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Posted on Wednesday October 27th 2010 at 5:24 p.m.
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Written by Marianne Robson - Christchurch Anti-Whaling Committee
The Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary was established by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 1994, yet every year up to 1000 whales, mostly minke whales, but also some endangered fin whales, as well as humpbacks, are targeted by the whalers - and this happens in New Zealand's own backyard!
So far the New Zealand Government has done nothing to address this, and the Foreign Minister remains strangely silent when it comes to stopping the slaughter. Many New Zealanders are appalled at this lack of action and want to show how much they care about whales - and they have a chance to prove how they feel by helping to put a full S.T.O.P. to this barbaric practice right here and now, in Christchurch.
S.T.O.P. stands for ‘Show Them Our People', because instead of a signature, it involves submitting upwards of 5000 photos of New Zealanders to the Government asking them to step up and put an end to whaling in this protected area. It is a simple process, which entails uploading a picture to www.antiwhalingday.org; a picture book of all the people taking part will then be submitted to the New Zealand Government to show them how strongly people feel about this important issue, and that it is totally unacceptable to simply ignore it year after year.
Pre-whaling estimates for the Antarctic Blue whale were 239,000; today's estimates are at less than 2,300. As for the Southern Right whale, the pre-whaling estimates were 55,000 to 70,000 -only about 7,500 are left today. Sei and Fin whales fare no better. Worldwide, over 200,000 Humpback whales have been slaughtered in the 20th Century due to whaling (Source: WWF).
"It's the cruelty of it that gets me" says Lee, a passionate anti-whaling campaigner,
"it can take up to an hour for a whale to die, drowning in its own blood - if that happened in a slaughterhouse, everybody would be up in arms! Unless we stop it, it could happen to hundreds of whales again this year, and this in a Whale Sanctuary right in our own backyard, it's insane!"
Marianne, a supporter, adds: "we are not responsible for the demise of the dinosaurs - but we will be 100% responsible if the whales become extinct - do YOU want to look into your great-grandchildren's eyes and explain to them why you did nothing to stop it?"
Ryan, another fervent campaigner, has a few choice words: "this is enough!! How many whales must be killed in our Southern Ocean Whale sanctuary before our Government takes action? The people of New Zealand are demanding some strong leadership from our government to stop this grave barbaric and abhorrent injustice now."
Andy, a volunteer helper adds: "I love the Japanese people and their culture, but I simply don't understand how they can allow a small minority of their citizens to be part of something so cruel, from the slaughter of the whales to the slaughter of the dolphins in Taiji - I just don't get it!"
The event itself in Christchurch, on Saturday the 6th of November, is planned as an informative and fun family day out, with stalls, food and drink, competitions and even a life-size whale! Schools as well as businesses are taking part, with entertainment being provided by musicians and speakers from Christchurch and beyond.
Auckland 5th Nov 2:00pm - 5:00pm
March & demonstration from Maritime Museum to the Consulate General of Japan - ASB Bank Centre Level 12/129-135 Albert St.
Come along on Nov 5th and help support this really important cause! We will have whalesong, info & photos from last year's whaling season and a crew member from the Ady Gil will be there to answer any questions! Find out more...
Wellington 5th Nov 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Join our March that starts at The Consulate of Iceland walking along to The Consulate of Norway, the Embassy of Japan, and finally ending at the steps of the New Zealand Parliament.
Come along and help support this really important cause! It is a peaceful protest outside the Consulates and embassies of Iceland, Norway and Japan where we will present our petitions for an end to whaling. We also have a couple of very special guest speakers! Find out more...
Christchurch 6th Nov 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Enjoy some of the free entertainment being put on including live music, street art and exhibitions. Simply come down, take part and be in with a chance to win some of the great prizes on offer including whale watching trips, dolphin excursions, surf equipment hire, natural products from Lush and much more! Find out more...
Meet New Zealand businesses involved in saving our ocean and its whales including Whale Watch Kaikoura, Dolphin Encounters, Black Cat Cruises and many others.
