Calls for Restraint as Whaling Season Begins in Antarctic Waters
There have been calls for restraint in whaling activism following the departure of several anti-whaling groups from Australia and New Zealand this week.
The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Anthony Albanese, today urged both the Japanese whaling fleet and ships operated by environmental groups to exercise restraint in their interactions in the Southern Ocean during the current whaling season.
Mr Albanese warned that the Southern Ocean is a remote and hostile region with limited response capacity to a marine incident, including sparse medical and emergency response facilities.
“It is vital that these ships operate safely and peacefully and observe all relevant laws and standards for safety of life at sea and protection of the marine environment,” Mr Albanese said.
