Sea Shepherd Launches Operation Waltzing Matilda

At the beginning of December 2009, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society launched Operation Waltzing Matilda. The sixth campaign to stop whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary began with a surprise visit from Steve Irwin's family as the ship The Steve Irwin launched to intercept Japanese whalers in the sanctuary.

Where is Operation Walzing Matilda Taking Place?

The Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary is an area of ocean surrounding Antarctica. This 50 million kilometer whale sanctuary is a designated protected area by the International Whaling Commission, but whaling continues in the sanctuary. Japan continues to engage in whaling in the sanctuary, stating that its whaling is done for research purposes and that the regulations of the sanctuary do not apply. Japan has caught hundreds of minke whales and dozens of fin whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.  The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society regards Japanese whalers as poachers who are endangering whale populations. Japan has argued that the sanctuary itself is illegal and not in the interests of those who consume whale products and research whales.

In a Sea Shepherd press release announcing the campaign, Captain Paul Watson called the operation "a research project," stating that it was being run in solidarity with other whaling research in Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.  The Sea Shepherd's research will be conducted on the whalers as the society tries new techniques to intercept and deter the Japanese whaling fleets. During Operation Waltzing Matilda, the Sea Shepherd Society hopes to prevent whaling in the sanctuary. The underlying goal is to put the Japanese whaling fleet into financial distress and perhaps even bankrupt the fleet.

Operation Waltzing Matilda Named for the Australian Crew Members

The song Waltzing Matilda is the unofficial national anthem of Australia, and Operation Waltzing Matilda is dedicated to the devotion of the Australian people to eliminating whaling. The majority of the crew on the Steve Irwin ship is Australian, and the mission launched from Fremantle, Australia.

On December 7^th, the Steve Irwin departed for Antartica. Waltzing Matilda will also use the speedy trimaran the Ady Gil to intercept whaling fleets. The Animal Planet film crew also came along to document the interaction for the third season of Whale Wars. Watson spoke highly about the ability of the film crew to provide accurate and engaging footage.

Operation Waltzing Matilda Will Renew the Whaling Confrontation

On December 11^th, the Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada spoke to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, saying that "We have a tradition here in Japan of eating whale meat." The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society remarked on his lack of focus on any scientific research goals behind the whaling mission, stating that access to whale meat was the underlying reason for Japanese whaling.  The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society estimates the Operation Waltzing Matilda will meet the Japanese fleet within 10 to 11 days of the operation's launch.