Sea Shepherd captain 'shot by Japanese whalers'
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Paul Watson: Bullet found in vest. (File photo) (AAP Image: Raoul Wegat)
The Captain of the Sea Shepherd anti-whaling ship, the Steve Irwin, claims he has been shot by Japanese whalers during a confrontation in the Southern Ocean.
Paul Watson says members of his crew threw stink bombs aboard the whaling ship, the Nisshin Maru, and the Japanese responded by returning flash grenades.
He says one of his crew was hit by a grenade and received minor injuries.
Mr Watson says he then felt a thud in his chest and found a bullet lodged in his bullet-proof vest.
"... but it also came through and I have this badge and it hit the badge and bent that too so it just left a bruise really on my chest - so it could have - if I wasn't wearing the vest it could have been pretty serious," Mr Watson said.
He says it is the first time the Japanese ship has responded with firearms.
Japan's Coast Guard Agency has told the ABC in Tokyo that it received a report earlier today from its officers on board the whaling fleet that the Sea Shepherd had been obstructing one of the Japanese ships.
The Coast Guard says it will release a statement shortly detailing the current situation.
Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith has repeated his call for all parties in the Southern Ocean to exercise restraint.
He says Japan has advised the Australian Embassy in Tokyo that a crew member on board the Japanese whaling boat fired a warning shot in the air.
He says Australian officials in Japan are seeking further information.
Mr Smith says he absolutely condemns actions by crew members of any boat that could injure anyone on the high seas
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Comments (2)
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J Turnip:
07 Mar 2008 5:17:33pm
Rudd: Send the navy down down.
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windward:
07 Mar 2008 5:18:14pm
Time to send in the SAS?
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