Sea Shepherd Announces 6th Whale Defense Campaign: Operation Waltzing Matilda

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 24, 2009

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
International Headquarters – U.S.
Phone: +1-360-370-5650 * Email: media@seashepherd.org
Contact: Amy Baird, Media Director


June 24th, 2009 – Funchal, Madeira, Portugal-- The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is today officially announcing Operation Waltzing Matilda – the 6th Sea Shepherd campaign to defend the whales of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary from Japanese poachers.

“This is a research project,” said Captain Paul Watson. “We’ve decided to demonstrate our solidarity with the Japanese, Australian and New Zealand Research projects. Our primary objective is to research non-lethal means for defending whales. Of course this may include research into ship’s hull plate thickness, hull stress tests, and paint chip analysis, as well as observation of whaler behavior in response to olfactory stimulation.”

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society will be returning to the Southern Ocean in December for its 6th Antarctic Whale Defense Campaign. This year Sea Shepherd will be sending two ships to the Southern Ocean, the upgraded and fully repaired Steve Irwin and the fast interceptor vessel Earthrace.

On board will be an Animal Planet film crew to document the 3rd season of Whale Wars.

“We are taking the most powerful anti-whaling weapon at our disposal: a film crew,” said Laurens de Groot, a Sea Shepherd Netherlands director. “The cameras are more powerful than cannons and our ammunition is the naked truth about illegal whaling. We intend to keep the focus on Japanese crimes and we intend to sink the Japanese whaling fleet – economically.”

An international crew of volunteers will crew the ships to the Southern Ocean but this year’s campaign will have an Australian face. For this reason the name Operation Waltzing Matilda has been chosen. Waltzing Matilda is the unofficial national anthem of Australia. Translated from Aussie it means, "hiking with a bedroll or pack."

“Australians are the most passionate whale defenders on the planet,” said Captain Watson. “Operation Waltzing Matilda will reflect our gratitude to Australia for the incredible support we have received from the people of this wonderful nation since 2005. The Steve Irwin will depart in December from Western Australia with the majority of the crew being Australians.”

Kylie Herd, a Sea Shepherd crewmember from Perth attending the IWC Conference in Madeira said, “Our logo this year is modeled on the art that adorned the fighter planes of the legendary Flying Tigers who fought the Japanese in China. The colors of the Aboriginal and Australian flags have been incorporated into the design with the pirate kangaroo holding Neptune’s trident of justice. We intend to waltz down to the Southern Ocean to dance dangerously with the Japanese whaling fleet and we intend to unroll a Matilda full of defensive tactics for the whales against the Japanese whale poachers.”

Source: Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
Author: Sea Shepherd

Link: Confirmed: Earthrace Superboat Joining Sea Shepherd Fleet
Link: First fin whales killed in Iceland
Link: Paul Watson's planet-saving resolve remains strong after four decades
Link: Photos, video, and additional information
Link: Scientists warn of emerging form of unregulated whaling in Asia