Detained anti-whaling activist kicked out of Sea Shepherd

An artist's impression of New Zealander Pether Bethune on the dock in Japan. Image / NHK

Pete Bethune has been axed from any future anti-whaling protests led by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

The move follows allegations by the Sea Shepherd that Mr Bethune had a bow and arrows aboard the Ady Gil when it sank in the Southern Ocean, following a collision with a Japanese whaling boat.

In a statement released by the Sea Shepherd, the organisation said the bow and arrows "are not in line with the Sea Shepherd's policy".

"Even though we know Captain Bethune's objectives were sincere, that the bow and arrows were never used in Sea Shepherd actions and that he certainly never intended to use the bow and arrows against any person, his decision to bring them on a Sea Shepherd campaign is unacceptable," the Sea Shepherd's Bob Barker captain Chuck Swift said.

He said Bethune will not be invited on any future trips to the Southern Ocean.

Captain Swift said the organisation will continue to support Bethune in his legal battle in Japan.

The Japanese Institute of Cetacean Research released photos of the alleged arrows back in January.

"Bowgun arrows are weapons with the ability to produce casualties if used against a person or persons," institute spokesman Glenn Inwood told the Australian newspaper.

Sea Shepherd leader Paul Watson dismissed the claims in January, calling them ridiculous.

"That makes no sense at all," he said. "Unless Robin Hood has smuggled himself on that boat I don't know what that's all about.

"The Japanese deliberately rammed and destroyed a $2 million ship and they're calling us extremists; this whole thing is laughable," he told the newspaper.

Meanwhile, Bethune faces a final day in court on Thursday, when closing statements will be made.

Bethune is facing up to 15 years in jail if he is found guilty of five criminal charges including assault and trespass which were laid after clashes with Japanese whalers earlier this year.

The Sea Shepherd has not returned phone calls.

- NZ Herald staff