The Greens are calling for the Albanese government to immediately confirm with the Japanese consulate whether Japanese whaling "research" vessels are currently operating in the Southern Ocean, and if so, send the strongest possible message to Japan not to resume whaling.
It comes following reports of three Japanese whaling "research" ships off Australia's Antarctic coastline.
As stated by Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:
"The Australian Government has historically proven to be a fierce ally for cetaceans through the International Whaling Commission and other diplomatic forums.
"In 2010 Australia successfully took Japan to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over its whaling 'research' activities in the Southern Ocean. This momentous international animal law case led to Japan's whaling 'research' program being deemed illegal.
"It's hard not to be cynical about the intention of Japanese whaling 'research' ships operating off Australia's Antarctic coastline given Japan's former 'research program' was proven by the ICJ to be a thinly disguised commercial whaling operation.
"Last year Japan commissioned a USD$47 million whale factory processing ship, stoking fears that a resumption of whaling in the Southern Ocean was on the horizon.
"It's a critical time for the Australian Government to step up its advocacy for the protection of whales, and use its influence to get an ironclad guarantee from Tokyo that Japan is not preparing to resume whaling in the Southern Ocean."
