Japanese Poachers Release Sea Shepherd Hostages

Benjamin Potts and Giles Lane were transferred from the Yushin Maru No. 2 to the Australian Customs vessel Oceanic Viking early in the morning at 0200 Hours Melbourne time (1300 Hours GMT). The two men were transferred to the Sea Shepherd ship Steve Irwin at 0930 Hours Melbourne time (2030 Hours GMT).

Both men were happy to be reunited with their shipmates and eager to return to chasing the Japanese whaling fleet in the Southern Oceans. “It did not take long before the whalers realized that they made a huge public relations mistake in keeping us on their ship,” said Benjamin Potts. “We made it clear to them that Sea Shepherd was committed to stopping their illegal whaling activities.”

Both men reported that although they were roughed up when they first boarded the whaling ship, that they were treated well during their time onboard. The only injury was a bruised wrist suffered by Giles Lane.

“Although we appreciate the concern that people have expressed for our welfare, it is important to remember that this is not about us.” said Giles Lane. “It’s about stopping this cruel and illegal whale hunt. The treatment that we received was trivial in comparison to the suffering that the whales experience at the hands of the Japanese whalers. They may have been rough with us but at least we were not harpooned, electrocuted and mutilated. This is not about us, it’s about the whales.”

The Steve Irwin is continuing its pursuit of the Japanese whaling fleet. “This is the 8th day that whales have not been killed,” said Captain Paul Watson. “Every day that we stop the whalers is a victory. We will continue to intervene, harass, block, and obstruct the whalers at every opportunity.”

The Steve Irwin is presently at 59 Degrees 46 Minutes South and 85 Degrees 59 Minutes east and on the tail of the Japanese whaling fleet. The Australian court has ruled that the Japanese whaling fleet cannot kill whales in Australian Antarctic Territorial waters. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is prepared to work with the Australian government to uphold the court’s ruling to ban the Japanese fleet from Australian waters.

Statement of Giles Lane

“After our 48 hours of captivity, I’m pleased to have rejoined the captain and crew of the Steve Irwin. I am unharmed and ready to continue disrupting the whaling of the Japanese fleet in the Southern Ocean. It was worth the risk and time in order to inform them of their illegal activities and stop them killing whales whilst we were aboard.”

Statement of Benjamin Potts

“I’m happy to be back aboard the Steve Irwin with my crew. I’m pleased that everything worked out and that no-one was hurt, and also that we were successful in placing the world’s attention on the illegal slaughter of whales in a whale sanctuary in the Australian Antarctic Territory. To the Japanese people, we have nothing against you as a people. I enjoy Japanese culture, but your barbaric slaughter of intelligent and endangered marine mammals must stop before you drive them to extinction.”

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About Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

Established in 1977, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) is an International non-profit conservation organization whose mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world’s oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species. Sea Shepherd uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. By safeguarding the biodiversity of our delicately-balanced ocean ecosystems, Sea Shepherd works to ensure their survival for future generations. Visit http://www.seashepherd.org for more information.