Successful Anti-Whaling Tour Ends

The 2007/2007 Southern Ocean Expedition has come to a close. Yesterday the Esperanza departed from Hobart in Tasmania Australia, where it had originally arrived on Sunday evening. The mayor and local councillors were amongst those who ventured out to greet them.

The Esperanza was forced to leave the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary last week when they ran out of fuel. This came at the tail end of the ship tracking the Japanese Whaling fleet. During the time Esperanza had been tailing the ship, the sanctuary had remained fatality free for the whales.

With the Nisshin Maru, the factory whaling ship, being tracked, the rest of the fleet were unable to continue, putting a temporary stop to the whaling plans. It has been said that over a hundred whales were saved during this time, although unfortunately, and to the disbelief of many people, as soon as they had to leave the whaling continued. It has been reported that at least five whales have died since.

However there is good news: with mounting pressure and media coverage in the local areas, and an increase in public discussions about the subject, the Japanese Prime Minister Fukuda has been forced to bring the issue to light in Parliament.

Greenpeace are now calling upon Canon, a company which supports conservation issues, to speak in public about whaling. After a plea for the public to help, over 44,000 owners of camera owners have email the CEO of Canon Japan. Fujio Mitarai is also the head of the Japanese Business Federation, which is a very influential group in Japan.

Greenpeace hopes there will be more progress to report soon.