Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Solomons Fisheries Minister resigns over his vote at Whaling Commission

Posted at 23:12 on 09 October, 2005 UTC

The Solomon Island’s Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, Paul Maenu’u, has resigned after criticism of his vote at a recent meeting of the International Whaling Commission.

At the meeting, Mr Maenu’u voted in support of Japan to lift the international moratorium on Commercial Whaling.

The Government’s position had been for Mr Maenu’u to abstain from voting.

The Prime Minister, Sir Allan Kemakeza, says Mr Maenu’u’s resignation becomes effective from today.