apanese whalers have attacked the Australian government over its support for harvesting dugongs by indigenous hunters, further intensifying the spat between the two countries over whaling.
In a submission to the International Whaling Commission for its meeting in Chile in June, the Japanese will highlight the killing of dugongs by Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders.
The New Zealand-based spokesman for Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research, Glenn Inwood, said Australia was being hypocritical by supporting the harvesting of dugongs by indigenous hunters, while rejecting all "lethal use" of whales, The Australian reports on Wednesday.
"Japan subscribes to the international principle of sustainable utilisation," the spokesman said.
"The Australian government rejects all lethal uses of whales and yet supports sustainable utilisation of its own national hunting of the Dugongs.
Islander leaders agreed that too many dugongs were being taken for traditional food, The Australian said.
Environment Minister Peter Garrett said there was no analogy between Japanese whaling and the killing of dugongs.
The government was actively engaged in programs to protect dugongs, he said.
