Whales head south into danger
From the Sunshine Coast to southern Tasmania, towns are joining forces in a push for Australia’s Government to take action and stop the looming humpback slaughter by Japanese whalers.
In the lead-up to the visit of Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe in September more than thirty towns have begun adopting individual humpbacks catalogued by the shape and marks of its fluke. Byron Bay has adopted Yumbahlehla, a female.
The first humpbacks of the southern migration - pregnant females - will start to head south to Antarctica within weeks. Australian humpbacks from the east and west coast will be met by harpoons from December, as Japan adds 50 of the species to its scientific whaling quota. This is the prefect opportunity for Australia to put pressure on Japan but Prime Minister, John Howard, recently said his Government would not change their tactics when Mr Abe visits. Therefore by the looks of it, many humpback whales will be killed this winter.
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