Copenhagen - Environmental activists of Greenpeace chained themselves to a cargo ship in the Dutch port of Rotterdam early Friday morning, as part of an attempt to block the export of whale meat from Iceland to Japan, the group said in Copenhagen.

The Northern European arm of the environmental group said in Copenhagen on Friday that the target of the action in Rotterdam was the freighter NYK Orion which had loaded meat from 13 fin whales for transport to the Far East.

Iceland has allowed the hunting of fin whales, which can grow up to about 30 meters long, and minke whales in its waters for several years - despite the existence of a worldwide whaling ban since 1986.

Greenpeace is calling on Dutch officials to stop the meat transport from proceeding. Martin Norden, spokesman for the North Europe section of Greenpeace in Copenhagen, said it is time for the country to show clearly where it stands on whaling.

Copyright DPA

Read more: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/316878,greenpeace-blocks-ship-loaded-with-whale-meat.html#ixzz0k4XQRKIg