Captain Paul Watson
Update - October 1, 2002
The Farley Mowat
is in Auckland, New Zealand - in the middle of the America's Cup race.
This is not by design but by coincidence. However it does give Sea Shepherd
the opportunity to show the flag to the international media. The vessel
has completed repairs and is now engaged in outfitting for a December
2nd departure from Auckland for the waters near Antarctica in search of
the ruthless Japanese whaling fleet. In the meantime we are desperately
searching for sponsorship to purchase the fuel for the voyage - the only
obstacle in our way. Patagonia has agreed to provide cold weather gear
for the campaign.
The WorldFest event in Van Nuys on September 30 went very well. A very
special thank-you to Kurt and Jim, Lieber, Brady Walker, Brian Cleary,for
manning the Sea Shepherd table all day. It was good to see so many allies
in attendance. I was able to deliver two fifteen minute presentations
on the problems with our oceans and illegal fishing. Worldfest was also
attended by Sea Shepherd director Dr. Jerry Vlasak and his wife Pam.
In October I will be appearing at the DEAMA conference (Dive Equipment
and Manufacturing Association) Conference and Exposition) at Las Vegas
on October 22. Sea Shepherd has been given a booth at the convention to
promote our campaign to protect the Galapagos and Cocos Island National
Parks.
On October 25, I will be giving a presentation to the the Aboriginal Law
Conference in Vancouver. On October 26, I will be giving a presentation
in Victoria to promote the release of Seal Wars - 25 years on the Front
Lines to Protect the Harp Seals
Sea Shepherd is presently planning a campaign for the Canadian seal hunt
for mid-March 2003.
Our efforts to build a conservation zone with the cooperation of Ecuador,
Columbia, Panama, and Costa Rica are going well. We will be setting up
a new organization to be called TICO (Treasured Islands Conservation Organization).
This will focus exclusively on the protection of the Marine National Parks
of these four Latin American countries.
In other areas - Herbert Henrich and Francois Hugo are embroiled in a
fight for the seals in South Africa. Sea Shepherd Brazil is very active
in opposing illegal fishing and Sea Shepherd Europe is hard at work raising
funds to help finance the voyage of the Farley Mowat to Antarctica. In
Singapore, Grant Pereira is leading the fight against the consumers of
shark fins in South Africa.
Ulrike and Junko are busy working with the Galapagos National Park although
the Sirenian is temporarily down until a new steering part can be shipped
to the islands.
Sincerely
Captain Paul Watson
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
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