Illegal whaling in Australia’s waters needs to be major issue in talks between Malcolm Turnbull and Shinzo Abe
Tomorrow, the Prime Minister of Japan plans to meet with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in Sydney. Sea
Shepherd calls on Mr Turnbull to take action on ending illegal whaling on behalf of this whale loving nation. The
Turnbull Government in Opposition promised to send a vessel to oppose whaling by Japan, stating that “we had blood in
the water and a blind eye in Canberra", yet there has not even been a word of opposition to this summer's planned
slaughter. Currently Sea Shepherd has two vessels, the Ocean Warrior and the Steve Irwin patrolling the Southern Ocean
in order to halt whaling in Australia's waters by Japan.
Sea Shepherd Australia's Managing Director Jeff Hansen stated, "It is the Turnbull Government that has a blind eye, a
blind eye to the killing of Australia’s whales, a blind eye to the International Court of Justice and a blind eye to the
Australian Federal Court that the Japanese whale poachers are in contempt of. It is a fact that the Japanese whaling
fleet is heavily funded and backed by the Government of Japan, which is of course headed by Japanese Prime Minister
Shinzo Abe. For Mr Abe to enter into Australia, while his whale murdering fleet are operating in the Southern Ocean
whale sanctuary, killing whales, is extremely arrogant and highlights the fact that he feels completely welcomed by our
Government.
Given that 80% of Australians want the Turnbull Government to send a vessel to oppose whaling, Japan’s Prime Minister
Shinzo Abe should not be allowed to enter into Australia unless he calls his whaling poaching fleet out of Australia’s
whale sanctuary and back to Japan. It is high time that Prime Minister Turnbull represented the wishes of the people of
Australia, stood up for the people of Australia, and not simply bending over for the wishes of Tokyo."
Captain of the Steve Irwin Wyanda Lublink said, "I find it unbelievable that the Australian Government is willing to
spend so much money on just hosting the Prime Minister from Japan in Australia while they refuse to spend any money on
protecting their own backyard. 80% Of the Australian citizens support our actions here in the Southern Ocean, however
our Government refuses to admit this. Having Japan pay their Federal Court fine should be first on the list to discuss.
If they are so keen about earning money, why not let Japan pay the fine.
The Australian Government needs to realise 'If the oceans die, we die'....so what is the point of discussing 'first
world problems' if Malcolm Turnbull is not willing to protect what keeps us alive in the first place."
Ocean Warrior Captain Adam Meyerson stated, "It is frustrating to be risking the lives of my crew by defending whales in
the Australian Whale Sanctuary from Japanese harpoons while the leaders of these two countries pat each other on the
back over what great friends they are. Prime Minister Turnbull, I ask you to show some backbone and stand up for the
whales that are under your protection.”