News / Sea Shepherd bond set at 1 million euros
THE FOUNDER of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has appealed to the organisation’s many supporters to help raise $1.4 million to free their flagship Steve Irwin from detention in Lerwick harbour.
Paul Watson said the organisation had now to fight for its vessel since the Maltese fishing company Fish & Fish Limited have brought a civil lawsuit against the group.
The Steve Irwin is currently berthed in Lerwick harbour, and was last night moved from Morrison Dock to Hoegan, on the Bressay side of the harbour, to make space for the visiting tall ships.
The vessel arrived in Shetland last week to launch a two month campaign against the controversial annual pilot whale grind in the Faroe Islands, in which up to 1,000 of the sea mammals are being slaughtered.
Sea Shepherd learned late on Tuesday that they had to deposit a bond of $1.4 million (£875,000 or 1 million euros) to free their vessel, after it was served with a court order on Friday.
Fish & Fish alleges that the radical environmentalists had rammed a bluefin tuna pen off the Libyan coast, in summer last year, releasing 600 fish weighing some 35 tonnes. The company says it had suffered damages of 1 million euros.
Sea Shepherd said the fish were caught illegally and they had the evidence to prove that claim.
Mr Watson said: “They are claiming damages for the bluefin tuna we rescued from their nets in June 2010, fish that we believe were illegally caught after the season had closed, without an inspector onboard, or any paperwork documenting the legality of their catch.
“We have a legal firm representing us, and believe we have the necessary evidence to support our case.
“This lawsuit will also give us the opportunity to expose what we allege to be illegal activities by Fish and Fish and we will be aggressively defending the case on this basis.”
In a statement on the group’s website, Mr Watson urged Sea Shepherd supporters to help raise the money as quickly as they could, as otherwise “the Steve Irwin will be held indefinitely and possibly sold”.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
