KEY POINTS:
Greenpeace has been forced to abandon its efforts against the Japanese whaling fleet.
The protest ship Esperanza has managed to disrupt the whalers in the Southern Ocean for two weeks, but is running low on fuel and has to return to port.
Expedition leader Karli Thomas says the ship sent a last radio message to the whalers on board the factory ship the Nisshin Maru.
She says Greenpeace Japan campaigner Sakyo Noda told the fleet that the activists believe the whalers are under orders from Tokyo not to allow anyone to witness their "fake science programme."
"Each of you on board your ship must ask yourself why, if there is nothing wrong with your science programme, do you need to hide from public scrutiny and run away from legitimate peaceful protest?"
Ms Thomas says there is a strange feeling on board the Esperanza as crew members have been successful in keeping the Japanese fleet out of action, but it is frustrating not to be able to stay longer.
She says at least the Australian Government';s ship, Oceanic Viking is staying with the whalers.
Greenpeace estimates the fleet needed to catch approximately nine Minke whales each day and an endangered fin whale every other day in order to reach their self-imposed quota of nearly 1,000 whales.
Greenpeace says its achievements during the chase include blocking attempts by the Nisshin Maru to receive fuel from, and transfer whale meat to, the Panamian-registered Oriental Bluebird.
- NEWSTALK ZB
