13 Sep 2014

NZ calls for support to restrict whaling

9:23 pm on 13 September 2014

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully is calling on countries around the world to support New Zealand's push to restrict whaling in the Southern Ocean.

Humpback whale breaching in New Zealand

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) has ruled Japan's whaling was a commercial enterprise. Photo: SUPPLIED

In March, the International Court of Justice declared Japan's whaling was a commercial enterprise, masquerading as scientific.

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) is due to meet next week for the first time since the court's decision.

The ABC reports that Japan is expected to release details about its plans to resume killing minke whales in the Antarctic Ocean next year, giving the hunt a more scientific focus.

Mr McCully said he was putting a resolution forward that would make it harder for Japan.

"Firstly, designed to ask the scientific committee of the IWC to pick up the work of the court and make sure that it's got a set of rules around it. Secondly, we're asking countries to desist from issuing themselves permits to go whaling until that body of work has been done."

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