Green Party condemns Korea's whaling intentions

The Green Party supports the Government's condemnation of Korea's intentions to begin whaling, said Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei today.

"We are disappointed that the International Whaling Commission hasn't been able to close the loophole in its 1986 moratorium on commercial whaling which allows countries to kill whales for supposed "scientific" purposes, and are outraged that Korea has expressed intentions to exploit it," said Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei.

Mrs Turei was responding to news that the Korean delegate to the IWC meeting in Panama expressed intentions to begin whaling. The delegate reportedly said the planned hunt was a response to calls by commercial fishers who are concerned that whales are depleting fish stocks. In other reports they have claimed cultural practice.

"It is clear that Korea will use any excuse to hunt whale," said Mrs Turei.

"The slaughter of whales is unacceptable and our Government should do everything it can to help end this abhorrent practice."