Call to press Japan on whaling

Whale-watching operators have joined environment groups in urging Australia to step up efforts to persuade Japan to give up its annual whale hunt in the Southern Ocean.

The Federal Government is considering the deployment of a customs ship, armed with machine guns, as part of beefed-up monitoring of the Japanese whaling fleet.
Greenpeace and Australian whale-watching operators welcomed reports that the customs vessel, the 105m Oceanic Viking, may be sent to the Southern Ocean to monitor the upcoming whale hunt. Viking is a full-time contracted vessel, equipped with deck-mounted twin 50mm machine guns and a fully equipped medical centre. By observing, the hunt Australia will be able to gather evidence to take international legal action.
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