28 February 2008
OCEANIC VIKING RETURNS TO AUSTRALIA
Customs vessel the Oceanic Viking has returned to Fremantle this morning after its successful mission monitoring Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean, Minister for Home Affairs Bob Debus said today.
“I want to congratulate the crew of the Viking who carried out their seven week mission with professionalism and dedication, often in extremely tough conditions.
“The Oceanic Viking covered more than 5,000 nautical miles and successfully gathered enough evidence of whaling for use in any potential legal action.
“Customs officers operated in rigid hull inflatable boats in big seas, sometimes up to ten nautical miles away from the Oceanic Viking, dodging sea ice in zero temperatures.
“The crew will be looking forward to a well-earned break and I thank them on behalf of the Government and the Australian public, which overwhelmingly opposes whaling.
“The Government is very carefully considering international legal action and we’ll make a judgement at a time of our choosing, after all possible options have been considered.
“Legal action is only one element of our initiatives to stop whaling.
“We are also increasing our diplomatic engagement with Japan and will continue to pursue dialogue with the Japanese Government.
“Australia has always argued that the methods used to kill the whales are inhumane and killing a thousand whales is unnecessary on scientific grounds.
“Non-lethal whale research methods exist and should be used.
“The Government continues to place high importance on our strong bilateral relationship with Japan – whaling is about the only thing on which we disagree.”
Media Contact: Samantha Wills 0448 721 372