In November 2008 Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett announced funding of $6.15 million to “kick-start” a range of whale research and conservation initiatives. The largest portion, some $4 million, would be spent on research programs and scientific partnerships with other countries.
In December, Garrett increased the funding package by $26 million over the next five years.
A major focus of the research funding is the development of the Southern Ocean Research Partnership (SORP), announced at the 2008 IWC meeting. Whale research conducted by the SORP will be non-lethal and participation is open to all IWC member nations.
In announcing the funding, Garrett reiterated Australia’s position on “scientific whaling”. "Australia does not believe that we need to kill whales to understand them”, he said. “Modern day research uses genetic and molecular techniques, as well as satellite tags, acoustic methods and aerial surveys, rather than grenade-tipped harpoons."
For more than two decades Japan has claimed that the reason for killing hundreds of whales annually in the Southern Ocean has been scientific research. Given the scope and multidisciplinary scientific focus of the SORP, Japan should find it difficult not to support it and become involved.
Another priority is to take a leadership position in bringing about change within the International Whaling Commission (IWC). Australia and like-minded members of the IWC have already ensured that conservation issues are included on the agenda of annual meetings. The additional funding will support Australia’s drive for policy reform as the Commission considers its future.
Garrett stated that the funding will directly benefit whale conservation in Australian waters through additional support to the Australian science community for strategic conservation needs, such as centralising marine mammal sighting data and the coordinated assessment of rescue efforts for stranded whales.
Funding will also be available for research grants, post-doctoral research positions, and to support whale research in Pacific Island countries.
