Aussies Monitoring Japanese "Scientific" Mission

Nevermind the A380... here's a true Airbus "whalejet." Australia has deployed an impressive new tool in its opposition against Japanese whaling operations in the Antarctic -- an A319 narrowbody, outfitted with advanced surveillance and imaging equipment.

The plane -- deployed along with the Customs patrol cruiser 'Oceanic Viking' -- reportedly conducted a six-hour mission Sunday, keeping an eye on what is an ostensibly scientific Japanese whaling program now underway, reports The Sydney Morning Herald.

The surveillance is an effort by the government of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, to help build an international legal case against what many believe are illegal whale-hunting operations. The aircraft performed well -- identifying two foreign fishing vessels, according to a spokeswoman for Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus. Poor weather conditions prevented the Airbus from reaching its primary search area.

The plane is just the latest vehicle to join what has escalated into an all-out, Cold War-esque spy game in the chilly seas of the Antarctic. The conservation group Sea Shepherd -- also holding station in the area, to monitor suspected whaling operations -- reports one of its vessels, the 'Steve Irwin,' was shadowed last week by a Japanese fishing trawler.

"The Fukuyoshi Maru No. 68 is a large drag trawler," said Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson. "It's a fast ship and can easily stay out of reach of the 'Steve Irwin'. The Sea Shepherd helicopter has flown over and it is not equipped with any fishing gear. There is evidence of electronic surveillance gear."

A Greenpeace International ship, the 'Esperanza,' is also shadowing the Japanese whaling ship 'Nisshin Maru' -- and, in turn, is being followed by the catcher ship 'Yushin Maru No. 2,' according to Greenpeace whales campaign coordinator Sara Holden. With all the spying going on, it's doubtful anyone has any time to conduct any other operations, scientific or otherwise... and that's the intent, Holden says.

"So long as they are not whaling, that's the point," she said. "The fact we are in day 10 without any whales being taken is fantastic. We suspect that the orders from Tokyo are for nobody to see them whaling. This is a delicate time for them politically."

If needed, the Aussie A319 is ready to fly other missions, according to the Home Affairs spokeswoman.

FMI: www.australia.gov.au, www.seashepherd.org, www.greenpeace.org