Japanese Whale Killers Destroy Sea Shepherd Ship Ady Gil

The Japanese ship Shonan Maru No. 2 rammed and caused catastrophic damage to the Sea Shepherd trimaran Ady Gil.

Established in 1977, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) is an international non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organization. Our mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world's oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species.

Sea Shepherd uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. By safeguarding the biodiversity of our delicately-balanced ocean ecosystems, Sea Shepherd works to ensure their survival for future generations.

Six crew crew members, four from New Zealand, one from Australia, and one from the Netherlands were immediately rescued by the crew of the Sea Shepherd ship Bob Barker. None of the crew Ady Gil crew were injured.

Sea Shepherd believes the Japanese are trying to lure it's flagship vessel the Steve Irwin into range so they can again begin trailing it.

Since December, Japanese researchers have prevented Sea Shepherd conservationists from locating the whaling fleet by tailing the Steve Irwin and sending coordinates on its whereabouts to the whalers.

The Steve Irwin to continue tracking the whaling ships.

The conservation group now plan to pay a salvage vessel to tow its wreck to shore.

(Via Amir Gur)