Antarctic Wildlife Need to Be Priority

Antarctic Wildlife Need to Be Priority

Not satisfied with killing threatened species of whales in an International Whale Sanctuary, the Japanese whaling fleet is now risking the lives of other Antarctic wildlife by a potential oil spill from their stricken vessel, the Nisshin Maru.

“The disabled vessel, carrying hundreds of tons of fuel oil, is an environmental time bomb and we want to know what contingency plans the Japanese whaling fleet has for such situations,”IFAW Director, Mr Michael McIntyre said.

“In addition to their blatant disregard for the Antarctic Whale Sanctuary the Japanese are also in breach of the Antarctic Treaty System by not submitting an Environmental Impact Assessment for their whaling activities in Antarctic waters.

“The Greenpeace vessel, the Esperanza, is in the region and has offered to help tow the powerless, oil laden vessel away from the dangerous ice sheets. However this offer has been refused by the whalers who are clearly more concerned with saving face than saving wildlife.

“With bad weather forecast, this is at best arrogant and at worst highly dangerous.

“By remaining in the area the whalers are putting thousands of animals at risk, including the largest colony of Adelie penguins in the world.

“This further demonstrates the dangers of whaling in such a pristine environment,” Mr McIntyre said.

“IFAW has a proven track record in the rescue and rehabilitation of oiled seabirds. We hope that the situation does not become an environmental disaster. However, we have offered our services to the New Zealand Government who are preparing to respond should the worst happen and oil from the stricken vessel adversely affect wildlife in the region.”

IFAW is recognised as a world leader in responding to oiled wildlife emergencies. During the past ten years IFAW has responded to numerous spills and has helped mount oiled wildlife rescues in 12 countries including co-managing the largest wildlife rehabilitation effort ever, South Africa. In 2000 a bulk ore ship sank near Cape Town, spilling 1300 tons of oil and oiling more than 20,000 African penguins. As a direct result of IFAWs efforts more than 90 per cent of the endangered penguins were rehabilitated and released back into the wild.

ENDS

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