Trans-Tasman effort to save whales

Stranded whales in Australia and New Zealand may now have a better chance of survival, after discussions between the two countries.

Caretaker Conservation Minister Chris Carter said Australia and New Zealand had agreed to work together to improve whale stranding management.

"There are important techniques and areas of knowledge we can learn from each other," he said yesterday.

"Australia and New Zealand work side by side on the world stage to protect and conserve whales. This agreement is a logical extension of that relationship."

Mr Carter said a key part of the agreement would be to exchange information about strandings to improve understanding about their causes.

- NZPA