The group’s current campaign, which it calls Blue Rage 2011, uses two ships and a number of small launches, sophisticated radar and communications equipment — and the helicopter, flown by former commercial pilot Chris Aultman.
The aim is to try to prevent illegal fishing for bluefin tuna. The stock of the fish has dwindled to the point that experts fear its collapse. If the group finds boats it feels it can prove are fishing illegally, it wants to send divers in to cut the nets and free the tuna.
But the group’s methods are controversial. The conservation group Oceana shares Sea Shepherd’s assessment of the imminent danger to the bluefin tuna, but is more circumspect in its comments on Sea Shepherd’s tactics.
“Although Oceana doesn’t have the same practices, we don’t oppose those practices,” said Maria Jose Cornax, an official with Oceana. “They are contributing to the same goals we are.”
But Japanese officials have called Sea Shepherd members terrorists who have endangered lives with their pursuit of the Japanese whaling fleet, in which collisions occurred at sea. And, although privately European Union officials welcome the research of this and other non-governmental groups — and credit them with helping awaken public opinion — EU spokesman Oliver Drewes questioned Sea Shepherd’s desire to enforce the law itself.
“They are not policemen,” Drewes said. “No third party has policing obligations or powers. Every 12-year-old kid knows that.”
Read the complete story from The Washington Post.