Environmental Terrorist Actions Reprehensible, Says ICFA-- Greenpeace Sabotage Wreaks Mayhem On Innocent Crew

Arlington, VA·The International Coalition of Fisheries Associations(ICFA) today strongly condemned Greenpeace terrorists for sabotaging the Japanese whaling ships Nisshin Maru and Kyo Maru in Noumea Port in New Caledonia. "Acts of Violence at sea endanger fishermen and others who depend on the oceans for their livelifood," said Richard E.Gutting Jr.,Executive Secretariat for ICFA. "Rather than resorting to piracy and vandalism, Greenpeace should act within the framework of international law and seek peaceful solutions through the International Whaling Commission. To endanger the lives of fishermen through reckless sabotage is reprehensible and should be condemned. "Many environmental groups are able to make their case without resorting to eco-terrorism. Violence is a needless and counterproductive strategy which serves only to discredit those who resort to it." Gutting concluded. The International Coalition of Fisheries Associations is a broad coalition of Asian, European, North American and Oceanic commercial fishing organizations that promotes international cooperation between fisheries managers and seafood businesses worldwide.