Due to the expansion of the operational area and the fact that they targeted only a third of their quota, the Japanese whalers were able to violate with impunity the verdict of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) stipulating the cessation of activities Japanese whale hunting in the Southern ocean.
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society denounced the laxity of member nations of the UN, and particularly New Zealand and Australia
Global Sea Shepherd hoped the UN member nations, particularly New Zealand and Australia would support the verdict of the ICJ. They did not.
Alternatively, Sea Shepherd expected that the governments of New Zealand and Australia would provide the NGO at least the coordinates of the Japanese fleet allowing it to gather evidence on the prosecution of illegal activities of the latter. They did not.In order to stop the illegal activities of the Japanese whalers, it was en imperative that such evidence should be taken this year.
Why such complacency after winning the trial?
Members of the Sea Shepherd are very disappointed by the governments of Australia and New Zealand who give up the fight whereas they won the case against Japan for illegal hunting.
“Japan has ignored the decision, and all that Australia and New Zealand are content to do is give up, allowing Japanese to continue ther crimes against humanity and whales. they show a shameful laxity.”
This season, the Steve Irwin, the flagship of the Sea Shepherd Global, will continue its efforts to fight against illegal activities in a sea where crime reigns without opposition from governments and where poaching is a profitable business for criminal enterprises who think they are above the law.
