In Tokyo today Australia joined 17 other countries in making a
demarche to Japan opposing its scientific whaling program.
The demarche sets out our strong concerns about Japan's continuing
program of lethal whaling. Australia is disappointed that Japan
is now expanding its program of whaling in the North Pacific to
include another species, the sei whale.
The World Conservation Union (IUCN) lists the sei whale as endangered
because it faces a very high risk of extinction in the near future.
Reports suggest Japan plans to target 50 endangered sei whales in
the 2002 season and to increase its take of minke whales by 50 to
150.
There is ample evidence that the scientific objectives of Japan's
research program could be achieved using non-lethal means.
Eighteen countries including Australia are calling on Japan to
comply with International Whaling Commission (IWC) resolutions which
urge Japan to end its lethal whaling research program.
Australia will continue to promote increased protection for whales
at the forthcoming meeting of the IWC in Shimonoseki later this
month.
The countries which joined Australia in voicing opposition to Japan's
scientific whaling program were: Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Chile,
Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Peru, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands,
New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, UK and the US.
Contacts: Chris Kenny (02) 62613098 (Mr Downer) / Catherine
Job (02) 6277 7640 (Dr Kemp)
