Monday October 5, 2009, 2:02 am
THE Federal Immigration Department has cracked down on Sea Shepherd's Paul Watson, demanding to know the anti-whaling group leader's police and court records as it reviews his visa.

Until now, authorities had let Captain Watson, who holds a US passport, come and go from his Australian-based ship on a tourist visa.

The department has told him he must satisfy exhaustive new good-character requirements to get a business visa.

An email exchange shows the Australian Embassy in Washington wants Captain Watson's bill of legal health from Norway, where his group claims it sank whaling ships.

Captain Watson told an embassy official last week that he suspected serious political motivations were behind the demands for his police, court and criminal records.

''I am not wanted on any warrants,'' he said. ''I have never received a felony conviction.''

Coincidentally, stalled International Whaling Commission peace talks resume today, in which Australia is trying to persuade Japan to end its Southern Ocean whaling.

Japan has repeatedly asked the Rudd Government to move against Sea Shepherd over clashes with its whaling fleet in the Antarctic.

Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada renewed the call for action when he met his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith recently.

This year, the Australian Federal Police raided the Sea Shepherd's ship, Steve Irwin, in Hobart, seizing records and videos at Japan's request.

An AFP investigation is continuing, and Australia told the International Whaling Commission meeting in July it could lead to court action.

As Sea Shepherd opens its campaign for the Antarctic summer, the Steve Irwin is due to arrive at Circular Quay, Sydney, today from Brisbane, where damage received in collisions with Japanese whaling ships was repaired.

Captain Watson expected to take part in a tour of capital cities with the ship, before leaving from Perth for the Antarctic, but said he would not get a visa in time to join the tour, if he got one at all.

He said the ship's first officer, Peter Hammarsted, of Sweden, also had to go through criminal checks, and its bosun, Briton Dan Bebawi, was initially refused entry.

''Even Japan has not charged me with a crime, so I do not see how there can be any other reason for this except for politics,'' Captain Watson said.

Monday October 5, 2009, 3:02 am
It's always something. I wish the best for him. thanks Claudia.

Monday October 5, 2009, 3:08 am
i hope all goes well for paul ,i'l say a prayer to st francis hes another saint for animals

Monday October 5, 2009, 3:37 am
Strange that groups who do good, always get the antagonistic attitude. What these people or governments dont know, is that Captain Paul Watson is also saving the planet for their children and their grandchildren. Then on the other hand, the Japs and other sea wreckers/killers/polluters/destroyers must have paid someone good money to be atagonistic to good deeds.

Monday October 5, 2009, 3:44 am
So right Julie
And so it begins.Can't believe Australia is also "listening" to the Japanese Government.Like the Dutch Government.Let's see where this will lead to.Amazing how Sea Shepherd has to go trough idiotic stuff like this,and the Japanese who are whaling illegally have a clear passage.

Monday October 5, 2009, 4:18 am
This is a disappointing development, international political pressure rears it's ugly head. I was hoping the new moderate Japenese PM would show some environmental awareness. Looks like that is not going to happen. Now the Sea Shepherd non-profit organization has to spend their meager funds on legal fees. I really try to be sympathetic to the Japanese situation of feeding their citizens, but I've about run out of patience.

Monday October 5, 2009, 5:40 am
My prayers for this great man and The Sea Shepherd. They deserve the best, not the worst Thanks Claudia.

Monday October 5, 2009, 5:58 am
More confirmation from US gov on "democracy"??? He has US passport...I don't understand how they can block him...I hope he wins thru this.

Monday October 5, 2009, 6:22 am
This is to much! I believe this all came about from of course the Japenese to hold everything up. So Captain Watson has the wonders of a background check. CRAZY, Not to mention a back lash on the Visa time frame. Sounds like a set up of wrong doing. Anyway he has my vote behind him and his crew, No fret thumbs up Claudia.
Thanks Lady

Monday October 5, 2009, 7:03 am
This is a sign of the times, there is so much resistance to true conservationists, it is a bitter pill to take but not surprising in the least. Thank you. Claudia, for explaining the problem. I hope it is resolve in the good captain's favor.

Monday October 5, 2009, 7:20 am
Those who want to exploit the oceans and stop Capt. Watson will stop at nothing to do so. He is at the head of this action that Sea Shepard is all about, so to attack him they hope will stop all his actions. Money is being passed around to force the issue onto Paul, greed knows no bounds.

Monday October 5, 2009, 7:41 am
My prayers are with Paul Watson. The Australian government, like the Netherlands is folding under the 'money' gun. Trade above all....

it sucks, it sucks big time. Thank you Claudia

Monday October 5, 2009, 8:03 am
The Sea Shepherd is the good Samaritan of the seas... It is so disappointing to see the unwelcome reviews he gets when he comes into port.. Shame on those natons who are not scared to stand up with him to fight the good fight of faith for our planet...

Monday October 5, 2009, 8:50 am
I AGREE WITH JULIE!! THANK YOU CLAUDIA!

