Saving Migaloo, the white fella whale

Environment Minister Peter Garrett has stated that when he attends the new federal government's first cabinet meeting today he will be raising Labor's election promise to send the Australian Navy south to monitor the Japanese whaling fleet.

This pseudo-scientific annual kill by Japanese whaling vessels, which in reality is a highly lucrative commercial endeavour, must be stopped.

Diplomacy may have its value, however it is of little use for the Australian Government to be successful at International Whaling Commission meetings on this issue if Japan continues to flout the rules in this manner.

This year for the first time since the moratorium on commercial whaling in southern waters began, the Japanese fleet will also be hunting Humpback as well as Fin and Minke whales.

The highly visible white whale Migaloo will therefore be vulnerable.

The NSW North Coast has a special interest in these whales as their migration path runs close inshore to our coastline each year. They are a unique attraction and are affectionately viewed as a special part of our local environment.

Greenpeace continues to do a splendid job in monitoring the annual southern whale hunt, but the fact remains that the Japanese Government will only respond to our concerns if the Rudd Government gets serious about protecting these gentle giants of the sea.

This first Labor cabinet meeting will also be a test of how seriously other ministers take Peter Garrett's concerns.

At a personal level I intend to take Clarencegirl's advice and boycott all Japanese produce and products from now on.

The Sydney Morning Herald yesterday.
 http://www.smh.com.au/news/whale-watch/alp-faces-whale-of-a-decision/2007/12/01/1196394682277.html

Migaloo information and pictures:

http://www.migaloowhale.org/