國際人道協會於15日在澳洲聯邦法院贏得歷史性的勝利，此一環保團體表示此項決議可保護上百頭鯨魚免遭日本漁船的捕獵。澳洲聯邦法院宣判，一日籍捕鯨業者在澳洲捕鯨禁區捕殺鯨魚之舉動，已違反了澳洲的法律，並已要求其停止捕獵行動。
日籍捕鯨業者首度因而進入法律程序，此項裁決也確認了其捕獵行動為違法的行為。日本政府表示其正在進行國際捕鯨中止條款所允許的鯨魚研究，然而針對日本的輿論顯示，國內並未進行相關的研究。
澳洲法院聲明，日籍捕鯨者自2000年以來，已在南極海以外捕殺了3558頭小鬚鯨與13頭長鬚鯨。
法官艾爾索普(James Alsop)裁定，此一訴訟進行期間未曾出庭的日籍捕鯨業者，已違反了1999年環境保護及生物多樣性保存法之相關規定。
The Humane Society International today won a historic decision from the Australian Federal Court which the environmental group says could save hundreds of whales from Japanese harpoons. The court ruled that a Japanese whaling company is in breach of Australian law when it kills whales in the Australian Whale Sanctuary and has ordered that the hunt be stopped.
This is the first time the Japanese whalers have been taken to court and the ruling confirms that the hunt is illegal. The Japanese government says it is conducting research whaling, which is allowed under an international whaling moratorium, but critics of Japan say no research is involved.
The court states that since 2000 the Japanese whalers have killed 3,558 minke whales and 13 fin whales in the waters off Antarctica.
Justice James Alsop ruled that the Japanese company, which did not appear in court at any time during the proceedings, has violated the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, or the EPBC Act.
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In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
