Hans J Marter

21 May, 2007

GREENPEACE was on its way to Edinburgh last night (Sunday) after what the environmental activists described as a successful campaigning weekend in Shetland.

The group's vessel Artic Sunrise sailed into Lerwick on Friday afternoon to discuss their 'Save the Cod' campaign with fishermen and to host an open day on board the vessel.

They managed to have a meeting with isles MP Alistair Carmichael and Shetland MSP Tavish Scott on Saturday morning, but fishermen representatives declined to join the discussions after Greenpeace members had swum in the path of trawlers north of Shetland last week.

Yesterday a Greenpeace spokesman said the marine element of their campaign was now over, but it would continue on land where they would continue to lobby national and European politicians.

Greenpeace are calling for an end to cod fishing in the North Sea, after scientists declared the species to be outside safe biological limits. They also want large areas of the North Sea to be designated as marine reserves.

The spokesman said many of those visiting the vessel in Lerwick Harbour yesterday had supported Greenpeace's aims.

"We had a constant stream of people visiting us. The majority were in favour of what we are doing. There were questions about our tactics, the state of the cod as we see it, but also very general ones such as who is cooking on board.

"We are generally happy with how the campaign has gone. The Artic Sunrise was in the area for the last three weeks and is now returning to Edinburgh, where the crew will learn what the next campaign will be," he said.

On Saturday, campaigners Willie Mackenzie and Semke Nagel met with Shetland's two parliamentary representatives in their constituency office in Commercial Street.

Mr Mackenzie said: "We have been explaining what our campaign is about and how it was part of a wider European campaign to establish marine reserves. Alistair and Tavish both expressed concerns as they represent a fishing community."

Meanwhile, police attended two disturbances on Victoria Pier on Friday night when "intoxicated revellers" were about to interfere with the Artic Sunrise's mooring ropes and also tried to board the vessel

Police were called to ease the tension. There were no arrests and no charges.