Like shooting fish in a barrel
Some clarification needs airing in the public debate around the hunting of whales near New Zealand by the Japanese.
The government has been harpooned by many critics who insist these whaling operations are harmful to our economic interests, to our position on the world stage, and for simple inaction over allegations the whaling ships are in our territorial waters.
No matter which way Mr. McCully and Mr. Key turn, they are faced with a barrage – and yet their actions have been reasoned and meaningful in the face of unrealistic expectations. Earlier this week, McCully issued a treatise against Japanese efforts to rort protection laws, and in doing so accurately summed up the mood of Kiwis towards the issue.
"The practice of whaling in the oceans south of New Zealand is pointless and offensive to a great many New Zealanders,” he said in a statement. "The New Zealand Government has repeatedly called on Japan to end its whaling programme. We reiterate this message.”
The “repeated calls” refer to both informal public declarations and the legal action sought in the International Court of Justice (can one appeal much higher than this?) alongside Australia, and the United Kingdom. The ruling is yet to be handed down.
There is suspicion that New Zealand is protecting its macroeconomic relationship with Japan, though to say this is at the expense of local tourist operators is flawed. The Minke whales being hunted venture to New Zealand shores very rarely where whale-watching tours are a backbone for coastal communities. Unless Japan expands its operations to target Blue, Sperm, or Humpback whales, tourism will remain unaffected.
The one area in which the government stands on shaky ground is over the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd which violently pursues the Japanese fleet, engaging in all kinds of dangerous behaviours that could result in the loss of life.
McCully is right to point out that the Southern Ocean does not fall under this nation’s jurisdiction, except only for search and rescue operations, but in doing so highlights a major bind.
The idea – often called for by various groups, including the Green Party – of sending a Navy ship down to patrol the area, or tail the Nisshin Maru and its cohorts, is out of the question, and yet Sea Shepherd actions could prove lethal if there is any confrontation. Our rescue teams would be duty-bound to come to the aid of any reckless actions in those frigid waters.
The Japanese are strangely belligerent. In 2004 they simply moved their treaty position to join a pro-whaling group, and continue to operate within sanctuary boundaries. Such easy pickings! And yet 908 tons of 2012’s 1,211-ton catch went unsold, despite the AP’s polling of Japanese citizens finding the majority were in favour of such operations.
New Zealand is left with few options. While the ICJ considers, protected whales inside the Southern Ocean sanctuary will continue to be slaughtered (a travesty in and of itself), and the Sea Shepherd will continue to pursue the butchers with extreme prejudice.
Until that ruling comes, the government is bound to address any disaster in the area should the whalers and their self-described enemies engage in close-combat. Addressing a potential catastrophe, rather than actively dissuading the Japanese on the water could prove dire at home, and on the world stage.
Follow James on Twitter: @James_ARobins
