The Australian Greens today called for immediate action from the Australian Government on whaling, following reports that the Japanese whaling fleet left port yesterday.

"The Government's commitment to funding non-lethal whaling research mustn't stop them preparing for immediate action during the upcoming whaling season," said Senator Rachel Siewert.

"The 2008/09 whaling season is nearly upon us, and whilst I'm glad to see the Government pursuing the anti-whaling cause, Australians don't want to see more whales killed this summer while the non-lethal research gets underway. The Government needs to pursue international legal action and set in place plans for monitoring activities when the whaling season starts."

"The Japanese whaling fleet is reported to have left port on Monday, yet the Government has yet to commit resources for even monitoring activities."

"This new focus for anti-whaling is welcome, but still relies on hoping for the best in this coming whaling season. With the Government allocating no resources in the budget and no plans to send any surveillance or interception vessels, it will be left up to community organisations to actively monitor and attempt to stop whaling operations this summer," she said.

"The need for Government action is now imperative. With the Japanese fleet reportedly underway, it is only a matter of time before they start whaling. I urge Minister Garrett to immediately order an Australian monitoring vessel into the southern oceans."

"Australians do not want another season go buy with hundreds of whales slaughtered under the guise of Japanese ‘scientific research,'" she concluded.

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