Japan pressures Republic of Palau to break conservation deal with Sea Shepherd

Examiner.com National: Japan pressures Republic of Palau to break conservation deal with Sea Shepherd

An agreement reached between the Republic of Palau and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has been broken today due to interference reported by Sea Shepherd from the government of Japan, placing services to "protect the sharks, turtles, rays, and other marine life of this one-of-a-kind archipelago" in serious jeopardy.

According to Sea Shepherd "The Japanese government has promised to provide Palau with a patrol vessel and financial support as an alternative to Sea Shepherd’s involvement.

"Sea Shepherd is optimistic that Japan’s offer to protect the sanctuary is sincere and not merely a ploy to negate Sea Shepherd’s intervention against poachers" they explain "whose unlawful catch in large majority ends up in the Japanese fish market."

Relations between the Japanese government and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society have been strained for many years over questionable whaling practices carried out by Japanese ships and the mass slaughter each year of dolphins in Japanese harbors that Sea Shepherd has attempted to bring to an end.

"Sea Shepherd welcomes the news that Japan will step up and assist Palau to enforce the laws that protect the marine sanctuary of the Republic of Palau" says Sea Shepherd "and provide the ships and support that will make this possible.

"Sea Shepherd will of course closely follow the progress of this marine protection campaign. Should support from Japan fail to materialize, then Sea Shepherd will be happy to again offer to support Palau in this important mission."

The fact that Sea Shepherd is "applauding" the agreement between Japan and Palau only goes to show that Sea Shepherd has not been swayed by what many are seeing as a back handed deal that will allow Japan to continue to poach off the shores of Palau.

Advertisement
"Shark protection remains a major focus for Sea Shepherd" explains Sea Shepherd "and they are already in discussion with several other Pacific islands that are keen to work with them to defend their marine environments.

"The Bob Barker" continues Sea Shepherd "is currently in drydock undergoing repairs and maintenance, she will be ready in time to cover the Southern Ocean if the Japanese whalers return this year, but if they do not, then she will patrol the Pacific in defense of sharks."

And should Japan be spotted out in the waters continuing their poaching of whales and other marine life, the Sea Shepherd is very clear about this.

"There is no shortage of poachers in the South Pacific and thus, no shortage of illegal fishing operations for Sea Shepherd to intervene against."