News
Brazil Federal Regional Court Rules in Favour of the Southern Right Whales
Brazil’s Federal Regional Court of the Fourth Region has ruled to keep a suspension on whale watching tours in the Southern Right Whale Environment Protection Area (APA) in its place. The ruling was made after finding that the preservation of the endangered whale species was the primary purpose behind the area’s protected status.
In May 2012, an injunction suspending whale watching activities was granted by Laguna’s Federal Justice system after Sea Shepherd Brazil filed a civil action lawsuit against Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio). In this lawsuit, Sea Shepherd Brazil successfully argued that even though the APA was established 13 years ago, there were no studies on the environmental impact of whale watching tours, and therefore, ICMBio should cease their activities until a proper assessment had been carried out.
Federal judge Fernando Quadros da Silva acknowledged that while whale watching tours provided an income source for locals and encouraged environmental education, photographic evidence collected by Sea Shepherd Brazil suggested that human interaction could compromise the ability for cetaceans to reproduce. Therefore, the priority was to preserve Southern Right Whale populations by ensuring environmental licensing regulations were properly adhered to.
The Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) lists Southern Right Whales in their Red Book of Endangered Species. Many of the countries with waters that these whales frequent have been prompted to ban boats from making close range observations of the animals. These bans are essential as Southern Right Whales tends to seek sheltered coves for their nurseries and prefer a habitat often within 20 meters of shore. Unfortunately, this makes them far more vulnerable to potential harm from human interactions.
Sea Shepherd Brazil’s attorney Renata Fortes was confident that the court would rule in favour of the whales when ICMBio was forced to admit that there were no studies into the potentially harmful activities taking place in the APA, even though regulations exist to protect the area’s cetacean inhabitants. She argued that before being seen as financial resources, whales must be considered living beings, and assessments should not be conducted as a result of Sea Shepherd Brazil’s request, but because they are a requirement of the law. The assessments would also help determine who would best oversee Southern Right Whale protection regulations.
Sea Shepherd Brazil Legal Coordinator Luiz Andre Albuquerque was also pleased that the judiciary was paying attention to conservation issues, and believes that the court’s decision reaffirmed an increasing desire for the country to take care of the environment. Albuquerque went on to stress that economic losses should never be allowed to overshadow the preservation of endangered species. This is especially the case when the option of land-based Southern Right Whale watching tours exist around the region and visual recognition monitoring can be carried out via aerial and terrestrial means.
News Courtesy of www.seashepherd.org
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Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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