Some 100 crew members of the anti-whaling conservation group Sea Shepherd plan to depart Melbourne Australia Monday on their 10th year of activism to try and stop Japanese whaling ships in the Southern Ocean.
This year's campaign, called Operation Relentless, will try to prevent the slaughter of more than 1000 whales, including about 100 on the endangered species list.
SOUNDBITE (English) STEVE IRWIN SHIP CAPTAIN SIDDHARTH CHAHRAVARTY SAYING:
"The Fin whales are exactly like the tigers. They are on the same endangered list and you wouldn't stand a poacher waking into a national park and shooting a tiger. Why do we allow that to happen with the whales? They are both endangered animals and we need to give them the same degree of protection."
The activists have frequent clashes with Japanese fleets who claim their endeavors are scientific in nature to monitor the whales impact on it's fishing industry.
The International Court of Justice in the Hague is expect
