NZ to fight Japanese whale slaughter

New Zealand is looking at all its options, including a possible legal fight, to thwart Japan's attempt to slaughter endangered humpback whales.

Japan plans to go to the meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in Korea next month asking to double its kill of about 440 minke whales a year for so-called scientific purposes and also add humpback and fin whales to the list.

Conservation Minister Chris Carter said yesterday he understood the Japanese wanted to add 80 humpbacks and 80 fin whales to its kill.

The minister, who will attend the IWC meeting, said New Zealand was fighting the proposal on several counts.

Taking a case to the World Court was one option it was exploring.

In Australia, the federal Government has stopped short of supporting moves by environment groups to try to prevent Japanese whaling ships from entering the Australian whale sanctuary in Antarctic waters.

Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said Australia would instead pursue the matter through diplomacy in the IWC.

- NZPA