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Have you changed your mind about whaling since you were a whaler?
Yes, you're going back 30 years (when I was a whaler). The world has changed a lot since then. Back in those days, there was a need for sperm whale oil for industrial purposes. Now, it can be made synthetically.
Why are you going to Japan with Greenpeace?
Greenpeace asked me to come along and tell Japanese people that there's life after whaling, and I am honoured to be there
What will you say to Japanese people about whaling?
I would ask them to give it up, and ask the government to find alternative ventures for them. They're spending money and losing money on food people don't even like anymore.
Also, there's no humane way to kill a whale, speaking from experience as a whale gunner.
There is life after whaling – and more money to be made from whale watching than killing whales. I have sympathy for the whalers in one sense because I've been in that situation. But, if whaling stops, like us, they're get on with it and find something else to do.
Also, if they want to start killing humpback whales, they should know that they're the backbone of a $300 million industry in Australia. It's taken 40 years for the whales to come to trust us and let the boats come close to see them. As soon as these fellows start shooting them, we've lost that trust and that industry, and our grandchildren will never see a whale.
What's your position on the two activists who are under house arrest for trying to exose whale meat corruption in Japan?
It seems a bit extreme that they're under house arrest and facing up to 10 years in jail for doing what they thought was their civic duty. They should be freed and there should be an investigation of their allegations.
When I was in the whaling industry in Australia, there was no practice of giving the crew any part of the catch.
Were you ever scared by Greenpeace activists interfering with your whaling operations (back in 1977)?
No, they were annoying but harmless. They're like flies – they'll annoy all day but they'll never hurt you.
