Sea Shepherd Ships Arrive at Southern Operations Base, Ready to Take on the Japanese Whaling Fleet

Melbourne, Australia – 11/16/2016: Sea Shepherd’s new patrol vessel, the Ocean Warrior, arrived yesterday at the Southern Operations base in Williamstown, just outside Melbourne, joining the veteran anti-whaling ship MV Steve Irwin. They are undergoing final preparations before departing for the ocean conservation group’s 11th direct-action whale defense campaign in the Southern Ocean this December.

Japan’s so-called “scientific research” program to hunt Minke whales has been rejected by the International Court of Justice, the International Whaling Commission and the Australian Federal Court. After a one-year hiatus from whaling, the Japanese whaling fleet returned to the Antarctic last season and slaughtered 333 Minke whales, more than half of them pregnant females. Disappointed by the lack of action from the international community, Sea Shepherd Global announced its return to the Southern Ocean to protect the whales with a new patrol vessel, the Ocean Warrior, the fastest in the fleet.

“Operation Nemesis”, named after the Greek goddess of inescapable justice, will be one of the most difficult campaigns Sea Shepherd has undertaken. The Japanese have doubled their whaling area in the Southern Ocean, meaning Sea Shepherd will have to search in an expanse twice as large to find them. The reduced quota of 333 whales targeted in the hunt also means the Japanese can complete their hunt and return to Japan in less time. She Shepherd will rely on the strength of the Steve Irwin, the speed of the Ocean Warrior, and the assistance of their helicopter and small speedboats to overcome these challenges in the harsh Antarctic waters.

Established in 1977, Sea Shepherd is an international non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organization. Our mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world's oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species.

Sea Shepherd uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. By safeguarding the biodiversity of our delicately-balanced ocean ecosystems, Sea Shepherd works to ensure their survival for future generations. For more information, visit: http://www.seashepherdglobal.org/

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