Bethune verdict: Sea Shepherd crew reacts

Email
Print

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 6:05p.m.

Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson

Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson

The suspended sentence awarded to Auckland anti-whaling activist Peter Bethune by Tokyo court has come as a massive relief to his wife and children.

Bethune, 45, was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for five years, for obstructing the activities of a Japanese whaling fleet in the Antarctic Ocean.

He has been held in custody since February after he boarded the Japanese whaling fleet's security ship the Shonan Maru II during its annual whaling hunt in southern waters.

But not only family members are happy with the outcome of the trial – Bethune’s former Sea Shepherd crew members are also relieved.

3 News reporter Kloe Palmer spoke with Adil Gil Crew member Jason Stewart and Sea Shepherd Founder Paul Watson earlier this afternoon.

Watch Kloe Palmer’s report

Become a fan of 3 News on Facebook and on Twitter.

Post a Comment

Before commenting, please take the time to read our moderation guide


(Won't be published)



Comments

14 Jul 2010 07:23a.m.

susan wrote:

This is very sad..but I would like to stress out..if someone out there can read this and knows paul waston in person..tell him his long time friend he knows (Morley Brook)has been trying to get in touch with him for a few years now. Thye use to hang out together when they were teens. If you know how to get intouch with paul..tell him to get in touch with morley on facebook..

13 Jul 2010 01:35p.m.

Ian wrote:

Funny to hear people talk about the SSCS as "pirates." I wonder if they'd feel the same way after meeting some real pirates off the coast of Somalia. These posters who compare Paul Watson, Pete Bethune, or any of the others out there defending the future of our planet's whales to actual hostage-taking, murdering, violent criminals only reflects their own idiocy and ignorance.

13 Jul 2010 06:02a.m.

barbara wrote:

Hideyoshi you are wrong. Watson did not break the the law , the Japanese whalers did. Your government broke the law by knowing what they were doing and allowing it. By jailing Pete Bethune you brought world press and attention to your LAWLESSNESS. You have lost face in the eyes of the world. We no longer think of you as an enlightened , thinking , gentle people but as RUTHLESS SLAUGHTERS of WHALES and DOLPHINS. Our world , our oceans are in peril and you are indifferent. For the first time in 20 years I will NOT be buying a Japanese car or anything else made in your country if I can help it.

13 Jul 2010 01:51a.m.

Chuck wrote:

SSCS's actions are perfectly legal. the UN charter for nature says "non-governmental organizattions can enforce the laws". english: take the law in2 their own hands. SS was established 35 years ago by Paul Watson. he and sea shepherd have ben saving animals ever since. what the japs did 2 ady gil was evident. shonan maru 2 turned to the right and sliced the ady in 2. 1 crew had damaged ribs. as for pete bethune boarding shonan, he was attempting a citizens arrest on the capt. he boarded shonan in the ded of nite with a jet ski driven by some dude named larry. pete managed to get through the anti-bording nets and nocked on the door of the bridge in the morning. not a single person saw bethune board the shonan.

10 Jul 2010 08:00p.m.

soil wrote:

Dear Libby. Is it true :“Fact: The whaling is illegal.”? The Australian gov. presented Japanese gov. to the International Court of Justice. Most of Japanese accepted it with smiling. If Japan loses, we Japanese will stop whaling. But if Japan wins, Australian and others will have to stop protesting whaling. SS will be recognized as a pirate. They take punishment same as a Somalian it.

08 Jul 2010 02:21p.m.

Libby wrote:

Fact: The whaling is illegal.
This message and Seashepherd will grow every day, and the Japanese government brought attention to themselves and this issue...a thankful irony.

08 Jul 2010 10:46a.m.

Jim wrote:

What have the Japanese done that is illegal. Our Western Europeans are so emotional they forget facts. Watson is a Pirate!!!

08 Jul 2010 08:25a.m.

JRyan wrote:

Whales should surrender themselves to an INTERNATIONAL court to determine once and for all if they are tasty or not. No more Japanese bias!

07 Jul 2010 08:33p.m.

Andre wrote:

Maybe, but did the japanese whaler who purposely rammed the Ady Gil and tried to murder the crew surrender himself to NZ authorities?

07 Jul 2010 08:22p.m.

Nadia O'carroll wrote:

Japanese whalers should be encouraged to surrender themselves to authorities to be put on trial for breaking Australian law as decided by the High Court, bribing members of the IWC, breaking conditions of the Antartic Treaty and refusing to co-operate with Australian and NZ authorities investigating the collision with Ady Gil.