19 June 2006

Watch, Don't Slaughter

New Zealand First is closely following the proceedings of the meeting of the International Whaling Commission, and is concerned that the vote-buying tactics of pro-whaling nations may be enough to end the moratorium on whaling.

“I am very sceptical about the claims of countries such as Japan that their whaling is for scientific purposes, and I also question their claims that they carry out whale hunts humanely,” said Conservation spokesperson Doug Woolerton.

“The IWC is increasingly being seen as an arena for pro-whaling heavyweights to flex their muscles through conditional foreign aid to poor nations, in return for their votes. They in turn accuse anti-whaling nations such as New Zealand of doing the same.

“In the meantime, whales continue to be slaughtered, despite the spectacular growth of the whale watching industry. Over 87 countries, including New Zealand, run whale watching operations, generating billions of dollars each year.

“Perhaps if pro-whaling countries turned their attentions to this most humane way of profiting from whales, everyone could be winners, including the whales,” said Mr Woolerton.

ENDS

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