All Systems Go For Sea Shepherd’s Operation Divine Wind
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| Photo: Gary Stokes |
It makes little political or economic sense for the Japanese fleet to
return to the coast of Antarctica, but their motivation has now shifted
from hunting whales to refusing to surrender to Sea Shepherd
Conservation Society.
The Japanese government has said that it is not in the national
interest of Japan to give in to pressure from Sea Shepherd. To this end,
the Japanese government has allocated 27 million Australian dollars to
enhance security for the Japanese whaling fleet. Already some 200
million dollars in debt, the whaling fleet continues to be an economic
burden on the Japanese people.
“It is an insult to all the anti-whaling nations that so generously
contributed to the relief of the tsunami and earthquake victims,” said
Captain Paul Watson. “They have accepted foreign aid to help the victims
of that tragedy, and are now shifting funds to perpetuate this illegal
and obscene massacre of defenseless whales in the Southern Ocean Whale
Sanctuary. It now seems they are simply obsessed with killing whales not
for need, and not for profit, but because they believe they have the
right to do what they wish and kill whatever they wish in an established
international whale sanctuary, just for the sake of defending their
misplaced “honor.” It’s a disgrace and a smack in the face to everyone
who stepped forward to help in their time of need.”
Sea Shepherd will return to the remote waters for their 8th Antarctic
Whale Defense Campaign with a stronger anti-whaling fleet in early
December 2011 to protect the great whales.
“They will have to kill us to prevent us from intervening once again,”
said Captain Watson. “Are the Japanese people ready to take human lives
in defense of this horrifically cruel and illegal slaughter of
endangered and protected species of whales? Do we have to die to appease
Japanese honor? If so, my answer to the Japanese government is “hoka
hey” (Lakota for ‘it’s a good day to die’), and we will undertake
whatever risks to our lives will be required to stop this invasion of
arrogant greed into what is an established sanctuary for the whales.”
Operation Divine Wind will send over 100 volunteers to the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary to defend the whales.
“If we don’t stop them, who will?” said Peter Hammarstedt of Sweden, First Officer on the Bob Barker. “We intend to stop them and we will stop them – that’s a promise.”
Operation Divine Wind will be the eighth year that Sea Shepherd has
sent ships to the coast of Antarctica to frustrate the profits of the
Japanese whaling fleet. Each year Sea Shepherd has gotten stronger and
more effective, saving over 800 whales during last year’s Operation No Compromise.
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