Sea Shepherd—which sends ships to the Southern Ocean to monitor and often harass Japanese whaling vessels—was not mentioned by name. But the militant environmental group was clearly a target of the warning.
“We respect the right to freedom of expression, including through peaceful protests on the high seas, when protests are conducted lawfully and without violence,” the statement said. “However, we unreservedly condemn dangerous, reckless or unlawful behavior by all participants on all sides.”
“We are prepared to respond to unlawful activity in accordance with relevant international and domestic laws,” they added.
Jeff Hansen, managing director of Sea Shepherd Australia, took issue with the joint statement.
“In Sea Shepherd's 10 Antarctic whale defense campaigns we have never caused a serious injury on either side, yet we have directly saved the lives of over 5,000 whales,” Hansen said in an email.
Hansen added that the Australian government failed to deliver on a 2013 campaign promise to dispatch a customs vessel to the Southern Ocean to “provide a clear signal that the Australian people don't support whaling.”
“The Australian and New Zealand Governments should be commended for taking Japan to the International Court of Justice,” he said. “However, what is the point of the ruling if no one is going to enforce it?”