Why Japan can do this in the name of 'research' (End whaling)

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Why Japan can do this in the name of 'research'

 

Source >

http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1260 & storyid=3129132

 

May 16, 2005

 

MORE than 400 whales have been slaughtered in

Australian waters since a sanctuary was established in

2000 to protect them because of a decision by the

Federal Government not to intercept whaling vessels.

 

Documents submitted to the Federal Court by the

Government reveal that it has deliberately not

attempted to stop Japanese whalers in its exclusive

economic zone (EEZ) for reasons including a conclusion

they were too fast.

 

Instead, it has set out a list of instructions to

Australian Antarctic Division leaders on what to do

when they encounter a Japanese vessel.

 

The instructions include videotaping a whaler's

activities, trying to contact it, identifying it and

obtaining any other information that could be used as

legal evidence in possible future proceedings.

 

However, the documents reveal that the Australian laws

established to protect the EEZ around Antarctica --

now a whale sanctuary -- which provide for two-year

jail penalties for killing whales, were never meant to

be enforced.

 

" For the reasons ... [diplomatic problems] the

Commonwealth has not sought to intercept, board and

arrest Japanese vessels engaged in whaling activities

in the EEZ adjacent to the Australian Antarctic

territory, " according to a submission to the Federal

Court from Attorney-General Philip Ruddock.

 

" This is apart from the significant practical and

logistical difficulties of intercepting and then

successfully boarding fast and well-equipped vessels

in the remote, vast and hostile Southern Ocean

environment. "

 

The submission was made earlier this year in an

attempt to prevent a case being brought by Humane

Society International, which sought to force the

Government into enforcing its laws.

 

The Daily Telegraph learned last night, however, that

the Australian Government had successfully lobbied the

US and the UK to join a high-level diplomatic mission

to Tokyo to seek a backdown from Japan.

 

Environment Minister Ian Campbell said the Prime

Minister had yesterday given his support to a

" demarsh " -- which is the highest level of diplomatic

representation usually involving an admonishment of a

country's activities.

 

It is likely that this will take place in the next

three weeks before the International Whaling

Commission meets in Korea to decide on Japan's

proposal to increase its whale harvest.

 

" Australia is dealing with a number of other countries

to co-ordinate a high-level representation to Japan, "

Mr Campbell said.

 

Australian Greens Senator Bob Brown said Australia

should suspend trade talks with Japan if the Japanese

go ahead with plans to kill humpback whales in

Antarctic waters. " This great mammal was almost sent

to extinction, " he said.

 

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Australia, write to: 112 Empire Circuit, Yarralumla

ACT 2600, Or ring: (02) 6273 3244, Or fax: (02) 6273

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