A POLICE investigation has been launched into an Easter weekend  attempt to sink a Norwegian whaling ship anchored in a remote Nordic fishing port.

At least two people are thought to have crept on board the vessel "Sofie" berthed in Svolvaer harbour, around 700 miles north of Oslo,  and opened the bilge valve. But the ship's owner discovered the attempt and was able to prevent the vessel from sinking. The water was pumped out last night and the Sofie has now righted itself.

So far no one has been arrested, but anti-whaling campaigners, who have been fairly active over the weekend,  are thought to be  responsible. A group of Greenpeace activists  successfully prevent a consignment of Icelandic caught whalemeat leaving the Dutch port of Rotterdam for Japan by chaining themselves to the ship.

Whaling is a bigger issue outside Norway rather than within the country where most people seem to accept it. Both Iceland and Norway continue to allow whaling on a restricted scale which has angered activists. There have been calls for a boycott of both Norwegian and Icelandic fish and seafood products, but it has so far met with little support. Whaling is important to  the fishing communities in both countries, especially at time when commercial fishing is quiet.

There is a possibility that at the International Whaling Commission in June, Japan, Norway and Iceland will all be allowed to start whaling on a larger commercial level. Norway could become the world's main whaling country later this year and is totally opposed to any international ban.

All rights: fishupdate.com