Editorial Comment:
Recent public statements by Japan's new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and his Foreign Minister, Katsuya Okada dashed expectations of a change in policy towards whales following the recent change of Government in Japan.
The Australian Government's response was for Prime Minister Rudd to once again threaten legal action.
The most interesting aspect of the political exchange was that Japan dropped all pretence about its so-called 'scientific-whaling' and strongly asserted Japan's right to kill and eat whales. This brings the issue into clear focus: for Japan 'whales' are about 'food security'; for Australia, and most of the rest of the world, 'whales' are a conservation issue. For background see: Why think about whales at Christmas.
The United Nations Forum for 'food security' is the FAO and the forum for 'whale conservation'
is the International Whaling Commission. Continuing threats of legal action against Japan by Australia must now be backed up with action. Contact your Local Member of the Federal Parliament and urge them to hold the Rudd Goverment to its word on the whale issue in 2010.
The 60 minute Audio CD Album titled 'Songlines - Songs of the Eastern Australian Humpbacks' featuring 'Migaloo' is now availble online.
Sixty Australian Communities are now supporting Australian Humpback Whales. Check if your Community is involved in the Humpback ICON Project. Get the latest HIP News the HIP Brief and the HIP Fact Sheet.
Check Help Save Our Humpbacks for information about what you can do to continue pressure to help the Eastern Australian Humpback Whales.
Check iWhales.org. Movies, sounds and photography of Eastern Australian Humpbacks recorded during our Annual Whale Research Expedtions in Hervey Bay are now availble as DVD's or downloadable films.
Check The Oceania Project's Facebook Group for recent postings.
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Download the latest
Humpback Migration Icon film:
'Amoroso'.
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