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Save the Whales!
New Zealand should send frigates, if necessary, to dissuade Japan from slaughtering humpback whales, the Green Party says.
Talks between New Zealand, Australia and Japan this morning, at the International Whaling Commission meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, aimed at stopping the planned killing of 50 humpback whales failed to reach any agreement.
“We have tried talking with Japan for several years now, but this has done nothing to stop the whale slaughter,” Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons says.
“If anything, while we have continued to talk, Japan has increased the numbers of whales it kills in the name of science and this year plans to include 50 endangered humpback whales in the cull.
“These whales belong to the South Pacific and as such it is our responsibility to protect them. They travel from Antarctic waters along the coasts of New Zealand and Australia to the Pacific Islands, helping to create a multi-million whale watching industry along that route.
According to Whale Watch Kaikoura Chairman, Wally Stone, over 100,000 international visitors booked a whale watch experience in New Zealand in the past 12 months. This brought more than $25 million both directly and indirectly into New Zealand’s economy.
“Those tourists who come to see our whales, hail from all over the world, including Japan. They bring money into our economy, money which has helped to bolster small towns like Kaikoura,” Ms Fitzsimons says.
“If Japan continues with its plans to slaughter humpback whales, the Green Party will urge the New Zealand Government to deploy its frigates to protect these defenceless, endangered animals from a painful and needless death and to protect our economy from being speared by Japanese harpoons.”
Talks between New Zealand, Australia and Japan this morning, at the International Whaling Commission meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, aimed at stopping the planned killing of 50 humpback whales failed to reach any agreement.
“We have tried talking with Japan for several years now, but this has done nothing to stop the whale slaughter,” Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons says.
“If anything, while we have continued to talk, Japan has increased the numbers of whales it kills in the name of science and this year plans to include 50 endangered humpback whales in the cull.
“These whales belong to the South Pacific and as such it is our responsibility to protect them. They travel from Antarctic waters along the coasts of New Zealand and Australia to the Pacific Islands, helping to create a multi-million whale watching industry along that route.
According to Whale Watch Kaikoura Chairman, Wally Stone, over 100,000 international visitors booked a whale watch experience in New Zealand in the past 12 months. This brought more than $25 million both directly and indirectly into New Zealand’s economy.
“Those tourists who come to see our whales, hail from all over the world, including Japan. They bring money into our economy, money which has helped to bolster small towns like Kaikoura,” Ms Fitzsimons says.
“If Japan continues with its plans to slaughter humpback whales, the Green Party will urge the New Zealand Government to deploy its frigates to protect these defenceless, endangered animals from a painful and needless death and to protect our economy from being speared by Japanese harpoons.”
the Green Party.
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