Conservationists monitoring Japanese whalers in the Antarctic said they remained committed to protecting whales despite a dangerous clash this week that resulted in one of their boats sinking.
Paul Watson, founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, said the Ady Gil sank on Friday as it was being towed to a French base in Antarctica for possible repairs.
He said the crew removed all the oil and fuel before the vessel went under.
On Wednesday, the Japanese whaling ship Shonan Maru ploughed into the Ady Gil, knocking the bow off the wave- piercing trimaran speedboat that was one of the society’s trio of vessels trying to harass the hunters out of business. Two of a Sea Shepherd volunteer’s ribs were cracked in the crash.
Each side blamed the other and Australia and New Zealand, the closest nations to the latest confrontation, have announced investigations into the crash. But Watson scoffed at government calls for restraint from both sides in the conflict.
Japan kills about 1200 whales a year in Antarctica under what it says is a scientific programme allowed by the International Whaling Commission despite a broader moratorium on killing the mammals. Critics say the programme is a front for illegal commercial whaling .
The whaling is conducted in international waters, but usually within the huge patch of ocean that is designated as Australia’s maritime rescue zone and that Canberra considers a whale sanctuary.
But rules governing Antarctica are not clear cut.
- The militant animal rights group locked in a bitter high seas battle with Japanese whalers have the support and funding of a Hollywood A-list including Sean Penn and French screen siren Brigitte Bardot.
In its 32 -year history, the group has used acoustic weapons, water cannons and stink bombs against whalers, trailed seal hunters and fought campaigns for sharks and dolphins, as well as regularly patrolling the Galapagos Islands.