New Zealand Yachtie to challenge Japanese Whaling Fleet

A father and grandfather aged 54, Taylor is an experienced yachtie who has built two yachts and sailed them around the Pacific Ocean. He returned to studies in 2000 and gained a degree of Bachelor of Applied Science and then a postgraduate degree in secondary school teaching. His passion for the sea and for whales has motivated him to launch this protest which will involve crossing hazardous seas to the icy dangers of the southern ocean around Antarctica.

Taylor's yacht cannot match the speed of the killer ships in the whaling fleet or the Nisshin Maru factory ship, or even the whales. And the liklihood of him locating the Whaling fleet is very small. But his protest should be welcomed as one of courage in the face of great odds of standing up to the behaviour of a bully - a country that abuses science to disguise a commercial activity widely condemned.

He explains on his blog the reason for his protest is to raise awareness of the whaling issue to his fellow New Zealnders - to motivate them to also take some action to stop the whale hunt. He is particularly incensed at the Japanese inclusion of 50 Humpback whales in their hunting quota this year:

The Humpback whale is an endangered species almost hunted to extinction until it was protected by a 1965 worldwide moratorium but the Japanese whaling fleet left Japan on the 18th November to kill 50 Humpbacks under the guise of scientific study along with 1000 other whales. I have a science degree and have helped survey Humpbacks in Niue and Tonga, killing one whale is not necessary let alone 50, their breeding stock will not stand this kind of loss. The Japanese are constantly increasing the number of whales they kill and must be encouraged to stop, this will only happen with pressure from other governments and public outcry. I hope by my undertaking this protest,that other New Zealanders will ask or demand that their members of parliament force the government to take more assertive action. This solo sailing in the Southern Ocean is a challenging task not only on myself and boat but also on family and loved ones I leave behind.

• Tell others
• Be active
• Contact your MP
• Sign a petition through IFAW or Whales Revenge

Sources:

• David Taylor's weblog - Southern Ocean Protest
• TV New Zealand Dec 20, 2007 Solo yachtie takes on Japanese whalers
• Photos courtesy of TV New Zealand video