LAST UPDATED: 15 May 2019
Australia has won an international legal battle to end the Japanese whale slaughter in these protected waters — restoring the Sanctuary as a place for these beautiful animals to exist without fear of death at the hands of hunters.

UPDATE: The international battle to protect whales continues...

In the landmark 2014 decision, the International Court of Justice ruled that Japan’s Antarctic whaling program was “unscientific” — and as such, immediately BANNED the further killing of whales in the Sanctuary!
With Japanese officials promising to respect the ruling, this historic decision by the United Nations' highest court will help protect minke, fin, humpback and other whales from suffering exhausting pursuit and cruel deaths by harpooning in the Southern Ocean.
The long battle to save the world’s gentle ocean giants has been fought by many, and now, all those who have ever taken action for whales can stand together in this incredible victory. On behalf of the whales, THANK YOU to Sea Shepherd and to all of the groups and individuals that have played a part in this historic win for animals!
This victory shows what can be achieved for animals when caring people work together! Click here to discover five simple things you can do that will not only help whales — but all precious marine life by protecting their ocean home.