Wednesday August 19

On August 12, 61 pilot whales were slaughtered on the killing beach of Sandavágur in the Faroe Islands. With the odds stacked against them, in the face of adversity, Sea Shepherd crews put themselves on the line to StandUp between the whales and the killers. 

“We were one small boat and five bodies against 500 people on the beach and 50 boats pushing … but there’s no reason not to fight.”

Five were arrested that day. 12 Sea Shepherd volunteers have now been arrested and 490 pilot whales have been killed this year alone. But we will continue to StandUp for the pilot whales. 
“We are much stronger than they are. As a movement, they’ve got no chance against us.”


FRIDAY AUGUST 14
Four Sea Shepherd volunteers have been deported from the Faroe Islands under the cover of darkness in the early hours of this morning.

At approximately 0330 Faroese time today, Sea Shepherd Land Team Leader, Rosie Kunneke of South Africa, and fellow Sea Shepherd volunteers Christophe Bondue of Belgium, Marianna Baldo of Italy and Kevin Schiltz of Luxembourg, were bundled onto a ferry at Tórshavn, bound for Hirchalls, Denmark, escorted by three police officers in civilian clothing.

Exactly one week ago, the four volunteers were found guilty of breaking the Faroe Islands’ Pilot Whaling Act and public disturbance for the ‘crime’ of interfering in the July 23 slaughter of over 250 pilot whales on the killing beaches of Bøur and Tórshavn.


Wednesday august 12

Sea Shepherd fiercely defends against violent attack on a pod of pilot whales. Faroe Islands tourism industry directly linked to the slaughter of another 61 pilot whales as EU and US nationals are arrested.

Tuesday AUGUST 11

On August 4, five Sea Shepherd volunteers were put on trial in a Danish court for their efforts to save pilot whales in the Faroe Islands. Four days later, they were convicted and sentenced to pay large fines or jail time. This was the statement given in court in response to the charges. 
StandUp with one voice for justice. StandUp for the pilot whales. Take action and tell Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen that this slaughter must end, immediately.
"I will not enter a plea because I do not recognize the Faroese Pilot Whaling Act as a legitimate law. Denmark is a signatory state to the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats; the Bern Convention. Denmark’s support of the grind runs against the sentiment of its obligation to this convention; as do our arrests which were undertaken by police officers, who are officially, a part of the Danish National Police Force; and the attempt to try us in this court, which is officially, a part of the Danish legal system. I, Kevin Shiltz; I, Christophe Bondue; I, Xavier Figarella; I, Marianna Baldo; I, Rosie Kunneke, was acting under the provision of The United Nations World Charter for Nature which gives individuals the right to act on behalf of and enforce international conservation laws, and therefore to defend, conserve and protect these whales." 

FRIDAY AUGUST 7

5 DEFENDANTS + SEA SHEPHERD GLOBAL FOUND GUILTY OF BREAKING THE GRIND LAW. APPEALS TO COME.
All 5 Sea Shepherd volunteers have been found guilty of breaking the grind law, and of public disturbance. Sea Shepherd Global has also been found guilty of these charges.
Sentences for each are listed below.
*Sea Shepherd Global:
75 000 kroner (approx. 10 050 euros)
*Rosie Kunneke (South Africa):
35 000 kroner (approx. 4 690 euros) or 14 days jail
*Marianna Baldo (Italy):
30 000 kroner (4 020 euros) or 14 days jail
Kevin Schiltz (Luxembourg):
5 000 kroner (approx. 670 euros) or 8 days in jail
*Christophe Bondue (Belgium):
25 000 kroner (approx. 3 350 euros) or 14 days jail
*Xavier Figarella (Corsica/France):
30 000 kroner (4 020 euros) or 14 days jail
Appeals against all sentences are now being lodged.
The Deputy Chief Prosecutor is now seeking the deportation of all 5 defendants from the Faroe Islands.
The cases against Susan Larsen and Tom Strerath are still pending.

THURSDAY AUGUST 6

Tomorrow afternoon, the verdict will be handed-down in the case of the government of the Faroe Islands vs. 5 Sea Shepherd volunteers, accused of breaking the grind law.

Tuesday August 4

Video update from Tórshavn court as our crewmembers stand trial for StandingUp for the pilot whales of the Faroe Islands.