Japanese Whalers to Kill Endangered Species

For immediate release: Tuesday 8th November 2005

The Japanese whaling fleet left port this morning to kill almost 1,000 whales, including endangered fin whales.

The fleet is heading towards the Southern Ocean, flouting an international ban on commercial whaling. Earlier this year, Japan announced its intention to more than double its cull of minke whales to 935 and to increase its programme further by killing 70 fin and 50 humpback whales - both of which are endangered - within the next three years.

The Japanese government is able to do this by exploiting a loophole in international law which permits it to issue licences for 'scientific whaling'. However, the meat from this 'scientific' programme ends up being sold.

Fin whales, the second largest whales in the world, are listed as endangered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and by the World Conservation Union. Their numbers have still not recovered from commercial whaling, and are under 20% of their original population size. Humpback whales typically weigh about 30 tonnes, and are also endangered. They can live for around 80 years and are renowned for songs that can last for hours.

Willie Mackenzie, Greenpeace oceans campaigner, said: "Hundreds of whales are going to be killed by this fleet despite an international ban on commercial whaling.

"Japan must immediately recall their whaling fleet, and then end this sham of 'scientific' whaling altogether. The world's remaining whale populations face a multitude of threats from humanity, such as the effect of climate change on the Antarctic ecosystem; whale populations have suffered enough after over a century a commercial whaling, without decimating them even further and having the gall to pretend it's being done for science."

ENDS

Images of the fleet's departure are available. For more information, contact the Greenpeace press office on 020 7865 8255.