Sunday, 15 January 2017 

Japanese whaler's security ship, Kaiyo Maru #7, currently patrolling in the Southern Ocean as part of the whaling fleet. Photo: Sea Shepherd Global / Josh ReynoldsToday the Prime Minister of Japan plans to meet with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in Sydney. Sea Shepherd calls on Mr Turnbull to take action on ending illegal whaling on behalf of this whale loving nation.  The Turnbull Government in Opposition promised to send a vessel to oppose whaling by Japan, stating that “we had blood in the water and a blind eye in Canberra", yet there has not even been a word of opposition to this summer's planned slaughter. Currently Sea Shepherd has two vessels, the Ocean Warrior and the Steve Irwin patrolling the Southern Ocean in order to halt whaling in Australia's waters by Japan.

Sea Shepherd Australia's Managing Director Jeff Hansen stated, "It is the Turnbull Government that has a blind eye, a blind eye to the killing of Australia’s whales, a blind eye to the International Court of Justice and a blind eye to the Australian Federal Court that the Japanese whale poachers are in contempt of. It is a fact that the Japanese whaling fleet is heavily funded and backed by the Government of Japan, which is of course headed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. For Mr Abe to enter into Australia, while his whale murdering fleet are operating in the Southern Ocean whale sanctuary, killing whales, is extremely arrogant and highlights the fact that he feels completely welcomed by our Government. 

Japanese harpoon ship, Yushin Maru #3, on the hunt for whales. credit Sea Shepherd Global/Sam EdmondsGiven that 80% of Australians want the Turnbull Government to send a vessel to oppose whaling, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe should not be allowed to enter into Australia unless he calls his whaling poaching fleet out of Australia’s whale sanctuary and back to Japan. It is high time that Prime Minister Turnbull represented the wishes of the people of Australia, stood up for the people of Australia, and not simply bending over for the wishes of Tokyo."

Captain of the Steve Irwin Wyanda Lublink said, "I find it unbelievable that the Australian Government is willing to spend so much money on just hosting the Prime Minister from Japan in Australia while they refuse to spend any money on protecting their own backyard. 80% Of the Australian citizens support our actions here in the Southern Ocean, however our Government refuses to admit this. Having Japan pay their Federal Court fine should be first on the list to discuss. If they are so keen about earning money, why not let Japan pay the fine.
The Australian Government needs to realise "If the oceans die, we die"....so what is the point of discussing "first world problems" if Malcolm Turnbull is not willing to protect what keeps us alive in the first place."

Ocean Warrior Captain Adam Meyerson stated, "It is frustrating to be risking the lives of my crew by defending whales in the Australian Whale Sanctuary from Japanese harpoons while the leaders of these two countries pat each other on the back over what great friends they are. Prime Minister Turnbull, I ask you to show some backbone and stand up for the whales that are under your protection.”