The governments and parliaments of many countries are opposed to these plutonium and nuclear waste shipments from Europe to Japan and vice versa. During past shipments opposition has come from Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, the 14 governments of Caribbean organization CARICOM, South Africa, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Ireland, Malaysia, South Korea, Mauritius, and the nations of the South Pacific Forum.

The current shipment departed Japan 4 July, 2002 en route to Sellafield, UK via the Pacific, Tasman Sea, Cape of Good Hope, West Africa and Irish Sea. Many countries have already stated that they will refuse permission for the shipment to enter their 200-mile Economic Exclusion Zone (EEZ). Latest statements

Flotillas

Past shipments of plutonium have drawn protests from loose federations of international seafarers who are aware of the enormous danger to life on the planet caused by nuclear bomb tests, nuclear fuel transport and use, nuclear pollution and nuclear waste. Ordinary people have taken to the high seas in small boats to oppose these shipments.

NUCLEAR FREE SEAS FLOTILLA SPREADS AROUND THE WORLD.
Three flotillas from the Pacific, Cape Horn and the Irish Sea announced their intention to protest against the shipment of rejected plutonium mixed oxide (MOX) which departed Japan for the UK on 4 July, 2002.

Visit the Nuclear Free flotilla website for more information

Visit the Japanese version of the Nuclear Free flotilla website

From the radiowaves of the flotilla:

"Pacific Teal and Pacific Pintail, this is sailing vessel Phantom out of Russell, Bay of Islands NZ. We have been waiting a long time for you to come through and you
came through in the middle of the night in a squall. I'm here with my family, my 9 year old son and a friend. I want you to know that we have come here from a nuclear free country to bear witness to your passage here. We know what you are doing and we don't like what you are doing and we hope that you don't come back again."
Family on vessel Phantom's message to plutonium freighters

Securite, Securite, Securite, All Ships, All Ships, All Ships, This is yacht Love of Gaia. This vessel is part of the Nuclear Free Flotilla made up of private yachts with families on board, located between 28 degrees South and 32 degrees South and the EEZs of Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands. A shipment of faulty plutonium mixed oxide fuel aboard two vessels, Pacific Pintail and Pacific Teal was expected in this area today during daylight hours. This has not occurred. In this interest of the safety of navigation of all vessels in the area we request that these vessels advise all mariners of their time of intended passage and their proposed route. Any vessel sighting these two ships is invited to advise all ships of their location, course and speed. Securite, Securite, Securite.
Crew of Love of Gaia's maritime appeal for news of plutonium freighters.