Sea Shepherd Responds to Japanese Whalers Preparing For Their Last Stand in Antarctica

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society reports Japan has every intention of returning to the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary next season. Sources in Japan have informed us that the whaling fleet is trying to discourage Sea Shepherd from sending our vessels to intervene against the whaling fleet. The news comes amidst current reports in the media stating that for the first time in 25 years Japan may not hunt whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary this season due to repairs needed by the Nisshin Maru.

Sea Shepherd has had the whaling fleet under observation and the vessels are being prepared and outfitted to return to the Southern Ocean. The Japanese Fishery Agency has secured funding for the next season, but all the signs suggest that the whalers will not be able to survive another season of losses if Sea Shepherd obstructs their operations one more time. This season will mark the ninth year we have challenged the Japanese whalers on the high seas.

"We now have four ships, an international crew of 120 volunteers, two helicopters and sophisticated drones. We have never been stronger or better prepared and we are absolutely confident that we can prevent the Japanese whalers from taking any whales this next season,” said Captain Paul Watson. "Sea Shepherd now has a larger and better equipped fleet than the Japanese whalers do."

Sea Shepherd is advising the Japanese whalers not to return to the Southern Ocean and to retire their operations.

"The Japanese will not only lose tens of millions of dollars in the upcoming season," said Captain Watson. "They will be quite humiliated, so it really is in their best interest to not return because I am absolutely confident that Sea Shepherd's Operation Zero Tolerance will ensure they will not kill a single whale."

The Bob Barker moves into position behind the Nisshin Maru to block the transfer of dead whales for processing