations making millions of dollars (or yen) off of each whale killed.
In steps Bob Barker… what? Bob Barker? Yes… that Bob Barker. Thanks to the financial contributions of Barker, The Sea Shepherds were able to purchase the ship that turned the tide… named the Bob Barker. The vessel is fast, and could keep up with the large Japanese Whaling vessels. The Bob Barker jumped on the tail of the large whale processing ship, and would not allow the harpoon ships to pass off their murdered whales to be processed. Due to the relentless efforts of the Bob Barker crew, and with the support of the other Sea Shepherd vessels… On Feb 16th the Japanese Whalers headed home.
On Feb 17th the Sea Shepherds issued this press release;
It’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!”
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.”
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!”
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