Onboard the M/V Arctic Sunrise

Crew Profile - John Bowler

Irishman John Bowler is lead campaigner on the Arctic Sunrise. John was picked for the job because of his long experience with the whaling issue, his keen understanding of international politics - and because he was crazy enough to say “yes”. John spoke to on-board web master Andrew Davies about his passion for campaigning to save the whales.

Andrew: How long have you been working on the commercial whaling issue?

John: Since 1983 — Back then I was just working with small groups of like minded people doing “street level” activism. We wrote letters to the editor, circulated petitions, stuff like that. I try and talk to and help out people who are doing that work now because it is really just as important as what I’m doing these days.

Andrew: When did your work first intersect with what Greenpeace was doing?

John: When I attended my first International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in 1985 in England. That’s the first time I worked directly with Greenpeace. I was basically attending on my own - more or less affiliated with some small groups. Because we were all there with the same goal in mind we all worked together. Right away, I saw how these international conventions and agreements could determine how the international community responded, or failed to respond, to global environmental issues. I also realised that I liked working in this mix of politics, science, international law and the sense of community you get working towards a common goal. It feels great when you know you are part of a truly global effort to protect the last remaining stocks of whales world wide.

Andrew: Does our work here in the Southern Ocean have a broader implication beyond stopping illegal whaling?

John: Definitely. The creation of the Southern Ocean whale sanctuary was a big step forward. Holding the Japanese government accountable for allowing, and financially supporting, this violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) will set another precedent for protection of the oceans. Also, strengthening work in one area helps the overall push for global environmental protection because none of these conventions stand alone.

Andrew: I understand Ireland has played a special role in shaping international agreements about whales...

John: Yes, it has. In 1994, thanks especially to the work of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and Greenpeace, Ireland enacted Europe’s first whale and dolphin sanctuary. Also, in 1994 the IWC meeting was held in Mexico. I was the Campaigns Director at Greenpeace Ireland at the time, and had been quietly talking to civil servants and politicians about the dangers of commercial whaling. At this meeting the Irish Government took the lead in the creation of a Southern Ocean Sanctuary. The sanctuary is as big as it is today because the Irish Government took a strong stand at that meeting.

Andrew: This is your 15th expedition on a Greenpeace ship. How does this expedition compare with the others?

John: Well, it’s a lot longer for starters, but I love the Arctic Sunrise. I say that about every ship I work on, but this one is special. She does roll a lot, which makes life no picnic, but she has a cozy feel to her and she’s a very tough ship. Even here in the roughest ocean in the world I feel safe.

Andrew: Are you looking forward to being in Antarctica for the New Year?

John: Sure, this is a great place to be for the New Year. Christmas will be rough, though. Every year, my wife, Trish, and I host both of our families for Christmas. It will be hard to be away from them this year. But there’s a job to be done.

Andrew: When you’re not working on Greenpeace ships what do you do with your time?

John: I stay pretty busy, including a fair amount of writing. I write a monthly piece for Reality, a Catholic magazine published in Ireland. Also, I do a lot of school talks. The science and the religion teachers are usually the ones that ask me to come in and talk to their class. Plus, these days I do a lot of work on preserving green space in Dublin. I recently finished a report about the last 100 acres of agricultural space in Dublin, and I am part of a local group working to preserve a historic canal as a place for people to get away to.

John: At the turning of a new millennium it’s time for the world to tell Japan, “Stop your illegal whaling!