Diplomacy maintains the status quo on whaling

Diplomacy maintains the status quo on whaling

"Japan may have won a symbolic victory with today's IWC vote, but so far it has lost all four votes that counted," said Senator Rachel Siewert.

"It is abundantly clear that Australia's next step must be to challenge Japan's unlawful so-called 'scientific' whaling in the international courts."

"Australian diplomacy has succeeded in maintaining the status quo."

"Japan clearly cannot yet command the 53 votes it needs for a three-quarters majority to overturn the moratorium on commercial whaling," she said.

"Unfortunately maintaining the status quo will mean Japan can continue its plan to 'scientifically' slaughter nearly 1000 whales – now including rare Fin and Humpback species."

"Meanwhile the symbolic vote proclaiming the moratorium is no longer valid and non-government organisations (like Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd) are a 'threat' is likely to prompt a major propaganda campaign by the well-funded pro-whaling lobby," said Senator Siewert.

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