Terri Irwin To Launch Anti-Whaling Programme

Next year, widow of TV host, Steve Irwin, will launch a scientific campaign in order to show the Japanese how data about the whales can be collected without lethal action.

Terri Irwin said that in 2008 she will launch a project in the memory of her husband that will include whale watching, the Press Association informs.

She said that the programme is in association with the Oregon State University and will be performed in the southern hemisphere.

"We can actually learn everything the Japanese are learning with lethal research by using non-lethal research,” Mrs. Irwin said.

Japan has defended its whaling fleet saying that the reason for wanting to kill 1,000 whales is to find out more information about their eating, breeding and migratory habits.

Last week the country abandoned plans to kill humpback whales after environmentalists and anti-whaling nations pressured Tokyo.

The Japanese whaling fleet is supported by an institute backed by government and is acting under a clause of the International whaling commission rules which allows for whales to be killed in purpose of science.

Mrs. Irwin said: “We are determined to show the Japanese they can stop all whaling, not just humpbacks. That's what I'm embarking on in 2008.”

Bindi, Irwin’s daughter, will record an anti-whaling song, “Save Me” which will be advertised in Asia, AFP reports.

Terri Irwin added: "Whales are such an integral part to the ocean and hunting is such a cruel and awful thing. It needs to be something that is in our ancient past, not something that we continue to do."