Government calls on Japan to cease as whaling resumes in Southern Ocean

Todd McClay said New Zealand was deeply disappointed with Japan's decision. Photo / Ingrid Visser

The New Zealand Government has hit out at Japan's decision to resume Southern Ocean whaling.

Acting foreign minister Todd McClay said today New Zealand was deeply disappointed with the move.

"New Zealand is strongly opposed to whaling in the Southern Ocean. We call on Japan to take heed of the 2014 International Court of Justice decision and international scientific advice concerning their whaling activities," Mr McClay said.

"In early 2015, the International Whaling Commission's expert panel issued very clear and unambiguous recommendations that Japan postpone the lethal components of its research proposal. The expert panel requested Japan undertake further work on whether lethal methods are necessary to achieve its research objectives."

Mr McClay said the panel's "clear message", echoed by commission scientists, was that Japan had failed to make a case for its "lethal research".

"New Zealand's long-standing and fundamental opposition to this practice remains unchanged. It is clear that Japan's research objectives can be met using non-lethal means," he said.

"In 2014, the International Court of Justice found Japan's previous Southern Ocean whaling programme to be unlawful, as it was not for purposes of scientific research.

"We call on Japan to heed the expert panel's advice and postpone any whaling this season. Our strong view is that Japan should at least afford the International Whaling Commission the opportunity to consider the proposal in 2016.

"We continue to actively pursue an end to Southern Ocean whaling, and are considering all options."