Pro-whaling video won't hurt Japan, Aust relations: Smith
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The Oceanic Viking is due to depart this week to monitor the Japanese whale kill. (ABC: James Bennett)
Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith says an anti-whaling video, posted on the internet, will not strain Australia's relationship with Japan.
The video, posted on the website YouTube, accuses Australians of wanting to stop whaling while at the same time killing vulnerable native animals.
He says the video is tasteless but it is unlikely to have an impact on relations between the two countries.
"But it is not something that will see the Australian Government resile from its commitment to seek to have the Japanese cease whaling in the Southern Ocean," he said.
Mr Smith also says the ship which will monitor a Japanese whaling fleet is due to depart this week.
The Federal Government announced in December the Oceanic Viking would be sent to monitor the Japanese whale kill in the Southern Ocean this summer.
Customs officers will be on board the ship to monitor whaling practices for the purposes of any possible future legal action by the Australian Government.
But last week the ship was spotted in Western Australia.
Mr Smith says he is not concerned the delayed departure of the vessel will have an impact on surveillance operations.
"We know that the Japanese whaling season commences December and lasts through to February, sometimes early march," he said.
"So in the course of the period of departure to the end of the whaling season we are hopeful that we will get 20 days of productive surveillance."
