Japan's whaling mission resulted in the slaughtering of more than 300 whales including 200 pregnant females that concluded last week from their return from the Southern Ocean in the Antarctic region.
According to Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research, their ships have returned from this "scientific expedition" where four ships journeyed to the southern polar region for 115 days beginning December 1 of last year that yielded the killing of 333 minke whales.
This act sparked international criticism and condemnation from many environmental and conservation groups even despite a United Nations legal ruling last 2014 that bans whaling activity in the Southern Ocean. This act of defiance was deemed as a "front" for commercial whaling.
According to the director of the Australian Marine Conservation Society, Darren Kindleysides, Japan stopped its whaling hunt during the summer of 2014 and 2015 for the first time in 70 years of its whaling program, unfortunately this break was only temporary.
In addition, international experts also investigated on Japan's scientific whaling mission and announced that this research program is just as disguise for hunting and killing whales that was within breach of international laws. He adds that the Australian government aims to make this the first and last season for Japan's so called research expedition.
The Australian government says that Japan's decision to return to whaling was "deeply disappointing", raising the highest level of concerns where Australia considered sending a customs patrol vessel to the Southern Ocean.
However, according to conservation group Sea Sheperd, last February, the Japanese fleet did not even faced criticism over the summer from any Australian or New Zealand government which appear to be unwilling to send a ship to intercept the Japanese mission.
According to Jeff Hansen who is Sea Shepherd Australia's managing director, these are false promises that have happened numerous times from the Australian and New Zealand governments that resulted in whales being killed illegally within the Australian Whale Sanctuary. He adds that majority of Australians want the Australian government to send a vessel to oppose this slaughter but they failed to do so.
According to Australian Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson, the Australian government has turned its back on Japan's "sickening" illegal animal hunt. In 40 years, the government has done so little to prevent whaling in our waters, he adds.
To date, the government refused to confirm repeatedly if they already carried out monitoring missions at the Southern Ocean. According to Australian environment minister, Greg Hunt, the Australian government opposes whaling clearly, absolutely and categorically, adding that this act is abhorrent where there is no scientific justification for lethal research.