Reward For Pinpointing Whaling Fleet

Reward For Pinpointing Whaling Fleet

The Sea Shepherd is offering a US$25,000 (NZ$35,966) reward for the current position of the Japanese whaling fleet.

'We believe the whalers are within 400 nautical miles of us, but we have information the Japanese are using satellite tracking to find out our position every day. That way they can keep clear of us,' Said Captain Paul Watson, speaking from the Sea Shepherd flagship, 'Farley Mowat', presently in a region of the Ross Sea, 'We are willing to pay USD$25,000 for any information that successfully leads us to the fleet.'

Last Friday a New Zealand Air Force filmed the Japanese slaughtering whales during a routine fisheries patrol flight.

'They were searching for illegal fishing but did nothing except take pictures. Japan requested New Zealand not to release the co-ordinates... That makes the New Zealand Government complicit.' Captain Watson said. New Zealand is not releasing information about the location of the Japanese fleet.

Sea Shepherd ships 'Farley Mowat' and 'Robert Hunter' have another three weeks before they must return to port to refuel.

'We have also found out US Naval Intelligence has been tracking us by satellite and giving information to the Japanese.' Captain Watson said. The Society is offering the reward to overcome the problem of satellite surveillance and allow the ships to rapidly find the Japanese fleet.

All information received will be treated in a confidential manner.
Phone Sea Shepherd in Washington: 360-370-5650, fax: 360-370-5651, e-mail: rewards@seashepherd.org

The ships of interest are:

Factory ship:
Nisshin Maru
radio call sign JJCJ

Catch ships:
Kyo Maru No. 1
radio call sign JKNG
Yushin Maru
radio call sign JLZS
Yushin Maru No. 2
radio call sign JPPV

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