LETTER TO MINISTERS OF AUSTRALIA

The Hon. Peter Garrett
 Minister for the Environment and Heritage 
 House of Representatives
 Parliament House
 Canberra ACT 2600
 Phone: (02)6277 7640
fax: (02) 6273 6101
E-mail: Peter.Garrett.MP@aph.gov.au

Dear Mr. Garrett,

I am deeply concerned about Japan's intention to double their
"scientific" kill of minke whales and to hunt humpback and fin whales in
Antarctic waters. Some of these whales will be killed within the
Australian Whale Sanctuary and will include humpbacks that migrate up
the east and west coast of Australia every year.

Killing humpback whales under IWC Special Permit in Antarctic waters
will adversely affect their population. Whales are very slow breeders
and still have not come close to recovering from 200 years of commercial
whaling. Humpback whales are only just recovering from near-extinction.

There is no scientific basis for Japanese whaling which is obviously
conducted mainly for commercial purposes. Whales do not have to be
killed to research their migration, age, ecology, or behaviour. Japan's
scientific research programs are exploiting regulations under the IWC.

The Japanese Whaling Fleet has been killing whales in the Australian
Whale Sanctuary adjacent to Antarctic waters. Diplomacy alone is not
enough to prevent our whales being slaughtered. Taking Japan to the
International Court of Justice would let Japan know Australia is serious
about protecting its whales and whale-watching industries. Please
fulfill your campaign promise and send an Australian Navy ship down to
monitor the Japanese whaling activities.

Please continue to apply pressure to Pacific Islands such as Solomon
Islands, Tuvalu, Kiribati etc. that we have supported financially for
decades to not vote in favour of whaling at the IWC, which they recently
joined. It is in their interest to preserve whales.

I urge your government to take every possible step to prevent Japan from
killing our beloved humpback, minke and fin whales. Don't let them turn
back the clock.

Respectfully,