Minister Buitenlandse Zaken Nieuw-Zeeland waarschuwde Sea Shepherd activist Pete Bethune (kapitein Ady Gil) voor risico's acties tegen walvisjagers

Govt warned Sea Shepherd of protest risks

06-03-2010 3News, New Zealand


Foreign Minister Murray McCully wrote to Sea Shepherd captain Pete Bethune before the recent protest action, warning him of the risks of protesting in the Southern Ocean.

Documents released to RadioLIVE under the Official Information Act show great concern ahead of the whaling season.

In January, Capt Bethune's Ady Gil collided with the Japanese ship Shonan Maru 2, an incident that eventually led to the smaller vessel sinking.

A month earlier, Mr McCully wrote to Capt Bethune, saying he was seriously concerned about the risk to lives and the Antarctic environment from both whaling and protest vessels.

He warned Capt Bethune that search and rescue help would be limited in the Southern Ocean, and as captain of the protest vessel, he was responsible for his crew's safety.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also prepared a briefing saying it had serious concerns about the Ady Gil's ability to cope in the changeable Southern Ocean, especially around ice.

(Bron: http://www.3news.co.nz/)