The Paul Watson Foundation has announced plans to target the fuel supplier serving Icelandic whaling company Hvalur hf. as its latest campaign against the country’s fin whale hunt.
The announcement came in a strongly worded Instagram post after the organisation claimed that one of two fin whales landed on Tuesday was a pregnant female.
The foundation said ten whales had now been killed since the season began and vowed to escalate its campaign as its vessel Bandero operates within Iceland’s exclusive economic zone.
What’s the Story?
Original source: Vísir
- The Paul Watson Foundation says it will target the company supplying fuel to Hvalur hf.
- Activists claim one of the latest fin whales caught was pregnant.
- The Icelandic Coast Guard says it is prepared for all scenarios while prioritising maritime safety.
New Tactics
The Bandero has been shadowed by the Icelandic Coast Guard vessel Þór in recent days after entering Icelandic waters.
Coast Guard spokesperson Ásgeir Erlendsson said the agency had been preparing for Bandero‘s arrival since May.
He said all operational planning was focused on ensuring the safety of everyone at sea, including those aboard the activist vessel, and that the Coast Guard was ready to respond should any situation threaten maritime safety.
Speaking on Bylgjan radio on Tuesday, the leader of “Operation 86”, the campaign aboard Bandero, said all 27 people on board were prepared to risk arrest during planned actions against the whaling season.
“Everyone is willing to risk arrest to protect these whales. If the Icelandic Coast Guard wants to stop this campaign, it had better have 27 prison cells ready for us.”
Hvalur hf. chief executive Kristján Loftsson has previously said he believes Icelandic activists are assisting Paul Watson’s campaign, although members of the anti-whaling group Hvalavinir have told local media they do not support Watson’s tactics.
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