On February 20, the Sea Shepherd group claimed two of its boats were rammed by a Japanese ship in Australian Antarctic waters. Activists say the attacks happened after they were ordered to leave the area by one of the boats in the Japanese whaling fleet.
Sea Shepherd says “concussion grenades” were also thrown at their activists.
Japan’s Institute of Cetacean Research has issued a statement on the clash, outlining what they said happened and saying they they had stopped for the time being because it was too difficult to refuel.
According to Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson, it is unlikely the whalers will resume their hunt this season, adding the season ends in 18 days.
According to Australian opposition envrionment minister Greg Hunt, the Australian government was being negligent in failing to acknowledge “the conflict, hostility, and the taking of whales in Australian waters.”
Australia strongly opposes whaling and launched legal action challenging the basis of Japan’s so-called “scientific hunt” in December 2010.
Paul Watson wants men and women of passion
