18 January 2006

Maori Fisheries Money Does Not Fund Japanese Whaling

The Maori Fisheries Trust, Te Ohu Kaimoana, said today Maori fisheries money is not used to fund Japan’s whaling programme.

“Income derived from Maori fisheries assets does not go towards any aspect of Japan’s research programme in the Antarctic, period,” CEO Peter Douglas said.

“However distasteful the Green Party might find Japan’s whaling in the Antarctic, it is entirely legal in international law.”

“As far as Te Ohu Kaimoana is concerned, differences over whaling are to be resolved diplomatically between the New Zealand and the Japanese governments.”

With regard to Te Ohu Kaimoana’s shareholding in Aotearoa Fisheries Limited, which in turn owns 50 percent of Sealord with Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Limited, Mr Douglas said the Green Party made its objections known at the time Brierley’s sold its shareholding in Sealord in December 2000.

Te Ohu Kaimoana has no further comment to make.

ENDS