New Zealand joins 16 countries in diplomatic protest on whaling
18 January 2006
New Zealand has joined 16 other countries in urging Japan's government to stop
killing whales in the Southern Ocean in the name of scientific research.
Two Brazil-led demarches in Tokyo have also asked Japan to recall its whaling fleet from
the Southern Ocean.
Duty Minister Jim Anderton said New Zealand had joined with other countries to denounce the
Japanese Whale Research Programme (JARPA II) which is expected to take up to 935 minke whales
from the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary this season.
"The New Zealand government is strongly opposed to Japan's 'scientific' whaling programme.
There is no scientific justification to use lethal methods to provide information on whale
populations.
"Whales are iconic mammals which New Zealanders value highly. Of particular concern are
plans by Japan to expand its lethal research programme to include catching and killing
endangered humpback and fin whales," Mr Anderton said.
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