THE Australian Greens have flagged legislation that aims to prohibit whaling in Australia's Antarctic waters.

The minor party also wants the government to seek an injunction in the International Court of Justice against this year's whaling hunt.



The move came after two Sea Shepherd vessels were involved in a confrontation with the Japanese whaling fleet at the weekend, with protesters being hosed with high-pressure water cannon as they harassed the whalers.



Greens leader Bob Brown reiterated his party's call for naval or aerial surveillance of the whaling slaughter, with filmed evidence released to the world's media to shame the Japanese fleet.



"Surveillance by Australia could also prevent human lives being lost during the whale-killing season," he said.



The opposition is adopting a similar line, urging the government to adopt an independent monitoring role of the annual whale hunt in the Southern Ocean.



Opposition environment spokesman Greg Hunt says the risk of tragedy has been "foreseen and forewarned".



"It is incumbent upon the government to take practical steps to ensure that there is an independent monitoring and an independent search-and-rescue capability," he told ABC Radio today.



Mr Hunt said he had written to Environment Minister Tony Burke urging the government to take on a watchdog role.



The Greens want the coalition and independents to support legislation that would make Japanese whaling more difficult.



"We will look at legal options for other legislation, such as prohibiting whaling in Australian Antarctic waters altogether," Senator Brown said.

Originally published as Greens want Antarctic whaling ban