The Australian Greens today called on the Minister for the Environment Peter Garrett to explain why Japanese whalers were in Australian Antarctic waters and whether any whales were taken in Australian waters.

"Japanese whalers were found in Australian waters by the Sea Shepherd group, and were unable to kill any whales while they were being pursued ... but how many whales were taken before they were found?" asked Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on whaling.

The Government has a responsibility to act with urgency to stop Japanese whaling operations, said the Australian Greens today.

"Yesterday, the Senate passed my motion calling on the Government to set a timetable for the commencement of international legal action and also to send a vessel down to monitor the Japanese whaling activity," said Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert.

"Australians do not want another summer to go by with hundreds of whales slaughtered under the guise of Japanese ‘scientific research."

The Australian Greens today expressed deep concerns for the upcoming whaling season, after comments from Minister Garrett revealed that the Government has no plans to send a vessel into the Southern ocean this summer.

"I am deeply disappointed and amazed that the Government is not sending a boat down to monitor the Japanese whaling activity this season," said Senator Rachel Siewert.

"With reports that the Japanese fleet have already left port, it is only a matter of time before they start whaling."