Whaling meeting inconclusive - Carter

New Zealand and Australia have failed to immediately persuade Japan to drop plans to hunt 50 humpback whales as part of its scientific whaling programme.

Japan's whaling commissioner met today Conservation Minister Chris Carter and Australian Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Mr Carter today said through a spokesman the meeting was inconclusive, but the parties had agreed to meet again before the end of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting tomorrow.

New Zealand and Australia have been pressuring Japan to drop its plans to extend its programme to humpbacks, but have refused a compromise deal which would allow whaling around Japan's coastline.

- NZPA