Saturday 16 January 2010

Alliance Condemns "Wishy Washy" Whaling Approach

The Alliance has condemned the Government's wishy washy approach to Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean.

Alliance Party fisheries spokesperson Trevor Hanson says Sea Shepherd and likeminded organisations are doing what 90% of New Zealanders want, using whatever means at their disposal to stop the killing of whales in the Southern Ocean.

He says the recent incident where a New Zealand registered vessel the Ady Gil was rammed and sunk is part of this process.

"No matter what the National Government claims say and no matter how many protests at international whaling forums nothing has changed. The Japanese Government arrogantly continues on its path claiming the right to 'scientific' whale kills."

Mr Hanson says protestors who have put life and limb at risk to stop the obnoxious practise of killing whales are doing the only thing possible to bring this practise to an end.

He says while John Key has announced the possibility of an "international agreement" the only agreement New Zealanders want is a complete stop by the Japanese whalers.

"Any half measure agreement to which the New Zealand Government signs up to would be seen for what it is, authorizing further continuation of the current slaughter, contrary to the wishes of New Zealanders."

Mr Hanson says statements by the Minister of Fisheries about the incident in which the New Zealand registered Ady Gil was damaged and later sunk, where he said an investigation by Maritime New Zealand and TAIC would be carried out, were diversions.

"We are well aware of the length of time these investigations by Maritime New Zealand and the TAIC will take. Meanwhile whale killing continues."

Mr Hanson says all whaling in the Southern Ocean should cease.

ENDS

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