John Singleton's campaign to support Sea Shepherd

Singleton has put his money where his mouth is by contributing an initial $250,000 in cash, as well as pledging the ongoing support of Bluetongue Brewery. Bluetongue is the first Australian beer to confirm its "whale safe" status.

Bluetongue Brewery, an entirely Australian owned and operated company, will also be donating $1 from every case of its Premium Lager sold from 1 January to 1 April 2007 to Sea Shepherd as part of its continued support and sponsorship.

Sea Shepherd, founded in 1977 by Captain Paul Watson, is committed to the eradication of pirate whaling, poaching, shark finning, unlawful habitat destruction, and violations of established laws in the world's oceans.

John Singleton is expecting a few raised eyebrows with the "whale safe beer" campaign, but notes it is a simple campaign to send some very serious messages.

"I am a supporter of Sea Shepherd, the phenomenal efforts of Captain Paul Watson and his crew. These guys literally put themselves in the firing line, between the whales and Japanese harpoons.

"Japan continues to hunt hundreds of whales each year in our backyard, the Southern Ocean, on the pretext of scientific research. However the enormous numbers don't bear out, it's a thinly-disguised way of carrying out subsidised commercial whaling. Who are they kidding?

"We want the Australian consumer to be aware of who owns their beer company, and what the owners of those brewers really represent and stand for. Do you know who owns and has a say in the making of your beer?"

"For any Australian, who is anti-whaling, show your support by choosing Bluetongue Premium Lager, Australia's first whale safe beer," says Singleton.

Captain Paul Watson of Sea Shepherd is grateful for the sponsorship; "The fact that John Singleton and Bluetongue have come on board will enable us to expose the massacre that occurs every Antarctic summer. We spend most of the year at sea; we rely on our land-bound supporters to help spread the message. The more people know what goes on, the more likely these pirates will be held accountable for their actions. I hope more 100% owned Australian brewers put their hands up and say 'our beer is whale safe'." Captain Watson said.

Commenting on the broader campaign message, Jack Singleton said, "Environmental issues and socially responsible campaigns are no longer just the territory of fringe-dwellers and tree-huggers. The triple bottom line should become a Board-level priority - look at what's been achieved for Breast Cancer with the Pink Ribbon campaign. With clever creative and marketing, most organisations can find a way to make a social contribution, commercially-viable. The Sea Shepherd / "Whale Safe Beer" campaign is a win/win and we make no apologies for that - there should be more of it".

So protest at the bar and help conserve and protect the whales of the Southern Ocean.
To register your formal protest vote go to www.whalesafebeer.com