A Warrant to Intervene

[flvegan]

Sea Shepherd Intends to Enforce the Australian Federal Court Order

The Court order was issued on January 15, 2008 by the Federal Court of Australia. The Court found that the Japanese whaling fleet killing whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary contravenes the Environment Protection and Bio-Diversity Conservation Act of 1999 of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Specifically the Court ruled that:

1. THE COURT DECLARES that the respondent has killed, injured, taken and interfered with Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) and fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and injured, taken and interfered with humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Australian Whale Sanctuary in contravention of sections 229, 229A, 229B and 229C of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth), (the "Act"), and has treated and possessed such whales killed or taken in the Australian Whale Sanctuary in contravention of sections 229D and 230 of the Act, without permission or authorisation under sections 231, 232 or 238 of the Act.

2. THE COURT ORDERS that the respondent be restrained from killing, injuring, taking or interfering with any Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis), fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) or humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Australian Whale Sanctuary, or treating or possessing any such whale killed or taken in the Australian Whale Sanctuary, unless permitted or authorised under sections 231, 232 or 238 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has 17 Australian crewmembers on the international crew of 33 onboard the Steve Irwin. Nine of these Australian crew have agreed to undertake a citizens arrest of Japanese whalers in accordance to the Australian Federal Court ruling that the whalers must “be restrained from killing, injuring, taking or interfering with” any whales in the Australian Whale Sanctuary.

LOTS more:
http://www.seashepherd.org/news/media_080221_1.html

This is going to be interesting.