Three ships continue to chase the Japanese whaling fleet along the coast of Antarctica.

The Greenpeace ship Esperanza is the fastest vessel and is keeping on the tail of the Nisshin Maru.

The Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise and the Sea Shepherd ship Farley Mowat are running flanking positions in an effort to spot the Japanese harpoon vessels which have been out of sight for days.

The conservation ships are sweeping along the coast corridor with radar and helicopter reconnaissance flights with the objective of ferreting out the positions of the illegal harpoon vessels.

There is no question but that the Japanese fleet is on the run, speeding westward, and there is no evidence of any whaling activity taking place since Christmas day.

"We have certainly made an impact down here against these pirate whalers," said Captain Paul Watson. "They are being harassed and they know they are being harassed."

Meanwhile, Australian Environment Minister Ian Campbell is accusing Sea Shepherd of endangering the factory ship Nisshin Maru on Christmas Day.

To this, Captain Watson responds, "The video clearly shows that it was the Farley Mowat that had the right of way and the Nisshin Maru attempted to ram our ship. Despite this evidence, when the Japanese complain, Campbell goes running to appease Tokyo. Is there no limit to how low these politicians will go to kow tow to Japan over trade agreements?"

Captain Watson has informed Ian Campbell that if he has charges against Sea Shepherd or himself, he will return to Australia to face whatever charges Australia can concoct.

"Stop threatening us and charge us if you believe we are acting unlawfully. Stop posing for the Japanese. Show us you have authority down here in these waters Mr. Campbell, charge us, and then explain how you have authority over me as a Canadian on a Canadian ship but not the Japanese who are in blatant violation of international conservation and Australian laws in Australian territorial waters?"

Sea Shepherd has officially requested the presence of an Australian Naval vessel to monitor the activities in the Southern Ocean. Ian Campbell has refused to send a naval vessel on the grounds that Japan does not recognize the Australian Antarctic Territory.

The question must be asked: Does Australia claim the Australian Antarctic Territory or not?  If not, then the name should be taken off the maps and charts and the area surrendered to Japanese exploitation.

To Senator Ian Campbell
Minister of the Environment for Australia

December 30, 2005

Dear Mr. Campbell,

 

Once again I am officially requesting that you send an Australian Naval vessel to the Southern Oceans to monitor the activities down in this area.

It appears that whenever the Japanese register a complaint you believe them. You need to have your own eyes and ears down here before you start threatening us with charges for crimes we have not committed.

"Stop threatening us and charge us if you believe we are acting unlawfully. Stop posing for the Japanese. Show us you have authority down here in these waters Mr. Campbell, charge us, and then explain how you have authority over me as a Canadian on a Canadian ship but not the Japanese who are in blatant violation of international conservation and Australian laws in Australian territorial waters?"

Are you ordering us out of the waters of the Australian Antarctic Territory?

Are you saying that you have jurisdiction over me as a Canadian, my Canadian flagged ship or any of my international crew?

Are you accusing us of breaking or threatening to break any laws within the territory of Australia?

We would like to know where we stand with Australia concerning our activities in opposition to the illegal whaling operations of the Japanese whaling fleet.

We await your advice on these questions.

Sincerely,

Captain Paul Watson
President and Founder
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society