A Greenpeace inflatable inspecting ice conditions at the request of the disabled Japanes whaling vessel, the Nisshin Maru.
The crew of the Esperanza is waiting with bated breath for an
announcement on the fate of the stricken whaling ship the Nisshin
Maru. The Japanese crew is still trying to start the engines of
the ship, disabled by fire last week.
Fortunately for the sensitive Antarctica environment, the
weather has held. However, our helicopter surveys of the area
indicate that to the South of us there is floating ice 2 miles
away, and east of us the ice is moving northward and is now 20
miles away. Where we were one day ago is now completely iced over
- that is how changeable the conditions in the Southern Ocean
are.
The fire and subsequent risk to the pristine Antarctic
environment illustrates the dubious nature of this industry,
particularly given the lack of preparation and conscientiousness
shown by the Nisshin Maru's operators, the Japanese
government-affiliated Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR).
Risks to the environment
As an example, the Japanese whaling fleet ships are not ice
class (they are not obliged to be, however, this obviously
increases risk when operating in an area and time when there is a
risk of ice floes) and neither is the tanker the Oriental Bluebird,
currently claimed by the ICR to be the most likely candidate to tow
the Nisshin Maru.
The Japanese fleet has also not filed an Environmental Impact
Assessment. Japan is a signatory to the Antarctic Treaty. Under
this treaty, they are obliged to submit an Environmental Impact
Assessment before entering the Antarctic area. This Assessment is
supposed to ensure that the Precautionary
and Polluter
pays principles are evoked when there is a risk to the
environment.
The Oriental Bluebird
Interestingly, the Oriental Bluebird is not flagged to Japan, or
indeed, any vaguely oriental country. It is flagged to Panama - a
common "flag of convenience" state - which is not a signatory to
the Antarctic Treaty. However, as New Zealand Prime Minister Helen
Clark indicated earlier this week, it is clear the world "would not
forgive Japan" if the Nisshin Maru caused an environmental disaster
after failing to accept our help.
Thankfully, the threat of an oil spill seems to have receded for
the immediate future, but in the changeable conditions of the
Southern Ocean, anything can happen, particularly if towing the
Nisshin Maru through ice floes with an inappropriate vessel in icy
weather. This only goes to show the unncessary pressure that the
whaling fleet puts on the Antarctic environment - all in the name
of "science".
Take action
Ask the Japanese Environment Minister to do the right thing for the crew of the Nisshin Maru and the environment
Ship weblog
Latest updates on the Nisshin Maru situation from the Esperanza