Send frigates to whaling zone, say Greens

The Green Party wants the Government to send Navy frigates into the Southern Ocean in case there are clashes between Japanese whalers and protest ships.

The Greenpeace ship Esperanza is reported to be looking for the whalers and has said it expects to find them within days. A second protest ship, the Sea Shepherd, is on its way to the hunting area.

Green MP Metiria Turei said frigates were needed in case there were dangerous incidents. The National Party has urged the Government to send an Air Force Orion to monitor the whalers.