The combined fishing and whaling vessel "Senet" was set on fire in the early hours of Wednesday April 30. The police believe they are dealing with an act of arson as the vessel was burning in several different places and a petrol can was found nearby, reports the Norwegian radio station P4 on April 30. The "Senet" has previously been targeted by activists from Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace.
The fire brigade was quick to gain control of the fire, which was reported to the police at 5.45 a.m.. At present, the extent of the damage is not known. A person, representing a group calling itself "Agenda21", has claimed responsibility for the fire. The "Senet" is a 56 foot long whaling vessel, and was moored at Slevikkilen on the island of Onsøy just off the town of Fredrikstad.
In January 1994, the cetacean rights organisation, Sea Shepherd, attempted to scuttle the "Senet", and the police are pressing charges of criminal damage against Sea Shepherd International Director, Lisa Distefano, in connection with the incident. Together with her husband, Paul Watson, Distefano has also been sentenced to 120 days of unconditional imprisonment for an attempt to scuttle the combined fishing and whaling vessel "Nybrænna" in 1992. Watson has now been remanded in custody in the Netherlands and the Norwegian authorities have submitted an order for his extradition.
In 1994, Greenpeace obstructed the "Senet" in the execution
of its work during the whaling season by, amongst other things, boarding
the vessel and cutting loose a dying whale. In 1995 Greenpeace was sentenced
to pay £17,000 in damages to the vessel's skipper and owner, Arvid
Enghaugen. In addition, Greenpeace was ordered to pay his legal expenses
amounting to £11,000.