TO ATTEND MEETING ON WHALE STOCKS

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30451, 27 May 1964, Page 14

TO ATTEND MEETING ON WHALE STOCKS

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 26.

The Government has authorised the resigning director of fisheries research (Mr K. R. Allen) ,to attend a meeting of a special scientific committee of the International Whaling Commission at Lowestoft, England. This was announced .today by the' Minister of Marine (Mr Scott). The meeting opens on June 8 and Will last four or five daysMr Scott said that for the last three years Mr Allen had been one of a four-man international team of scientists undertaking an important independent investigation into Antarctic whale stocks at the request of the Whaling Commission. At this year’s meeting of the commission the team will prepare a report on their studies. - Important for N.Z. Mr Scott said the outcome of this research was important for New Zealand as it had a substantial interest in the whaling industry. It was possible that the committee’s

final report would sway any decisions made on whaling in the Antarctic next year, with particular emphasis on the regulations governing limits of catch and season. Mr Scott said the decision made by the commission this year would affect the whole future of the Antarctic whale stocks, and would determine whether they would continue to support a whaling industry or whether they were virtually wiped out in a few more years.

He added that Mr Allen’s participation in the completion of the committee’s work was naturally of some consequence for New Zealand.

“Having confirmed Mr Allen’s visit' to this important meeting long before it was known he would be resigning to take an overseas appointment, the Government has decided that he should be allowed to complete the final stages of work that will benefit all nations in the whaling industry.”