Sea Shepherd Cuts off Supplies to the Japanese Whaling Fleet

The entire Japanese whaling fleet has been fleeing from the Sea Shepherd ships for nearly two weeks since being located on the eastern side of the Ross Sea...

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(SOUTHERN OCEAN) - The mysterious and elusive supply ship for the Japanese whaling fleet has been located. At 1420 hours on January 12AEST, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s scout and interceptor vessel the Gojira found the Japanese refueling and supply ship. It is identified as the Panamanian registered Sun Laurel (IMO# 9405631), and it was found at 62 degrees 43 minutes south and 178 degrees 33 minutes west. 

Canadian Captain of the Gojira Lockhart MacLean radioed the Sun Laurel and asked if they were in the area to refuel the Japanese whaling fleet. Their response was a hesitant “maybe.” The tanker is full and has not yet discharged its supplies to the Nisshin Maru or the harpoon vessels.

The Bob Barker, being tailed by the Yushin Maru, and the Steve Irwin being tailed by the Yushin Maru No. 3, immediately changed course to intercept the tanker. The Steve Irwin is expected to intercept the Sun Laurel at 2200 Hours AEST on January 12. The Sun Laurel departed from Japan on December 4, 2010 from the port of Tateyama Ko.

Captain Paul Watson responded to the interception of the Sun Laurel from the Steve Irwin, “We have found the Achilles heel of the whaling fleet and we intend to stay on it like a bloodhound to keep this ship from delivering fuel and supplies to the whaling fleet. This tanker’s support of Japan’s illegal activities makes the captain and crew of the Sun Laurel as culpable as the person firing the harpoon into a whale’s flesh.”

The Sea Shepherd ships have now chased the whaling fleet for 13 days, and with the harpoon ships tailing, finding and closing in on the Nisshin Maru has proven to be very difficult. The harpoon ships simply relay the position of the Steve Irwin and the Bob Barker ahead allowing the Nisshin Maru, allowing it to stay out of reach.

“So if we can’t go to the Nisshin Maru, the Nisshin Maru will have to come to us,” said Captain Watson. “They need to refuel soon, and we will be here with the Sun Laurel waiting for them to arrive. Refueling south of 60 degrees is illegal and we intend to enforce the Antarctic Treaty if they attempt to violate it.”

There is no evidence that any whales have been killed this season. The entire Japanese whaling fleet has been fleeing from the Sea Shepherd ships for nearly two weeks since being located on the eastern side of the Ross Sea on December 31, 2010.

The three Sea Shepherd ships are committed to spending the remainder of the whaling season in the Southern Ocean, but the season could be cut very short if the whaling ships are unable to refuel.

“It’s time for these poachers to take their harpoons and flensing knives and head home,” said Captain MacLean from the Gojira. “We have made it clear that they are not welcome in the sanctuary.”

Source: Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, an international non-profit conservation organization whose mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world’s oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species. Visit: www.seashepherd.org to learn more.