Monday October 5, 2009, 10:28 am
If i had a country i would give it to Paul Watson he could make up his own flag and then the problems maybe would be limitted he surely would disserve it thats for sure,yeh what is with Australia i thouhgt that they were on our side,bloody traders. Thanx Claudia,i don't know what we would do with out you.Cheers.

Monday October 5, 2009, 12:59 pm
Please when greed rears its ugly head their hands come out from everywhere, then slither back under the rock they came from. The Japanese have always been after the dollar, oh they scream honor and nobleman, ha, only if some one has money to give them. They do not have to have kill like they say they do to fed their people. They can import anything that they want just like the rest of the world.l No one owes them a thing, they bring a lot of hate and distrust to everything. I am truly sorry for the good one that are for animal rights in Japan they might as well be dead. With a Prime Minister that doesn't give a squat and a Foreign Minster not worth the time of day, a joke of a person,he stands for everything most people dislike the Japanese for.If they were not doing wrong they would not be after the Sea Sheppard so bad. They are scared to death they are on film are their people blind, or do they think they are so smart and others are dumb. Research give me a break they are killing to be killing, just like the whales and the dolphins at the cove.Everyone in every country has seen them just killing in their blood lust frenzy. I hope that what they are passing on all comes home to them in doubles.I will pray for Paul Watson, Sea Sheppard, and the Steve Irwin, to be able to go forth and continue the good fight. I would ask that something could come about to slow down or stop the Japanese, and the rest of the country who think it time to destroy the oceans.

Monday October 5, 2009, 1:47 pm
I'm a Sea Shepherd supporter but notice, "stalled International Whaling Commission peace talks resume today, in which Australia is trying to persuade Japan to end its Southern Ocean whaling".

If the price of Japan ending the Southern Ocean Whaling (notice that they don't mention scientific research) is to hassle Paul Watson a bit then he may think it worth it (I hope that will be all). Paul must be used to this by now but it is a terrible shame, if not a crime, that someone who does so much good work and brings discredit internationally to Japan, should be so treated. Maybe this is why Japan is pushing, they didn't like The Cove and the series on TV of Whale Wars, make them look bad - truth hurts! They are obviously aware that they are doing wrong by trying to hide/cover up these cruel practises.

I hope that Paul Watson is vindicated and allowed to continue to use Australia as a base.

Monday October 5, 2009, 1:55 pm
Paul Watson and Sea Shepherd are among the brave few who are fighting to preserve life on this planet as opposed to corporate profit. I pray that they are vindicated and that those who started this ugly little campaign are held up as the weasels that they are.

Monday October 5, 2009, 2:29 pm
What about "innocent until proven guilty"? Why deny this man his visa? There are plenty of criminals who seem to have no problems getting around and hurt others.
It is obvious that creed driven governments are behind this. Shame on the Japanese officials with their so called honour and all the rest who look on and allow atrocities like the whale hunt to go on.
Shame, shame, shame!

Monday October 5, 2009, 2:49 pm
It certainly is a travesty to see Watson persecuted in this manner. Why can't our governments intervene for the whales instaed? I hope the Whaling Commission talks will lead to actions.

Monday October 5, 2009, 3:54 pm
This really stinks! What is Australia thinking now, are they completely off their rockers?
Paul Watson and the Sea Shephards are only protecting our sea life, not detroying it, like SOME OHERS we know!!!
This just stinks!!!
Tx Claudia my friend x

Monday October 5, 2009, 6:52 pm
Sadly noted.I hope things work out for him.

Monday October 5, 2009, 8:08 pm
It is very frustrating to see a courageous man like Paul Watson, who is fighting to save our planet and our creatures, going through the hell he has to go through and risking his own life and those of his crew for the safety and well being of the whales. It seems like the bad guys have the luck on their side...for now. Good will prevail. Our prayers are with you Paul.

Monday October 5, 2009, 10:28 pm
It seems that only the truly great in a crusade as is Paul Watson would find themselves with adversaries who should be their champions. The Australians are on the wrong side of justice here in my opinion. I am deeply distressed to learn of the latest of this tale.

Tuesday October 6, 2009, 12:38 am
Bureaucracy as usual stopping things. Meanwhile Captain Watson whose behaviour is the one of a saint, has to put up with all kinds of countries and their documents while whales are in killers' hands, all the problems in the world shoul have stopped yesterday, but, papers here, papers there, now I need this paper, now this other one is useless and so on. What is the problem? some jerks killing, so how long is it going to take for them to stop running around with documents that take so much time and ordeals to get things done!? Bureaucracy is one of the worst ailments of today. Lies and trickery.

Good luck Captain, we are all with you.

Tuesday October 6, 2009, 8:09 am
Best to Paul Watson. Instead of being the hero he should be he has to go through all this crap. Human greed.

Thursday October 8, 2009, 6:28 pm
THEIR IS A CATCH I IT WORKS OUT THANK CLADIA