Latest press releases

AbitibiBowater adopts partial certification to deflect criticism of destructive logging operations, says Greenpeace

04 September 2008

Greenpeace condemns Syncrude lawsuit

29 August 2008

Market pressure forces Canadian company to announce greener logging

28 August 2008

Americans protesting destructive logging in Ontario's Boreal Forest

14 August 2008

Environmental groups call on National Assembly to reject sneak decision by Hydro-Quebec and shut down Gentilly-2

10 August 2008

Greenpeace chases whaling fleet from hunting grounds

14 January 2008

The Japanese government whaling vessel Nisshin Maru flees from the Greenpeace ship Esperanza in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.

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Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary — Following a 10-day search in Antarctic waters, the Greenpeace ship Esperanza confronted Japan’s whaling fleet in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary and immediately engaged in a high speed chase over hundreds of miles through fog and increasingly rough seas. The factory ship Nisshin Maru has now been driven out of the hunting grounds and all whaling has stopped -- for now.

If they try to start whaling, the Esperanza’s international crew of activists will take non-violent direct action to prevent the Japanese government’s slaughter of nearly 1,000 whales, including 50 endangered fin whales.

Take action: Stop the new whaling ship

Activists will drive inflatable boats between the whaler's harpoons and the whales while using high-powered water pumps to create a curtain of icy water, obscuring the harpooner's view.

We will do nothing to harm or endanger the Japanese vessels or crew. We will, however, use all peaceful means at our disposal to stop the killing of any more whales.

Update, January 14th: The Nisshin Maru and the catcher boat Yusshin Maru are currently outside the hunting grounds. Without the factory ship whaling cannot continue. We suspect they will refuel soon and offload whale meat that has already been processed. The Esperanza continues to keep the Nisshin Maru in sight.

Here is Sara, on board the Ezsperanza, who will tell you more about finding whaling the fleet:

Take Action: Stop the new whaling ship

If Japan succeeds in plans to build a new whaling factory ship, whaling could continue for decades. Tell the Japanese Prime Minister that building the new factory ship is a bad idea.

Help raise money to save whales

Create your own Whale Defenders page; get your friends and family to help you defend the whales.

Following a 10-day search in Antarctic waters, the Greenpeace ship Esperanza has found Japan’s whaling fleet in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.

The whaling fleet immediately took flight from the Esperanza, which is now in high-speed pursuit. While the fleet is on the run, the whalers are unable to hunt. If they try to start whaling, the Esperanza’s international crew of activists will take non-violent direct action to prevent the Japanese government’s slaughter of nearly 1,000 whales, including 50 endangered fin whales.

UPDATE: Watch the video

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Rare whale song captured in the Southern Ocean

Earlier this week, our crew on the Esperanza awoke to find themselves surrounded by at least 50 humpback whales feeding in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. Leandra, our on-board scientist, captured some rare and unique underwater sounds as part of our ongoing research programme.

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Humpbacks to be spared the harpoon -- for now

The Japanese government has confirmed a rumour first reported at the Greenpeace weblog, that they have abandoned plans to kill humpback whales in the Southern Ocean this season.