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.
3 News