Japan vows to fight for resumption of commercial whaling
On the last day of the 2005 International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting, Greenpeace sounded the alarm over the future of the world's whales. Despite the pro-whaling countries failing to win key votes to increase whaling at this years meeting, the Japanese Government has announced it will press ahead and double its hunt in Antarctic waters. This coming December, they plan to hunt nearly a thousand whales, including the endangered fin whale in so-called 'scientific' whaling.
In addition to this increased hunt, Japan has also vowed to secure a majority at next years 2006 IWC. Member states who joined last Friday did not vote this year but will be eligible next year. An ominous statement came from a member of the Japanese delegation who told the meeting that Japan was gaining support, stating: "next year they will participate... the turning point, the reversal of history, is soon to come."
Willie Mackenzie, Greenpeace Oceans campaigner, stated that "If Japan succeed in getting a majority within the IWC, and force a return to full-scale commercial whaling, this would not reflect a change in world opinion. It would merely reflect the changes in the IWC membership due to Japan's aggressive recruiting. A hostile takeover of the IWC is underway and action must be taken to stop it."
Greenpeace acknowledged the efforts of the anti-whaling countries at this meeting, but challenged them to go beyond the political rhetoric and apply concrete steps to demonstrate it is serious about the issue and ensure that whales are protected.
"The Japanese delegation was sent a clear signal this year after the Commission voted against their scientific whaling proposal. The Commission also asked them to suspend their programme, which now includes the slaughter of highly endangered fin and humpback whales" said Mackenzie. "Japan have totally ignored the Commission's resolution and will be killing a 1000 whales this winter. And it sounds like they will be back next year pushing for the right to kill many more."
"To be effective the IWC needs to be truly independent and not bow to any country wishing to manipulate the forum for its own means. The World's whales deserve more respect."
The IWC was created in 1946 at a time when commercial whaling was the main threat to whale populations. The world's oceans in 2005 are a very different place and whales now face a myriad of threats such as being caught in fishing nets, toxic pollution and the effects of climate change.
"The IWC needs to address all of the threats facing the world's remaining whale populations. Each day, every day one thousand cetaceans die from being caught in fishing nets, and more are impacted by toxic pollution and the effects of climate change. Currently this forum does not even scrape the surface of these issues" concluded Mackenzie.
Iceland, who also kill whales for 'scientific research' is also expected to announce its quota after the end of the IWC. The Greenpeace ship, Arctic Sunrise, is currently in Iceland raising awareness of alternative sustainable industries such as whale watching.
Further information
Please contact:
- the Greenpeace UK Press Office on 0207 865 8255
- John Frizell, Greenpeace International, +82 10 22 33 07 46
- Mhairi Dunlop, Greenpeace International Media Officer, +82 10 22 33 07 53
