Victory for Whales!

31/03/2014

Great news from Australia today! After a long four year court case, Australia achieved victory in its fight to ban Japan’s controversial whaling program, Jarpa II. Jarpa II allowed the killing of whales for the purpose of scientific research.

Today, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the whaling program did not meet grounds for scientific research and banned Japan from killing any more whales under the program. One whale hunted is one too many and neither commercial nor scientific whaling have any place in the 21st century. 



World Animal Protection Head of Wildlife Campaigns, Claire Bass, said, “Today’s decision wasn’t about science or geography or politics. It wasn’t about Australia versus Japan. It was about the unacceptable exploitation of animals." 



This decision sends a clear message to governments around the world that the exploitation of animals will no longer be tolerated and animals must be protected at the highest level. 



All eyes are now on Japan to respect this decision. We congratulate the Australian government on this landmark victory for animals.