SYDNEY, Australia (1 Jan 2007) — The Greenpeace ship Esperanza has arrived in Antarctic waters and has begun hunting for the Japanese whaling fleet. Japan plans to kill 935 minke whales and 50 fin whales for what it says is scientific research. Greenpeace says it is commercial whaling in disguise. The Esperanza is expected to be joined in the Southern Ocean by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society ship Steve Irwin within the next few days. The success or failure of the crews' mission now rests on finding the Japanese fleet. The Esperanza crew is putting in a lot of time and energy looking over sea charts to try to predict where the fleet will be. In previous campaigns, it has taken the crews up to three weeks to find the whalers. Esperanza expedition leader Karli Thomas said finding the fleet could depend on a tip-off, fortunate spotting on the radar, or a stroke of luck. "The Japanese have been down here for about two weeks, so I assume they have started whaling, which means it is critical to find them as soon as possible. "There was a mixture of anticipation and nerves among the crew as we entered the Antarctic waters, but they are raring to go." Greenpeace has come under fire from Sea Shepherd captain Paul Watson, who said he was disappointed the two groups were not able to work together in the search for the whalers. "If we find the whalers first, we will inform Greenpeace of the coordinates. If they find them first, we will have to keep looking on our own because Greenpeace has made it perfectly clear to us that they will accept our help, but will not help us in return." Greenpeace has refused to work with the Sea Shepherds, saying it does not agree with the group's readiness to use violence. | | Officers aboard the Antarctic marine sanctuary patrol vessel Esperanza vowed to track down the notorious "Nisshin Maru" (pictured above), a Japanese commercial whaling factory ship disguised as a "Research" vessel that has illegally killed thousands of endangered whales in the Southern Ocean Sanctuary. Both groups plan to harass the whalers for as long as possible. "If we catch them, they'll run from us ... We'll just keep them on the run," Mr Watson said. The sighting of whales yesterday raised the Esperanza crew's determination to stop the slaughter, Ms Thomas said. "We saw some minke, humpback and fin whales. They were so beautiful." SOURCE - Dominion PostSCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba Forum |
