AUSTRALIA TAKES UP THE CAUSE OF THE WHALE : AUSTRALIA THROWS ITS HAT IN THE FIGHT AT THE UN WORLD COURT TO HALT ILLEGAL WHALE FISHING

 

 photo: lightbox images

The Sea Shepherd Conservancy Group are about to get a great boost for their long time efforts to halt Japan's illegal whale hunt in the waters off Antarctica from Australia's government.

Boxed in between claims from Japan that Australia is aiding sea piracy in protecting the Sea Shepherd's activists and protecting the sovereignty of its waters, Australia has finally taken the initiative to stop Japan's activity once and for all through a legal action that will come before the United Nations' International Court in June.

This is not the first time Australia has taken Japan to court.  In its first action of 2010, Australia filed suit against Japan claiming that the Japanese fleet did not stop pursuit of the whale even though the large volume of whale kills each year is illegal according to international bans.  

The Japanese on their part have always contended that they are doing 'research' but the sheer volume of the kills they pursue neatly contradicts their arguments.  They also contend that whale meat has always been part of the diet, as a traditional meal, and with that ignore completely the fact that other nations are observing the ban, while they are not.

In this new suit however, Australia is expressly asking that the ICU at Le Hague order Japan to halt its whale 'research' hunt, and is asking that any permit issued the Japanese fleet be rescinded and any license voided.  

Australia is also seeking guarantees from the ICU courts that the Japanese government "not undertake any new 'research' until it has demonstrated that it is operating in conformity with international law."

Japan on their part has already complained that their whaling season this year has been abysmally low due to interference from activists' actions from the Sea Shepherd Group.  

The suit by Australia will be followed by similar action from both New Zealand and Canberra.  Both have been incensed by the Japanese flouting of the international guidelines on whaling.  

Just in the last week, the Japanese fleet killed 103 whales, which Australian minister Burke, said are 103 whales too many.

Source: France 24/ 4.11.13