A former Japanese dolphin hunter who won the respect of many when he turned his drive boat into an dolphin-watching vessel, needs urgent help to continue his mission.
Sydney -
Operation Zero Tolerance becomes the most successful whale protection campaign to date, reports the international anti-whaling organization Sea Shepherd.
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) is reporting that "The Japanese whaling fleet has left the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary and is heading north." Watson said he estimates that the whaling fleet killed "no more than 75 whales."
The conflict in the Southern Ocean between Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) and Japanese whalers has escalated dangerously once more. SSCS claims that the Bob Barker has once again been rammed amid the arrival of a new Japanese Naval ship.
Born into a family of dolphin hunters in Futo, Japan, Izumi Ishii was expected to follow in his father's footsteps. As the dutiful son, he did what was best for his family, but for him, the dolphins' cries were simply too loud.
Sydney -
The anti-whaling ships Steve Irwin and Bob Barker have been rammed by Japanese whalers. The Bob Barker is said to be taking on water. This is incredibly dangerous in the Southern Ocean, where people can die of hypothermia in minutes.
Tokyo -
Recently, a newly formed Japanese grassroots group marched in protest against its country's whaling policies. It was the first open resistance from within Japan itself. Digital Journal spoke with Action for Marine Mammals' (AMM) leader, Satoshi Komiyama.
Today marks the start of Operation Zero Tolerance, the Sea Shepherd campaign series made famous by Whale Wars. The Ship best known to the public, the Steve Irwin will be setting sail today with the other ships following later in November.
Friday Harbor -
After losing a beloved brother to cancer, Sea Shepherd founder, Capt. Paul Watson, vows to return to his ships to launch 'Operation Zero Tolerance' in December.
A Japanese annual whale hunt in the Antarctic has been halted following weeks of harassment by Sea Shepherd activists. The fisheries official in Japan called the fleet back after concerns of serious injury or damage.
The Ady Gil was lost after its bow sheered off in a collision with a Japanese ship that was protecting Japanese research ships. Sea Shepherd was trying to tow the boat but said the Gil sank after the towline snapped.
The Japanese Whaling Association has accused environmental activist vessel Sea Shepherd of attacks throwing butyric acid on board its ships. According to the whalers, Sea Shepherd launched a zodiac boat which attacked their ship Yushin Maru No. 3.
The Sea Shepherd crew thrives on adversity. Nationalists' actions have simply provided more ammo for the organization.
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
Members of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, aboard their ship the Steve Irwin (R), confront the Japanese ship the Kaiko Maru near Antarctica, December 26, 2008