New Zealand has asked the International Whaling Commission to respect the wishes of South Pacific countries and to support the establishment of a South Pacific Whale Sanctuary.
Speaking at the annual meeting of the IWC in London today, Minister of Conservation Sandra Lee said she had come to the meeting to seek international recognition of the cultural aspirations of South Pacific countries for the protection of whales.
"Polynesian peoples have had a long cultural connection with whales," Ms Lee said.
"The IWC respects the customary rights of certain indigenous peoples in other parts of the world to take whales to meet their traditional and nutritional needs. New Zealand has always supported that proposition, but also seeks equal recognition for the rights of the peoples of the South Pacific to protect whales as part of the living heritage that we pass on to our children.
"In the South Pacific, we do not kill our whales, and we ask other countries to respect our wishes."
Ms Lee said this cultural tradition had not received adequate recognition by IWC members.
The whale sanctuary proposal was defeated at the IWC meeting in Adelaide last year. A three-quarters majority vote of IWC member nations is required for its adoption.
NZ asks IWC to respect right to protect whales
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