While the launch of an Antarctic whale research expedition today will contribute important scientific data, Minister Peter Garrett is kidding himself if he thinks it will do anything to influence Japanese whaling, according to The Australian Greens.

"Late last year the statements of the new Japanese government clearly indicated that they are pursuing what they consider is their national right to hunt whales for domestic consumption," Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

"They have practically admitted that the pretence of lethal scientific research is a polite fiction to allow them to pursue what is effectively commercial whaling within the limitations of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) framework."

"It is unclear who it is that the Minister is hoping to convince on the value of non-lethal whale research. Japan isn't seriously interested in the science and their support among developing nations in the IWC is framed around their need for development aid, not their concerns about the science," she said.

In launching the expedition in Wellington NZ today the Environment Minister admitted that:
"...the IWC has been gridlocked by entrenched divisions and ritualised arguments, while the actual number of whales killed has increased, including a doubling of the number of whales targeted in the Southern Ocean."

"The issue of so-called scientific whaling is clearly one of these ritualised arguments that isn't going to be won by more scientific data, however valuable and insightful.

"Yes, more science on whale populations is always welcome - but it isn't going to save the whales.

"If Peter Garrett is serious about stopping the slaughter in the Antarctic he would be better off launching an international legal case than a research expedition," Senator Siewert concluded.

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