The Captain and First Officer of the Farley Mowat have been released on bail, but its crew are reportedly now on hunger strike.

The crew are protesting the seizure of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society flagship at gunpoint by Royal Canadian Mounted Police on Saturday in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn claims the raid took place within Canadian waters, but SSCS founder and President Paul Watson says the ship was in international waters when it was boarded and towed.

The Farley Mowat — which wintered in Dockyard ahead of its anti-seal hunt campaign, was towed to Sydney, Nova Scotia, where Captain Alexander Cornelissen and First Officer Peter Hammarstedt appeared in court yesterday charged with violating Canada's marine mammal regulations and the Fisheries Act.

The 17 crew members — who include 24-year-old Laura Dakin from Bermuda, have been attempting to take photographs and footage of the slaughter to raise awareness and bring pressure on the Canadian government.

Mr. Cornelissen and Mr. Hammarstedt have been charged with violating restrictions on coming within 900 metres of the hunt without an observation licence. Yesterday, the pair were bailed at $10,000, pending a court hearing on May 1. If convicted they could face six months in jail or a $100,000 fine.

Although Miss Dakin was not on board the Farley Mowat at the time of its seizure, six of her crewmates were taken into custody after refusing Canadian Immigration and Customs checks. Five have now been released but say they will refuse to eat until their companions are released.

According to The Cape Breton Post, Mr. Watson said: "They were forced into Canada at gunpoint and that's why the six of them who were detained by customs say they objected to being brought forcefully into Canada.

"They had no intention of coming into Canada. You can't board a foreign-registered vessel on the high seas, it's an act of piracy."

Mr. Watson — who arrived in Sydney on Sunday — said the arrests will add to the pressure on the European Parliament, which is considering a motion to ban seal products this summer.

The crew of the Farley Mowat will remain in port until their ship is released.