The Australian Greens Spokesperson for Whaling, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson provides the following comments about the Sea Shepherd vessel, the MV Steve Irwin, leaving Launceston after a month in dry dock here.

Senator Whish-Wilson said, “It was wonderful to see the people of Launceston open their arms in welcome to the Steve Irwin and her crew.

“Tasmanians feel a close connection to whales and our precious Antarctic environment, and having the Steve Irwin in dry dock here for a month only strengthens these bonds.

The Greens spokesperson for Fisheries and Whaling, Senator Whish-Wilson provides the following comments on how the Coalition Government deliberately dodged an opportunity to talk marine conservation with the United States’ Secretary of State, John Kerry.

Senator Whish-Wilson said, “I was delighted to finally hear a leader talk of the value of our oceans and the need to battle the scourge of marine plastics.

“It is telling that a global figure, like John Kerry, publicly advocates for the world to better manage our oceans yet our government is silent on the issue.

Scientists and surfers have visited Parliament House today to speak about non-lethal alternatives to WA Premier Colin Barnett's shark cull.

Professor Jessica Meeuwig from UWA, Professor Rob Harcourt from Macquarie University, Dr Charlie Huveneers from Flinders University and Brendon Donohoe, Chairman of Surfrider Foundation Australia gave a briefing for MPs and staff in Parliament House today, co-sponsored by Western Australian Senator Rachel Siewert and MP for Fremantle Melissa Parke.

Today Australian Greens Spokesperson for Whaling, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, welcomed the Steve Irwin to Launceston where the Sea Shepherd flagship will spend three weeks in dry-dock.

The Launceston based Senator made international news earlier this week briefly meeting Japanese Prime Minister Abe and passing on a letter from Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson personally urging Abe to reconsider Japan's plans to return to whaling in the Southern Ocean.

Senator Peter Whish-Wilson commented this morning on his brief meeting last night with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, where he was able to personally hand PM Abe a letter from Sea Shepherd founder Captain Paul Watson.

"Last night I attended the Parliament House Dinner for the Japanese Prime Minister, and was able to meet and talk with Shinzo Abe," said Australian Greens spokesperson on whaling, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson.

"I took the opportunity to respectfully hand him a letter from Sea Shepherd founder Captain Paul Watson and asked that he read the letter.

The Senate has today supported an Australian Greens motion noting the letter of concern from 305 scientists about the cruel WA shark cull and calling on the Federal Government to reject the proposal.

"My motion acknowledges the contribution of the 305 scientists and experts who signed a Letter of Expert Concern showing that there is no justification for Colin Barnett's government to continue this cull," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens marine spokesperson said today.

Today the Australian Greens are calling on Tony Abbott to make whaling a priority in his talks with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The conservative Prime Minister of New Zealand made his nation's concerns over Japanese whaling a top media story during yesterday's visit of the Japanese PM.

"Despite the recent victory in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) our whales in the Southern Ocean Sanctuary are not safe," said Greens spokesperson for Whaling and Fisheries, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson.

The Australian Greens today urged Minister for the Environment Greg Hunt to listen to the large group of Australian and international scientists and experts rejecting Colin Barnett's shark cull.

More than 300 leading scientists and experts have signed a Letter of Expert Concern, which has been sent to the WA EPA and Minister Hunt, as part of the assessment process for the proposed three year extension of WA's shark cull.

The United States has taken further lead on climate, science and conservation with President Barack Obama using his executive powers to declare additional marine protected areas and increasing research funds for monitoring ocean acidification as part of push to deal with the impacts of pollution, climate change, and overfishing in our oceans.