The Australian Greens have today launched a $205 million policy initiative to properly resource Australia's Antarctic and Marine Science.

"Antarctica is the world's last great wilderness area.  It is an incredible place for scientific exploration and provides an unparalleled source of information on our climate and health of our oceans. It is also a fantastic opportunity for Tasmania." said Senator Christine Milne, launching the initiative.

The Australian Greens propose to:

The Australian Greens today expressed disappointment at the failure of the CCAMLR talks to establish the largest marine reserve on the planet and urged the Australian Government  to continue their efforts in the talks in Germany next year.

"Just this week in a briefing to Parliamentarians CSIRO acknowledged the limited understanding of the biodiversity of marine ecosystems and that is on top of the threats proposed by climate change and more acidic oceans on the food chain" said Australian Greens leader Senator Christine Milne.

The Australian Greens have welcomed reports that the Japanese whale hunt in the Southern Ocean may not go ahead this summer.

"This is great news for the whales of in the Southern Ocean. I am encouraged by reports suggesting the upcoming hunt may be put off due to the age and disrepair of the Nisshin Maru factory ship,” Australian Greens whaling and marine spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

“This could be the beginning of the end of Japanese whaling, as changing domestic attitudes and financial pressures take their toll.

The Australian Greens have welcomed plans for peaceful protests to be held to mark Japan Dolphins Day 2012.

“Events have been organised in cities around the world to raise awareness of the annual dolphin cull in Taiji, Japan which starts on September 1,” Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens marine spokesperson said today.

“It is great to see a strong international campaign against this cull, which has been caught so graphically on film in the past.

“This cull is unnecessary, cruel and out-dated.

The Australian Greens said today it was encouraging to hear that South Korea is reconsidering its decision on so-called scientific whaling.

Greens spokesperson on whaling, Senator Rachel Siewert has urged the Federal Government to offer to share scientific research and understanding to South Korea.

"Reports are now suggesting that South Korea may consider alternatives to lethal whale research, which is a promising sign," Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

The Australian Greens have called on the Federal Government to engage fully with South Korea in an attempt to prevent them from undertaking so-called scientific whaling.

Senator Rachel Siewert, Greens spokesperson on Whaling said today that the possibility of more countries engaging in whaling practices was alarming.

“The lie that is scientific whaling cannot be allowed to shield further whaling operations,” Senator Siewert said today.

The greatest natural heritage property left on planet Earth is being denied its rightful place on the list of World Heritage properties, Australian Greens Senator for Tasmania Bob Brown said today.

In Melbourne to launch polar adventurer David Neilson's book Southern Light: Images from Antarctica, the former Greens Leader called on the Antarctic Treaty 50 member nations meeting in Hobart to give priority to according Antarctic World Heritage status.

The Australian Greens have congratulated Sea Shepherd for helping end this year's whaling season but condemned the Australian Government for their lack of action.

 "Firstly, congratulations to Paul Watson and the Sea Shepherd crews who have single-handedly  saved an estimated 600 or more whales while the Australian and New Zealand Governments did nothing," Greens Leader Bob Brown said today

 "267 whales dead is 267 too many and they would not have been killed if Australia's Minister for the Environment Tony Burke had taken an injunction in the world court and succeeded.

Australian Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown has welcomed news of putative Foreign Minister Bob Carr’s intention to visit New Zealand.

Senator Brown called on Mr Carr to advance on recent talks Senator Brown held with former Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd to seek the Key Government’s backing for a World Heritage nomination for Antarctica.

“I expect Mr Carr might also use his environmental credentials to promote the kiwi plan for a 3.6m square kilometre marine national park off Australia’s Ross Sea ice shelf, “ Senator Brown said

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown has called for the Gillard government to seek an injunction in the United States to stop the Japanese whaling slaughter currently underway in Antarctic waters.

A Seattle district court has thrown out an application by Japan for a preliminary injunction to stop Sea Shepherd's anti-whaling campaign. If the case goes to trial the court will hear evidence on the legality or otherwise of whaling.