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New Zealand to monitor whaling
last update: Dec 01, 2008 10:01 AM
This season, the Japanese whaling fleed will operate mainly in waters in which New Zealand has search and rescue obligations under international law. New Zealand will monitor them.
The monitoring will be done by the Zealand Air Force with regular Orion surveillance flights.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully and Defence Minister Wayne Mapp issued a joint statement, urging parties to show restraint after clashes last season.
Mr McCully addressed Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone at the recent Apec summit in Peru and told him that New Zealand was "firmly opposed" to the Japanese whaling programme.
He said "We are actively engaged in a diplomatic process including through the International Whaling Commission to try to find a resolution to the problem."
He also added "We're urging all parties to refrain from any actions that may put their lives, or the lives of others at risk." If there are maritime incidents in the Ross Sea area it could take a while to get help as searching in the isolated and treacherous Southern Ocean isdifficult and rescue capabilities limited.
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