A flotilla of anti-nuclear protesters in yachts have formed a blockade in the Tasman Sea against two ships carrying plutonium to Britain from Japan, Greenpeace said today. The ships are expected to pass through the Irish sea on their way to Sellafield.
The environmental organisation says the ships have now drastically reduced their speed for the first time since leaving Japan.
The eleven yachts of the Nuclear Free Seas Flotilla are in position between Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands in the Tasman Sea where the plutonium-carrying ships are due to pass.
The flotilla boats arrived at their meeting point two days ago and have been preparing to meet up with the ships Pacific Pintail and Pacific Teal in order to deliver their protest message.
More than 50 people from 10 different countries are participating in the flotilla, with crew members ranging in age from three to sixty years, and including Mr Ian Cohen, an elected member of the New South Wales Parliament.
The Nuclear Free Seas Flotilla protested last year when a shipment of plutonium mixed oxide (MOX) went through the Tasman Sea en route from France to Japan.
This year the flotilla has almost doubled in number and the movement has spread to include a flotilla in the Cape Horn region and one in Ireland that will protest the arrival of the ships in the Irish Sea.
The vessels, carrying cargo of faulty MOX which includes 255 kilograms of weapons-usable plutonium, left Japan for the UK on Thursday, July 4th.
"The UK, Japan and Frances attempts to keep the plutonium MOX industry alive are completely irresponsible and show a dangerous disregard for the real proliferation risks," said Mr Bunny McDiarmid, Greenpeace Nuclear Campaigner.
Pacific Island nations have also opposed the shipment through their waters.
AFP