Background on whaling disputes

The dispute between Australia and Japan over whaling activity in the Southern Ocean, has lasted for years, with both governments holding firm to their positions.

Japan hunts hundreds of mostly minke whales in Antarctic waters each year under its whaling research program. Whale meat not used for study is sold for consumption in Japan. Critics argue its scientific research mission is a cover for commercial whaling activity.

In 1994, Australia claimed an exclusive economic zone around the Australian Antarctic Territory. It also includes a portion of the IWC Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.

In December 2007, the Australian government announced plans to monitor Japanese whalers about to enter its waters, in order to gather evidence for a possible international legal challenge.

In 2008, Australia sent a vessel to follow Japan's whaling fleet. The ship collected video and photos which were to be used as evidence for legal actions.

In this photo taken Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010 released by the Institute of Cetacean Research of Japan, anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd's ship Steve Irwin, background, and the Japanese whaling ship Nisshin Maru use water cannons to each other in Antarctic Sea. The U.S.-based activist group, sends vessels to confront the Japanese fleet each year, trying to block them from firing harpoons at the whales. (AP Photo/Institute of Cetacean Research)

Last year, Australian Prime minister Kevin Rudd, restated official objections to Japan's whaling activities. He threatened to take legal action through international courts.

On Friday, Rudd said he would use diplomatic means to persuade Japan to end its hunt.

Australian Prime minister Kevin Rudd said, "If that fails then we will initiate that court action before the commencement of the whaling season in November 2010."

But despite the threat of legal action, Japan's foreign minister defended his country's whaling program.

Japanese foreign minister Katsuya Okada said, "We stand by our position that our research whaling mission is legal. I would like to discuss the issue with Prime Minister Rudd to help him better understand our position."

On Wednesday, an anti-whaling group's ship clashed with Japanese whalers in the Antarctic Ocean. It was the third and the most aggressive incident between the two sides this year.