With the Southern Ocean whale war manifesting itself as skirmishes and a collision in Australia's Antarctic economic exclusion zone last Friday, I have to wonder what if anything the Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for the Environment are doing about this situation.Are all three men too busy with their Christmas partying to notice that Japan is once again thumbing its nose at Australian law?
Japan's front for commercial whaling, the Institute of Cetacean Research, is alleging terrorist attack in its media release and the Sea Shepherd organisation is countering with a right protected by the United Nations Charter for Nature - if this sea chase goes on for much longer the chances of a real incident developing grows.
How many years is this issue going to be allowed to drag on so dangerously?
2 comments:
Its simple- Japan doesn't recognise those as Austrialian waters, infact from what I hear only 4 Nations do- none of which is even the United States.
No Anonymous, it's actually not that simple.
Earlier this year the UN granted Australia exclusive property rights for the area south of 60 degrees south which reaches into Antarctic waters.
This is the first such grant.
So in theory a lot more countries now recognize (in part or whole)the Australian Economic Exclusion Zone(EEZ)than those who do not.
Australia is also a signatory to the Antarctic treaty which means it is required to evaluate and control scientific and commercial activities that might have an environmental impact.
If the "Steve Irwin" reported contact correctly, then Japan's whaling fleet was attempting to hunt in the EEZ.
International law is yet to be tested on this, but it seems that Japan not Australia is on the thinest ice here.
Bit of background:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/25/2227822.htm
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