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Sea Shepherd crew embark on bluefin tuna mission

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Sea Shepherd captain Paul Watson

Sea Shepherd captain Paul Watson

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Sat, 20 Mar 2010 5:33p.m.

By Jono Hutchison

The environmentalists who have been a harpoon in the side of Japanese whalers are off on their next mission.

The Sea Shepherd crew leaves Wellington tomorrow, headed for the Mediterranean, aiming to protect the endangered bluefin tuna.

The big fish are rare, and highly prized by consumers and environmentalists alike.

“The bluefin tuna right now has reached a point where there is less than 15 percent of its original numbers and we’re gonna lose this species unless we intervene,” says Sea Shepherd captain Paul Watson.

He and his crew sailed into Wellington yesterday fresh from Antarctic clashes with Japanese whalers.

Mr Watson says they’re not expected friendlier waters in the Mediterranean.

“The bluefin tuna fishery is controlled by the Italian Corsican mafia – so we’re up against some pretty big bad boys when we go in there,” he says.

In Qatar yesterday nations voted down a proposed ban on exporting Atlantic bluefin tuna.

Greenpeace says the New Zealand Government voted against the ban – spelling disaster for the future of the species.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully wasn’t available today to confirm how New Zealand voted.

But Mr Watson is unfazed by the outcome in Qatar.

“The fact is, they’re exceeding their quota limits in the Mediterranean and they’re doing that every year. Sea Shepherd doesn’t protest, Sea Shepherd intervenes against illegal activity. So it doesn’t affect our campaign,” he says.

The focus of thee campaign, the Atlantic bluefin tuna, isn’t found near New Zealand.

New Zealanders fish the Southern bluefin tuna – which is also critically endangered.

The Ministry of Fisheries supports reducing global bluefin quotas, but at the same time it wants to increase our catch by 27 percent.

“The reality is the oceans are dying,” says Mr Watson.

But the demands remains – large bluefin tuna can sell for well over $100,000 each.

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Comments [17]

BD
12 Jun 2010 12:19a.m.

Hey R, Enjoy the massive concentrations of toxic mercury and PCBs in that tuna and whale. BD

BH
23 Mar 2010 8:14a.m.

Sea Shepherd are a bunch of eco terrorsts. They are a publicity seeking money grubbing organization that feeds
watsons big fat ego. They shouldn't even be considered a
conservationist group like the others. Who authorized Watson
to play lawman on his own?

The Facts
23 Mar 2010 3:11a.m.

Something the lazy SSCS couch potato complainants can't wrap their tiny heads around is that the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society enforces the law - they are not a banner-waving protest group.
The supporters of over-fishing and the sicilian mafia supported tuna fishing industry make good criminal company.

R
22 Mar 2010 3:42p.m.

Man, i love bluefin tuna, enjoying a tin right now..best sandwhiches ever, cant find tinned whale meat anywhere, give it time..

Dave
22 Mar 2010 1:51p.m.

Bag Paul Watson as much as you want but in reality how many people will die in the end if the worlds oceans are going to be critcally depleated? Stop trying to be tough rednecks, you cant count fish that's impossible, this man is trying to stop it before it gets to a catostrophic level. That goes to show how pathetic some people are who think the worlds oceans are in good health. Go for a walk along the beach and see how much rubbish gets washed up everyday and times that by the all worlds beaches and times that by the number of days in a year, then times that by the stuff we don't see and the stuff that ends up there the next day. I'm no hippie just try to use commonsence, which some people seem to lack. Paul Watson full steam ahead!

tim
22 Mar 2010 12:51p.m.

safe passage to all on the SEA SHEPHERD, nobody else seem to be getting off there backsides to do any thing to protect our oceans,and yes the need the publicity to get donations,how else are they gonna pay for there campaigns,
FOR THE OCEANS

Vinnie Veritas
22 Mar 2010 11:02a.m.

Just for all those trotting out the hippie/ecoterrorist tripe - they are in fact contradictory terms. You can't be a hippie and a terrorist you fools unless perhaps you are a lapsed hippie. Unfortunately that is about the standard of anti SS argument. Have a look at Paul Watson's cv and then tell me this is for show. Many of you are obviously ignorant of the outstanding work he has done in the Galapagos Is for instance. It just doesn't make the headlines. He has made a huge positive difference and will continue to do so and I for one thank him.

joe
22 Mar 2010 6:24a.m.

well, talks between governments did nothing... agian. so it's up to sea shepherd...again.


and sea shepherd saves hundreds of whales so how is that not affecting anything?




and the high tec Ady gil boat that got sunk? its not leaking chemicals, because the sea shepherd risked there lives to get the oil and gas off of it. and how is it there fault any way? it was just siting there in the water, in neutral, when the shonan maru came at it at full speed, ran it over, blasted the inside with water canons, then ran off at full speed. so it wasnt only destruction of property, but also hit and run. so who's fault is it?

Michael O'Connor
21 Mar 2010 11:40p.m.

LilY your just one of many star struck youth (plus the usual dull and listless movie 'stars' ) who have been manipulated , lied to and conned by a bunch of smelly hippie ferals and a media hungry lunatic self proclaimed folk hero super god who will stop at nothing to get as much publicity good or bad and even more money from a gullible stupid blinded public. Think about who you are donating to when you part with your well earned money. Such a crying shame these animal lovers ( professed) are so calculating and greedy and do little to save endangered animals - their greed will eventually be their undoing.

AA
21 Mar 2010 11:12p.m.

NZ catches around 500t of bluefin tuna every year but he doesnt care about that...

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