SYDNEY, N.S. — A provincial court judge in Nova Scotia will hold a hearing May 9 to determine if a ship seized by the federal government over alleged seal hunt violations should be returned to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
The Farley Mowat was seized off Cape Breton on April 12 after it was boarded by RCMP officers and its 17-member crew taken into custody for allegedly getting too close to the hunt.
Its captain, Alex Cornelissen, and first mate Peter Hammarstedt were charged with violating the Fisheries Act.
The ship is being held in Sydney, where a judge also scheduled a preliminary hearing Thursday on the charges for July 2.
Outside court, lawyer Guy LaFosse said both his clients - who have been released on bail - will plead not guilty to the charges.
Paul Watson, head of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, has said he wants the vessel back.
http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5g4H94boQcO2k5S2wEtVWJ_NO-c7QMay Day” for the Seal Slaughter on May Day - Captain Paul Watson
http://www.seashepherd.org/editorials/editorial_080430_2.html