Sea Shepherd protesters may be tried in Japan after boarding whaling vessel, being detained
THE Federal Government is trying to ensure the safe return of three whaling activists aboard a Japanese whaling security ship.
But the situation is tricky because the men might be bound by Japanese law, Attorney-General Nicola Roxon says.
The West Australian men from the Forest Rescue environmental group boarded the Japanese security vessel Shonan Maru No.2 in waters off the coast of Bunbury overnight Saturday.
The daring mission was aimed at forcing the vessel to stop tailing the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s anti-whaling flagship, the Steve Irwin.
The men climbed past razorwire and spikes to board the ship and deliver a message: “Return us to shore in Australia and then remove yourself from our waters.”
But the Shonan Maru No.2 yesterday afternoon was instead persisting with its pursuit of the Steve Irwin, with the Australians still on board.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has urged the government to send a customs vessel to “keep the peace” in the Southern Ocean.
The Federal government must also do everything it can to help three activists being held aboard the Japanese whaling security vessel Shonan Maru No 2, Mr Abbott says.
“The Australian government helps Australians in trouble, including Australians that have got themselves into trouble,” the Opposition Leader told reporters in Sydney today.
“I think it’s just the standard duty of government to do what it can for Australians in trouble overseas and obviously these guys fall into that category.”
Japanese Whaling spokesman Glen Inwood, from the Institute of Cetacean Research, says the men could be on board the Shonan Maru 2 for the next couple of months.
“Not only are they facing that, but they risk being taken to Japan to be tried for trespassing, or for other charges,” Mr Inwood told ABC radio.