23 nations condemn Iceland's whaling plan
New Zealand has joined 23 countries in signing a formal statement presented to the Icelandic government today urging it
to reconsider its decision to commence scientific whaling. “We’re pleased to be part of the protest to the Icelandic
Government. The fact that 23 countries supported the statement demonstrates how important the issue is and the strength
of opposition worldwide to Iceland’s actions,” Foreign Minister Phil Goff and Conservation Minister Chris Carter said
today.
The statement describes Iceland’s proposal to hunt 38 minke whales in 2003 as being unjustified and unnecessary.
“Iceland’s action follows this year’s International Whaling Commission (IWC) resolution that scientific whaling
operations represent an act contrary to the spirit of the IWC moratorium on commercial whaling," the ministers said.
“The resolution urges countries to terminate, or not to begin, such activities and to conduct scientific research using
only non-lethal methods.
“We’re worried Iceland’s co-called “scientific” whaling programme is a precursor to the resumption of commercial whaling
and that they will follow Japan’s lead and sell the products of the hunt on the commercial market.
“The New Zealand Government strongly supports the current moratorium banning commercial whaling. We seek the absolute
protection of whales, other than for aboriginal subsistence whaling by indigenous communities whose requests meet the
IWC’s criteria.
“New Zealand and Iceland cooperate on many issues – climate change and global fish conservation in particular. It’s in
this context that New Zealand strongly urges Iceland to reconsider it decision to recommence scientific whaling,” the
ministers said.
The countries involved in the statement are: Britain, France, Germany, Sweden, the United States, Argentina, Australia,
Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Peru,
San Marino, Spain and Switzerland.