The Japanese Whaling Fleet Will Be Stopped

Free Public Lecture By Captain Paul Watson

AUCKLAND, NZ -- Captain Paul Watson, Founder and President of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society will deliver a free public lecture at the Seafarers Centre, 114 Quay Street (200m from the Ferry Terminal) on Thursday, November 28, 2002 at 6:30 PM. All those who care about the future of whales and marine wildlife are encouraged to attend.

Paul Watson was one of the founding members of Greenpeace, and has made an international reputation with his direct-action conservation campaigns on the high seas, enforcing the international laws and treaties that have been established to protect marine mammals, wildlife and their habitats. Notes acclaimed film star,Martin Sheen: “Captain Paul Watson is by far the most knowledgeable, dedicated and courageous environmentalist alive today".

Five whaling ships departed Japan this month for the Southern Oceans Sanctuary near Antarctica to hunt and kill hundreds of endangered whales despite the International Whaling Commission moratorium. The Japanese whaling fleet is in blatant violation of several international laws, treaties and conventions including: The international Laws of the Sea, Antarctic Environmental Protection Act, The Convention of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, The World Charter for Nature, BMS, IWC, and CITES.

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's 56m flagship, the Farley Mowat, is moored in Auckland Harbour making final preparations to sail to the frigid Antarctic waters to intervene and interfere with the hunt. The ship will depart early December with Watson at the helm and an international volunteer crew of 45, including many citizens from NZ, Australia, UK, and Canada.

For over 25 years, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has been the most active non-profit, non governmental conservation organization protecting marine mammals, fish and wildlife around the globe. With an international membership of over 35,000 Sea Shepherd has many international offices, and can be found on the web at http://www.seashepherd.org

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