Japan’s whaling fleet has again set sail for the Southern Ocean to hunt its annual “scientific” quota of 440 minke whales. But the vessels could be stopped short by an Australian court.
The Federal Court of Australia is due to give its verdict this week on whether Humane Society International, a non-governmental organisation, can proceed with its application for a restraining order that would prevent Japan’s fleet from hunting within an area known as the Australian Whale Sanctuary. Set up in 2000, the sanctuary encompasses all of Australia’s waters, including those that it claims off Antarctica. HSI claims that one-quarter…
