Whaler’s incursions into the EEZ must stop

The Government must pressure Japan to stop its whalers entering New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone, says Labour’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson David Shearer.

“The report that the Japanese whaler Shonan Maru 2 followed the Sea Shepherd’s Steve Irwin into our EEZ is a worrying development in the confrontation that is going on in the ocean south of New Zealand.

“While I accept we have no legal right to exclude the Shonan Maru 2, Murray McCully must keep up the pressure on Tokyo. The fact that the Japanese government was aware, and appeared to sanction, the ship’s entry into New Zealand’s EEZ, when it knew of New Zealand’s continued opposition to whaling is deeply concerning.

“Murray McCully has made a good first step in asking the New Zealand embassy to make it very clear to the Japanese government that we do not want them whaling in the southern ocean.

“But he needs to ensure that the Japanese government is left in no doubt that New Zealanders see this move as deeply disrespectful. The Government must continue to hold Tokyo to account for this act.”

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