Iceland anti-whaling mission a success: activists

Shannon Mann, a Saskatchewan activist, finds herself back on land after a week-long detention on an anti-whaling protest boat off Iceland's coast. Mann was part of the crew of the Bandero, a vessel operated by the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, which was intercepted by Icelandic security forces on July 30.

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Every night … I just dream that I’m back on the ship and I’m quite happy, quite content.

The Icelandic Coast Guard stated they boarded the Bandero after the crew of the whaling ship Hvalur 9 reported feeling threatened. Authorities claimed the protest boat ignored instructions to leave Icelandic waters and to stop its engines. Twenty-one crew members were detained, and most have since been deported, though two remain and face a ban from Iceland and many European countries.

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The intent of this was to focus international attention on Iceland’s continued illegal whaling operations.

Despite the stressful ordeal, Mann expressed a surprising sense of nostalgia for her time at sea, dreaming of being back on the ship. Paul Watson, founder of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, echoed this sentiment, declaring the mission a success. He explained that the goal was to focus international attention on Iceland's whaling, which he described as illegal. The dramatic boarding, captured on camera, provided valuable footage for their planned TV show.

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The Coast Guard and the police were actually very helpful in that because when they boarded the ship it was a full SWAT attack. They were wearing body armour and guns and masks and helmets.

Mann also noted the support received from Iceland's residents. She stated that the crew should be proud, as the stress they endured is minor compared to what whales face daily during whaling season. The activists intend to contest the ban on their return to Iceland and other European nations.

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I think the crew should be proud. It was stressful at times, but that’s nothing compared to what the fin whales endure on an almost daily basis (during whaling season).