sail-world.com -- Armed Shonan Maru No. 2 disregards order to vacate Australian waters
Armed Shonan Maru No. 2 disregards order to vacate Australian waters
Fri, 1 Feb 2013
Japanese security ship Shonan Maru No. 2, with armed Japanese Coast Guard onboard, has now entered the Australian Economic Exclusion Zone around Macquarie Island at 1500 Hours AEST on January 31st, chasing Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's long-range ship, the SSS Bob Barker.
The Australian government has officially notified the Japanese government to order the Shonan Maru No. 2 to remain outside of Australian territorial waters.
'Sea Shepherd Australia applauds the Federal Environment Minister, the Honourable Tony Burke, on his quick response to this matter. However the poachers have completely disregarded Australia’s request as an armed vessel of the Government of Japan continues to steam deeper into Australia’s waters in violation of the Australian Federal Court order', said Sea Shepherd Australia Director Jeff Hansen.
The Japanese whaling fleet has been in contempt of an Australian Federal Court order since 2008 that prohibits them from killing whales in Australian territorial waters. In spite of the ruling, the Institute for Cetacean Research announced that it intends to illegally kill nearly one thousand minke and fifty endangered fin whales during its 2012/2013 whale-hunting season.
The Bob Barker set a course to Macquarie Island to lose the Shonan Maru No. 2, which is presently tailing them.
Captain of the Bob Barker, Peter Hammarstedt, says: 'The Shonan Maru No. 2 is an integral part of the Japanese whaling programme. On board are armed storm troopers from the Japan Coast Guard whose sole mission is to violently prevent my crew of whale defenders, many of whom are Australian citizens, from upholding Australian domestic law and international law protecting whales.'
The SSS Steve Irwin is being tailed by the Yushin Maru No. 1.
The SSS Brigitte Bardot has chased the Yushin Maru No. 3 some 300 miles to the South. Only the Yushin Maru No. 2 remains with the Nisshin Maru and both vessels are far north of the whaling area, and running from the conservationist vessels.
This now marks the 1st January on record that not a single whale was killed in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. January has always been the peak month for the whale killers.
The Bob Barker found the Nisshin Maru on Tuesday, January 29th. Unfortunately heavy fog and rough seas allowed the Nisshin Maru to escape.
With a Sea Shepherd ship in pursuit, the Nisshin Maru and the Yushin Maru No. 2 will not be able to stop to hunt whales.
The Sea Shepherd ship SSS Sam Simon continues to pursue the Nisshin Maru, free of a tail and assisted by aerial drones performing search grids.
Once the Bob Barker loses the tail of the Shonan Maru No. 2 they will return to the pursuit of the factory ship, Nisshin Maru. The objective is for all four Sea Shepherd ships to keep the whalers separated and on the run. This, Sea Shepherd's ninth Antarctic Whale Defence Campaign, Operation Zero Tolerance, is currently on the mark for its goal of having this be a no kill year for the Japanese poachers.
Burke Marine
Burke Marine, suppliers of international quality marine clothing and equipment, was founded by Martin Burke on the shores of Sydney Harbour in 1971. Visit our website for your nearest stockist. [More info]
http://www.burkemarine.com.au
Ensign Ship Brokers
Ensign Ship Brokers was established in 1980 and has spent the last 28 years expanding our marine knowledge and developing our reputation! We strive to provide the very best service! [More info]
http://www.ensignbrokers.com.au/
GME Standard Communications Pty Ltd
Leaders in communications and navigation. Their goal has always been to make products whose innovation, convenience and peace of mind can help improve the lives of their customers. [More info]
http://www.gme.net.au
Hamilton Island Luxury Accommodation
Full range of private apartments, villas and houses on Hamilton Island. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 bedroom options available. All include buggy and island airport or marina transfers. [More info]
http://www.whitsundayholidays.com.au
Multihull Solutions
Multihull Solutions is Australia and New Zealand’s premier offshore and cruising catamaran and trimaran specialist, offering sales and servicing of the world’s finest multihull brands.
[More info]
http://www.multihullsolutions.com.au
Navionics Australia
Navionics is proud of its superb cartographic database comprising more than 25,000 charts and port plans; the largest privately owned database of its kind, the only one using full seamless technology [More info]
http://www.navionics.com.au
OziOpti
OziOpti is all about 'getting kids in boats' and the Australian company supporting the introduction to of the world’s most popular junior sailing yacht, the 'International Optimist Dinghy' [More info]
http://www.oziopti.com.au
Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show
2013 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is Australasia's most significant marine lifestyle event. We look forward to welcoming you to the 25th annual event. [More info]
http://www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au/
Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week
Entries for the fourth annual Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week have opened! 4 days of racing, 5 days of fun – that is what you can look forward to from 3-7 September at Magnetic Island. [More info]
http://www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au
Ullman Sails
For over 45 years, Ullman Sails has been devoted to helping our customers reach their sailing goals. [More info]
http://www.ullmansails.com
VicSail Sydney
Vicsail Sydney Pty Ltd, launched into the Australian sailing fraternity in 1983 and has been sailing strong ever since. At Vicsail, “We Sail the Boats We Sell”. [More info]
http://www.vicsailsydney.com.au