You may have seen on the news that the wonderful Sea Shepherd organisation has had quite a run-in with the Japanese Whalers. Their fast interceptor vessel Ady Gil was rammed and sunk by the Japanese harpoon ship Yushin Maru. Since then, both of their flagship vessels - the Steve Irwin and the Bob Barker - have engaged the Nisshin Maru factory ship. This is the first time Sea Shepherd has had both ships on the Nisshin.
As a result of Sea Shepherd’s heroic activities, the Japanese ships have stopped whaling and it has been nearly a week since their last kill. However, the Yushin Maru has just rammed ‘Bob Barker’, causing a serious hull breach.
The group is strapped for cash, as ever, and spends far more time doing brave and wonderful things than it spends fundraising. They want to replace the Ady Gil whose speed terrified the whalers, with a stronger hulled fast patrol boat. Its Blue Fin Tuna campaign meanwhile starts in Monaco at the end of May and they will do their best to stop illegal Tuna and Shark fishing during the key two months.
Sea Shepherd is a wonderful organisation. It needs support, and if anyone wants to help, they can donate to
Sea Shepherd UK:
Nat West Bank sort 50-21-16
Account 47625317
Name: Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
Address of UK office:
Argyle House
1 Dee Road
Richmond
TW9 2JN