and that will be effected over the next few days," he said. "We will appoint a diplomatic envoy to seek to persuade the Japanese Government of the correctness and the rightness of our cause. We will up our activity in the International Whaling Commission, to seek to use our voice in the International Whaling Commission to bring an end to the so-called scientific whaling."

Mr. Smith said the Government is also considering pursuing international legal action. Smith said the Attorney-General has commissioned Commonwealth Government and independent legal advice to see what options Australia can take against the whaling. He said the Government may take action before the International Court of Justice and the Tribunal for Law of the Sea, using the Whaling Convention and the Endangered Species Convention. Hesaid the Government expects to receive its legal advice early next year. The Opposition had previously warned the Government not to send the Navy.

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is deeply disappointed by this announcement from the Australian government. Sea Shepherd does not understand how Australia can enforce fishing regulations against Toothfish poachers from Uruguay yet cannot intervene against the slaughter of the whales in these same water, waters that are clearly marked on the nautical charts as part of the Australian Economic Exclusion Zone.

"This new approach clearly has the approval of the government, particularly the Japanese government with whom Australia most likely consulted for the proper and acceptable wording," said Captain Watson. "Our response to Australia's announcement of their 'plan' to protect the whales is to drop the