Whale envoy appointment welcomed

Today’s appointment of Sandy Hollway as the Australian whale envoy has been strongly welcomed by IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare).

“Mr Hollway’s appointment demonstrates the Rudd Government is not ignoring the mandate it received from the Australian people, but is living up to the promises it made during the last election. “Mr Hollway is a well respected and highly successful top level negotiator, who will need to draw heavily on his extensive diplomatic skills in this new role,” IFAW Programs Manager, Darren Kindleysides, said.

Time is running out for the whales. In November the Government of Japan’s whaling fleet will depart for the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary where the whalers will once again kill whales in commercial quantities under the guise of ‘scientific research’.

“Mr Hollway’s first task should be to stop the Japanese whaling fleet leaving port for the Southern Ocean in November,” Mr Kindleysides said “The whaling conflict escalates every year, with deadly consequences for whales. Japan must be persuaded to call off their highly controversial, unlawful, unnecessary and inhumane whaling expedition once and for all. We believe the Government have found the right man for the job,” Mr Kindleysides said.

Earlier this year 551 whales lost their lives in the name of science—killed by Japan’s whalers in a designated whale sanctuary in the Southern Ocean.

If allowed to continue its complete disregard for international treaties and laws, the Government of Japan intends to kill almost 1000 whales this year, including endangered species, in the name of ‘scientific research’.

For media-related inquiries, contact:
Kerry Glenn IFAW Communications, +61 (0) 437 414 329 or kglenn@ifaw.org