Protests and controversy surround the International Whaling Commission’s annual meeting as it kicks off in Chile this week. As 79 member states gather in Santiago, New Zealand’s Conservation Minister Steve Chadwick is expected to ask Japan to suspend its whaling practice.
The World Society for the Protection of Animals’ Programmes Manager, Bridget Vercoe said that strong opposition to commercial whaling was part of New Zealand’s national identity.
“New Zealand has long prided itself as a leader in animal welfare. Scenes of bleeding, thrashing whales being dragged on to whaling ships horrifies most New Zealanders.”
Recently, two Greenpeace activists have been arrested while attempting to uncover a corruption scandal involving the Japanese whaling industry.
Whales are usually killed with explosive harpoons that detonate inside their bodies.
The 60th International Whaling Commission meeting will run from 23-27 June.
