UPDATE: Lawyers for Sea Shepherd To Announce Landmark Legal Action Against Japan's Institute for Cetacean Research

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to Speak in Support of Sea Shepherd at Press Conference Monday, February 11 in Washington, D.C.

**UPDATING - ADDITIONAL SPEAKER, ROOM & TIME CHANGE** 

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Legal counsel for the global marine conservation organization, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, will announce landmark legal action the non-profit is taking in its ongoing battle against Japan's Institute for Cetacean Research (ICR) — a government-subsidized front for commercial whaling. The action comes in the wake of an injunction handed down in December by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in favor of the ICR. The Ninth Circuit Court issued the injunction without issuing an opinion. The injunction also ignored a previous well-reasoned ruling in Sea Shepherd's favor by a District court in February of last year. Sea Shepherd is seeking relief with regard to the injunction while awaiting the Ninth Circuit's opinion.

WHO:
Speakers at the press conference will include:

• Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Environmental Attorney & President of Waterkeeper Alliance ***NEW SPEAKER***
• Charles Moure, Lead Counsel, Harris & Moure, Seattle, Wash.
• Scott West, Dir. of Intelligence & Investigations, Sea Shepherd U.S.
• Susan Hartland, Administrative Director, Sea Shepherd U.S.

WHEN:    
Monday, February 11, 2013
11:00 a.m.  ****NEW TIME****

WHERE:
The National Press Club | Lisagor Room
529 14th St, NW, 13th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20045 

WHY:
Sea Shepherd U.S. has enforced the integrity of the internationally established Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary against Japanese whalers for eight seasons and has done so legally, effectively and with an unblemished safety record. (This season, its ninth, is being run by Sea Shepherd Australia, a separately governed entity.) On October 2, 2012, the New York Times reported Sea Shepherd cost the whalers $20.5 million USD for the 2010-2011 season alone. The organization's effectiveness has made it the target of a $30 million attack campaign by the Japanese government using taxpayer funds as well as monies siphoned from Japan's Tsunami Relief Fund, which were donated from around the world to help Japan's citizens — many still in need — not to subsidize a failing and unnecessary whaling industry. The United States along with Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands have stated publicly that they 'resolutely oppose' the hunting of whales (including endangered) in a sanctuary, but the U.S. has done little to back-up its rhetoric. Monday's announcement will force the issue in the hope of bringing this ongoing battle to a successful conclusion for the whales and for the future of our oceans.

For media inquiries and interview requests, contact:

• Media general US International Headquarters: +1-360-370-5650,
  Email: [email protected]
• Susan Hartland – Administrative Director, Sea Shepherd: +1-425-293-4492
• Lisa Agabian – Senior Media Relations Mgr., Sea Shepherd: [email protected]

SOURCE Sea Shepherd Conservation Society