As I'm sure everyone is now well aware, the New Zealand government has proposed to support commercail whaling as a strategy towards reducing the number of whales killed over the next 10 years.
The proposal, presented to the IWC at an informal meeting in the US over the weekend, would allow Japan, Norway and Iceland to openly hunt whales despite a 1986 moratorium on commercial whaling.
It is being touted as a comprise solution, as current loopholes in the legislation allow for Scientific whaling.
However, what this effectively means is that where once as a nation we have proudly opposed commercial whaling, favouring whale conservation and ecotourism operations instead, we will now be seen as endorsing commercial whaling.
Across the Tasman, the Australians are standing firm to their anti-whaling position. Instead they are seeking
absolute protection, and are exploring legal challenges.
Forest & Bird has today launched a petition to send a strong message to Prime Minister John Key.
Please help give our whales a voice by signing the petition and encouraging others to do so too:
http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/saving-our-environment/marine-and-coastal/save-whales-not-whaling
