Commercial whaling resumption will harm our Pacific neighbours
Prime Minister John Key's proposal to reintroduce commercial whaling threatens to undo years of good work in marine mammal conservation and sustainable development in the Pacific, Labour's Pacific Island Affairs spokesperson Luamanuvao Winnie Laban says.
"New Zealand has long supported marine mammal conservation efforts in the Pacific, with Government agency NZAid recognising the economic benefits it brings.
"In Tonga, where whaling was banned in 1978, a thriving whale watching industry has grown up and now forms a very large part of Tonga's tourism revenue.
“And just last month, NZAid's publication ‘Currents’ highlighted Tonga’s whale watching industry.
"So it is unfortunate so soon after this publication supporting marine mammal conservation and the benefit's it brings to our Pacific neighbours that the government proposes a return to commercial whaling.
“The resumption of commercial whaling threatens this sustainable industry of our Pacific neighbours," said Winnie Laban.
“The Labour Government strongly supported marine mammal conservation and the creation of a South Pacific Whale Sanctuary and fought at the International Whaling Commission to stop commercial whaling.”
