The Federal Government must act immediately and order the Korean flagged vessel Sun Laurel out of Australian waters, the Australian Greens said this morning.

"This vessel is reported to be refueling the Japanese whaling fleet in Australian waters. This is an illegal operation, it contravenes the MARPOL Convention. The Government must act decisively to stop the operations of these vessels in our waters," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens marine spokesperson said today.

The Federal Government must tell the Japanese whaling fleet to immediately leave our waters, the Australian Greens said this morning.

"Australians will be outraged at news that a whale has been taken in Australian waters," said Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens marine spokesperson.

"Minister Burke must order these ships out of our waters and send a vessel to ensure this happens and monitor the rest of the whaling season.

Australian Greens Marine spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert says allowing oil and gas exploration off the coast of South Australia's Kangaroo Island would contradict other Government environmental programs and put endangered animals at risk.

Environment Minister Tony Burke is expected to announce his decision on a proposal to commence seismic testing at the Kangaroo Island Canyon and Pools this week. Bight Petroleum intends to undertake seismic tests in the coming months and start drilling in 2014.

Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on whaling has welcomed the release of a circular by the International Whaling Commission confirming that South Korea will not undertake scientific whaling, but says whales are under imminent threat from Japanese whalers and that the time has come for more meaningful action from the Federal Government.

"It is good to see that South Korea have realised that there is absolutely no need for scientific whaling," Senator Siewert said today.

The Australian Greens say the Japanese Government is taking increasingly desperate action to continue the brutal annual whale hunt in the Southern Ocean.

A court ruling in the US has seen an injunction granted that prevents Sea Shepherd going within 450 metres to the Japanese fleet. 

Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Whaling, Marine and Fisheries said today the Federal Government should instigate a plan which uses monitoring vessels and aerial surveillance of the Japanese fleet during the summer hunt.

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.