Govt's whaling decision welcomed; now send in the Navy

The Green Party today welcomed the announcement the New Zealand Government will be joining Australia as a third party intervener in their whaling case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

“The Government has made a tactical decision to support Australia’s case to the ICJ by allowing them to have an additional friendly judge hearing the case,” said Oceans spokesperson for the Green Party, Gareth Hughes.

“Our limited involvement will allow us to have input into the case that Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean is contrary to its obligations under the international convention on whaling.

“It’s clear Japan is undertaking commercial, not scientific whaling in the Southern Ocean. In the absence of a diplomatic solution, the best chance for the protection of whales lies in applying existing international law.

“In the short term, we need to send a strong message to Japan on our moral opposition to whaling and ensure we have a Navy patrol boat in the Southern Ocean this summer to observe the whale slaughter.

“The New Zealand Navy can act as independent observers of the whale hunt—ensuring the safety of the protest vessels, that the rule of law is observed, and documenting the slaughter.

“We stood up to the USA when it came to nukes; we can stand up to Japan when it comes to killing whales,” said Mr Hughes.