National Whale Day

National Whale Day will be held on Saturday, June 14, around Australia with a celebration of parties, exhibitions, competitions and ceremonies.

This year is the 30th anniversary of Australians harpooning their last whale, a female sperm whale taken in the Southern Ocean off Western Australia on November 20, 1978.

The national launch will be held in Sydney featuring singer Christine Anu, Australian Environment Minister Peter Garrett and young anti-whaling campaigner, Skye Bortoli.

In Albany, Western Australia, the site of Australia's last whaling station, Middleton Beach will have a symbolic wreath laying ceremony, a boat flotilla, face painting, a giant sand whale formation, sculptures, information stands and music. A song about whales will be launched by a young local girl.

IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare), the organiser of National Whale Day, says:

"Australia is world renowned for its incredible coastline and for the abundance and diversity of marine wildlife. Given Australia's affinity with the ocean and fondness of the iconic whales and dolphins that live or migrate along the coast it's hard to believe it was once a whaling nation.

"However, since the last Australian whaling station was closed in 1978, Australia has become a world leader in whale conservation. National Whale Day recognises not only our love of whales but our ongoing fight to protect them.

"But National Whale Day isn't just about whales - it's about the marine environment and to remind us that we can all do our bit to keep the ocean clean and protect the creatures that live there."

National Whale Day coincides with meetings of the scientific committee of the International Whaling Commission, a multi lateral body. These meetings lead to the 60th commission meeting June 23-27 at Santiago, Chile.

Australia is opposed to Japan's continuing whaling program in the Antarctic. Last year Japan caught 551 Minke whales. Legal action is being considered to stop Japan whaling within the Southern Whale Sanctuary.