Media Statement Institute of Cetacean Research, Tokyo, Japan

8 January 2010

New Zealand watercraft left drifting in Antarctic

-- Sea Shepherd vessel Bob Barker leaves Ady Gil afloat -- Claims that Ady Gil sunk must be proved by Sea Shepherd

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New Zealand watercraft Ady Gil left drifting in Antarctic. The clear stripe seen below the horizon is fuel leaked from the Ady Gil.

The anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has apparently abandoned reported efforts to salvage or tow to port the disabled New Zealand watercraft Ady Gil.

Japan’s research vessels monitoring the area have confirmed that an oily substance thought to be fuel is leaking from the Ady Gil and continues to spread over the sea surface, raising concerns that Sea Shepherd is willfully polluting the Antarctic environment.

The Shonan Maru No.2 reported that the other anti-whaling ship which had been harassing the Japanese vessel with the New Zealand watercraft, the Bob Barker, initially seemed to be making efforts to tow the Ady Gil. However, the Bob Barker left the scene abandoning the drifting Ady Gil by the early morning of December 8.

In addition, the Shonan Maru No. 2 retrieved today from the sea part of the severed Ady Gil hull as well as various drifting objects, including several bowgun arrows. Bowgun arrows are weapons with the ability to produce casualties if used against a person or persons.

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The Shonan Maru No.2 retrieved several lethal-force bowgun arrows drifting among the Ady Gil debris (Part1). The Ady gil fuel film sheens in the water surface.

The Sea Shepherd activists have been escalating the viciousness of their sabotage including hurling projectiles containing hazardous butyric acid and firing line-launch rockets against Japan’s research vessels. However, their carrying and possession onboard of a lethal-force weapon makes one ponder whether they would hesitate or not to produce casualties.

The Institute of Cetacean Research strongly condemns the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society actions.

The Institute of Cetacean Research urges again all related nations including Australia, the de facto home port country to the Steve Irwin, the Netherlands, the Steve Irwin’s flag state, and New Zealand, the now drifting and abandoned Ady Gil flag state, to take every means available to prevent the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society actions and strongly request that they observe their international obligations and deal with the Sea Shepherd in a strict and objective manner.

2010.01.08 New Zealand watercraft left drifting in Antarctic (attached pictures)

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Drifting Ady Gil and leaked fuel spreading over the sea surface behind the watercraft. The Ady Gil hatches were left open in apparent attempt to facilitate its sinking.

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The abandoned Ady Gil still afloat. The green cords are remains of a hawser used to try to entangle the Shonan Maru No.2 rudder and propeller.

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The Shonan Maru No.2 retrieved several lethal-force bowgun arrows drifting among the Ady Gil debris (Part2)

ENDS

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