Japan under fire over whaling ship

Updated 23.49 Mon Feb 19 2007
Keywords: environment, whaling

Japan is facing further criticism of its whaling programme as work continues to get its stricken whaling ship moving again.

New Zealand's prime minister said Japan could face fresh international condemnation if the vessel caused an environmental disaster in the Southern Ocean. It is stranded off the frozen continent of Antarctica.

The Nisshin Maru was disabled by fire last Thursday and is currently lashed to two other whaling ships about 110 miles from the world's largest Adelie penguin breeding ground, while crews clear debris and carry out repairs

Prime Minister Helen Clark said: "We have a huge concern for the environment, a pristine environment in the area of Antarctica where New Zealand has a claim."

The Nisshin Maru was disabled by fire last Thursday and is currently lashed to two other whaling ships about 110 miles from the world's largest Adelie penguin breeding ground, while crews clear debris and carry out repairs.

Clark said the ship should be taken out of the area quickly, and offers of help from Greenpeace or a US Coast Guard icebreaker in the region should be taken up if no other way was found.

"We would like to see that stricken ship out of there as soon as possible," she said.

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