MEDIA RELEASE from the INSTITUTE OF CETACEAN RESEARCH - ICR

30 January 2011


Bob Barker activists attack Japanese research vessel Yushin Maru No. 3


The Yushin Maru No. 3 (YS3), a Japanese Antarctic whale research vessel was subjected to
attack today by the Netherlands-registered vessel Bob Barker (BB). The attack started at
about 0630JST and lasted until about 0750JST


At about 0630JST two zodiac boats sent from the BB behind an iceberg rapidly approached
the Japanese vessel and the activists started hand-throwing many projectiles toward the YS3.
Two smoke bombs landed on the deck and one smoke bomb got entangled on the port-side
protecting net of the YS3. One projectile containing paint hit the port side bow of the
Japanese vessel. One zodiac boat deployed a rope in the way of the YS3．


During the attack the YS3 broadcasted a warning message and made use of its water
jet-pump as a preventive measure to make the activists desist from further approaching.
Neither injuries to the Japanese crew nor damage to the YS3 resulted from the activists’
attack.


The YS3 continues monitoring the BB’s activities.


Japan’s research whaling in the Antarctic (JARPAII) is a perfectly legal activity carried out
under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW). The Institute of
Cetacean Research strongly condemns the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) and
its continued dangerous and violent actions against Japan’s whale research vessels in the
Antarctic.


We call on all related countries including the Netherlands which is the BB’s flag State and
Australia, the virtual home port of the SSCS vessels, to stop condoning the SSCS’s violent
actions and to take every means available to restrain them. Further, we strongly request that
these countries deal with the SSCS’s criminal actions in a strict and objective manner
according to their international obligations.