Confrontations Multiply With Whaling Fleet

Confrontations between Japanese whalers and environmental activists resumed Friday in Antarctic waters.

The Nisshin Maru fired water cannon towards Greenpeace activists trying to film a refueling operation, The Age reported. Members of Greenpeace, in small boats, watched as the Nisshin Maru fed fuel to the Yushin Maru.

Two environmental groups, Greenpeace and the more radical Sea Shepherd, have been shadowing the Japanese since they headed for the southern ocean. Earlier this week, two Sea Shepherd members were detained about the Yushin Maru after they boarded the vessel with a letter of protest. The pair were handed over to an Australian customs ship.

Benjamin Potts, an Australian, and Giles Lane from Britain, said that some crew members tried to throw them over the side when they first boarded the Yushin Maru. They said, however, they were generally well treated, although they were tied to the mast for a while.