28 February 2012

No whalers in our waters

The Government should do more than just warn off Japanese whalers reported to be in New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone, the Green Party said today.

"It is offensive that Japanese whalers are in New Zealand waters, and the Government should use all its powers to make them leave," said Green Party Oceans spokesperson Gareth Hughes.

Mr Hughes was responding to reports that Japanese whaling boats have entered New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone near the Auckland Islands. A spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully has been quoted in Australian media as saying whaling vessels are not welcome in New Zealand territorial waters.

"The Government should seek urgent legal advice to determine if the Marine Mammal Act gives the Government grounds to expel Japanese whalers from New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone.

"If our current laws allow Japanese whaling boats legal access to our Exclusive Economic Zone and territorial sea, then we should change the laws.

"Chile has passed legislation that bans the transport of whale meat through their waters, and we can do the same.

"We need to send every message to Japan that killing whales is unacceptable," said Mr Hughes.

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