TOKYO - New Zealand's whale-watching industry could be affected if Japan is allowed to hunt humpback whales in the Antarctic Ocean, environmentalists have warned.
Japan is expected to ask an International Whaling Commission meeting in South Korea this month for permission to double its kill of about 440 minke whales a year for "scientific" purposes, and add 50 humpbacks and 50 fin whales to the list.
Environmentalists are sceptical of Japan's claims that its research would not affect total numbers of humpbacks and fin whales, both of which are endangered.
And Greenpeace claims Japan is targeting humpback whales to punish New Zealand and Australia for opposing its campaign to resume commercial whaling.
Conservation Minister Chris Carter is considering taking Tokyo to the World Court in the Hague to stop the slaughter.
Steve Shalhorn, executive director of Greenpeace Japan, said he was puzzled at Japan's plans, as humpbacks had little commercial value.
"Australia and New Zealand both have quite large whale-watching industries that rely on humpbacks. Japan could wipe out the whale-watching industry in those countries."
- Herald on Sunday
Japanese move could harm whale-watching
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
