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Labour MP Nanaia Mahuta has slammed Japan’s plans to pursue its annual whale hunt.
She says some of the humpback whales at risk of being killed with grenade-tipped harpoons this summer are the same whales that form the basis for the Ngai Tahu whale watching operation at Kaikoura.
New Zealand marine experts says the whales are now migrating into the Great Southern Ocean off Antarctica to feed.
Ms Mahuta says since 1986 14,000 whales have been killed in the southern ocean as part of the so called scientific whaling programme.
She says all whale watch ventures are put at risk by such dubious science.
Last year Whale Watch Kaikoura made almost $16 million.
She says this year’s hunt will break Australia’s ban on the slaughter of whales in their Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.
Ms Mahuta’s stance is in contrast to Te Ohu Kaimoana, the Maori fisheries settlement trust, which has in the past attended International Whaling Commission meetings and spoken out in support of indigenous whaling.
Meanwhile, Australia’s new Government has reneged on a promise to send at least one customs vessel to observe the Japanese whaling fleet.
Environment minister Greg Hunt says it will instead send planes to observe the activity.
Protest group Sea Shepherd is sending three ships to obstruct the hunt.
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd
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