MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Japanese whalers warn Greenpeace pursuer activists

Japanese whalers have warned Greenpeace activists pursuing their fleet in the Southern Ocean against illegal and dangerous interference to the hunt. Greenpeace protest ship Esperanza has located the fleet of six ships conducting so-called scientific whaling and is pursuing the main vessel Nisshin Maru.

The Japan Whaling Association called Sunday on Greenpeace, whose activists vow to put themselves between harpoons and whales if necessary, to keep clear of the fleet. "Past activities of Greenpeace have been responsible for vessel collisions that risk the lives and safety of our researchers and crew and are illegal under international maritime law," association president Keiichi Nakajima said in a statement. "I urge Greenpeace to desist from any harassment of the research vessels and to keep a safe distance". The Australian government, which strongly opposes the whaling, also told the environmentalists to be mindful of personal safety. "For the people actually at the site, on the high seas, [they] need to be very careful," Assistant Treasurer Chris Bowen told reporters. "They need to exercise restraint because their own personal safety is at risk and the personal safety of others is at risk". CEO of Greenpeace Australia-Pacific Steve Shallhorn said the activists would do whatever was necessary to prevent whales being killed. "There is nothing inherently dangerous to anyone else than our boat crews who volunteer themselves ... and realize a risk is being taken. "[We will] put ourselves between the whale and the harpoon to prevent whales being killed." Mr Nakajima said Greenpeace's stunts were designed to raise money and reminded critics that Japan's research whaling was legal under international conventions. Greenpeace said it had tracked the fleet by following krill, a source of whale food, and would follow the Nisshin Maru for as long as necessary. "Instead of whaling, they are attempting to avoid Esperanza. They have not been able to do that so far. We have been able to keep up with the Maru," Mr Shallhorn told reporters in Sydney. "As long as we are in pursuit, the ship will not be capable of whaling. If whaling does resume, we will be there to prevent whales being killed". The Australian customs ship Oceanic Viking is still en route to the whaling area under orders from the Australian government to carry out surveillance of the Japanese activities.