Greenpeace Attacker Harpooned by Fishermen
A Greenpeace member was “harpooned” by fishermen after the group began to attack their nets.
Several small Greenpeace vessels approached a French fishing vessel in Mediterranean waters, and began attacking its nets in an effort to release its catch of tuna.
In response to this assault, the fishermen reportedly rammed one vessel and slashed at others, sinking their inflatable craft, and fired flares at a Greenpeace helicopter dispatched to observe the attack.
Another fisherman swung what is variously described as a “grappling hook,” “boat hook” (fishermen’s version) or “harpoon” (Greenpeace’s version) at one of the assailants, skewering his leg.
The Greenpeace member, a UK citizen, was taken to Malta for treatment – although he suffered a severe wound, his condition is not said to be life-threatening.
Maltese fishing industry groups are livid over the attacks, saying Greenpeace “sought confrontation, and got the confrontation they wanted,” and that Greenpeace “alone bear the blame for the consequences of yesterday’s incidents.”
The French national fisheries body concurred, saying the fishermen “were attacked by helmeted Greenpeace activists, equipped for and engaged in a violent operation – the destruction of a work tool” and that Greenpeace “assumes the right to attack fishermen out at sea.”
The fishermen have requested French naval protection, saying they fear future attacks by eco-terrorists intent on gaining publicity and donations at the expense of their livelihoods, and pointing out that in addition to quotas they have only two weeks in which to land their catch, making their time very precious.
Sea Shepherd have also previously vowed to attack their vessels, so their concerns do not appear unreasonable.
Greenpeace describe their attacks on fishermen as “peaceful direct action”:
“What has happened here this afternoon in the water around us is that the commercial interest has won out over the need to preserve the species and that is why Greenpeace took peaceful direct action today.”
