Anti-Whaling Campaign Charity Ship Uses Dublin as Base from Which to Disrupt Icelandic Whalers

6th July 2024

Ship Tours: The anti-whaling campaign charity ship John Paul De Joria is in Dublin (Docklands), where this weekend (6-7 July) the public can tour the vessel both days (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). The vessel is berthed near the Samuel Beckett Bridge along Sir John Rogerson’s Quay. The crew and volunteers are gearing up for an upcoming campaign to save the lives of whales in Icelandic waters. Credit: captpaulwatson/facebook

An anti-whaling campaign ship berthed in Dublin Port has become the launch pad for a new whale rescue mission that is run by a charity dedicated to stopping whaling.

The Irish Independent reports the Captain Paul Watson Foundation has berthed its ship, the John Paul De Joria at Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, which arrived from the UK, is in response to Iceland’s controversial decision to grant a fresh licence to that country’s last whaler.

According to the foundation, its crew and volunteers can sail the ship to Icelandic waters quickly from Dublin if they get word that the killing season is to begin.

The foundation’s current campaign in the North Atlantic has been given the name ‘Operation Ice Storm’.

Head of the foundation’s Irish chapter, Alex Neubauer, said a delay in the issuing of the licence to a company owned by millionaire businessman Kristjan Loftsson after a legal battle meant it was unlikely his fleet would take to sea this season.

“He has publicly said it is too late (for this season), but the reason we are in Dublin is that we don’t trust him,” Mr. Neubauer said.

The foundation uses “direct non-aggressive action” tactics to disrupt whaling, sailing into the path of whaling boats, preventing the loading of equipment, and blocking refuelling.

The newspaper has more here on the anti-whaling campaign ship, which is open to the public today, between 10am and 5pm and also tomorrow for free tours. Mr Neubauer said everyone was welcome on board to hear more about the foundation’s work.

The public charity whose purpose is to support, intervene, educate, and raise awareness regarding ocean conservation.

Afloat, add the campaign ship, originally, the Vigilant served the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA) is in the Irish capital, making final preparations and refuelling in anticipation of action if the need arises to prevent the Icelandic fin whale hunting season.

The 1,190 gross tonnes vessel which arrived last week from Hull, England, was built on the Clyde in 1982 at Ferguson Brothers (Port Glasgow) Ltd, Port Glasgow.

Published in Marine Wildlife

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Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

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