Greens call for legal bid to halt whaling

The Green Party is calling for the Government to use international law to stop Japan whaling in the Southern Ocean.

Green conservation spokeswoman Metiria Turei said the Government could pursue a number of legal avenues and its plan to write a letter to Japan would have little effect.

Mrs Turei said Japan was a signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, under which it was required to avoid discord in Antarctica.

"Clearly there is considerable discord at present with the Japanese fleet slaughtering these magnificent animals despite the protests of numerous countries, groups and individuals."

This week the conflict between the protest boats and the whalers has intensified, with at least two incidents of ramming.

The Greenpeace vessel Arctic Sunrise and Japanese ship Nisshin Maru have both blamed each other for an incident on Sunday that left Arctic Sunrise with a large dent in its hull.

Japan has threatened to send armed aircraft to protect its whaling fleet.

And extreme conservation group Sea Shepherd has threatened to ram and disable the whaling fleet.

Mrs Turei said there was an obligation under the Antarctic Treaty to stop offending activity and to enter discussion, but this would not happen unless New Zealand demanded it.

"This treaty also enables signatory countries to place observers on research vessels. The Government must exercise its right to do this and have people aboard each of the whaling ships to see just how much, and what, scientific research is done."

Conservation Minister Chris Carter says the Government is working with other anti-whaling countries to send a letter to Japan outlining their concerns about whaling.