18/05/2005 - Local government
areas with sister city relationships with
Japan have been urged to use their friendly
relationships to convey community concern
about the Japanese Fishing Agency's push to
raise its so-called "scientific whaling
quota".
Environment and Heritage Minister Senator
Ian Campbell said Japan's hopes to increase
its take of minke whales from 440 to 850 a
year and to add 50 each of humpback and fin
whales had appalled Australians, where the
endangered humpback and other species were
a regular feature of our waters on their annual
migratory paths along our coastlines.
Senator Campbell said that while he was pursuing
the issue on behalf of the Australian Government
with like-minded members of the International
Whaling Commission to oppose Japan's bid,
local communities could also play a part.
"It would be very helpful to our cause
against the slaughter of whales if local authorities
with sister-city ties were to relay the concerns
of their communities to their counterparts
in Japan," he said.
"It is an entirely appropriate thing
for Australians to do to tell the Japanese
that while we are very friendly with them,
good friends can disagree and that the slaughter
of whales is something that this generation
should put an end to."
Senator Campbell repeated his commitment
to publish the voting records of IWC nations
to provide transparency to the process.
"It is important that the world knows
how some nations are voting in support of
the slaughter of whales so those nations can
feel the impact of public opinion and public
censure," he said.
"This so-called scientific kill is simply
exploitation and a practice that does not
belong in the 21st century in a world where
most people would like to see whales conserved,
not chopped up and put on dinner tables."
The Australian Sister Cities Association lists
local government authorities with sister-city
relationships with Japan. Its website can
be found at www.asca.asn.au.
