Secret plans by the South Korean Government to build a whale and dolphin meat processing factory, despite an international ban on whaling, have been exposed today (7 April) by Greenpeace.
The factory is planned to be built in the very city that will host this year's meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), the body set up to halt the loss of whale populations. Historically known as the 'City of Whales', the south-east port of Ulsan will host the IWC meeting in June.Earlier today, 50 activists set up a protest camp at the site of the meat factory and unfurled a banner calling for 'Sanctuary Not Cemetery'.
The international hunting of whales is banned but South Korean Government figures show that 'accidental' catches of whales in their waters are up to 100 times greater than other countries.
While South Korea has no official whaling industry, if a whale or dolphin is caught in a fishing net it can be sold for a huge price. In 2004, the average price of a mature minke whale was US$100,000.
Scientists believe that even the most populous whale species in Korean waters, minke whales, are in serious decline because of this trade.
Sarah Duthie, head of Greenpeace's oceans campaign, said: "Is South Korea planning on harpooning whales out of the ocean and onto their dinner plates? There seems to be no other reason to build a brand new whale and dolphin butchery plant.
"Any resumption of the whaling industry will decimate whale numbers. South Korea mustn't be allowed to drive whales towards extinction. It's vital that governments attending the IWC meeting, under whose very noses this factory is being built, make sure that whales get the protection they deserve."
A total ban on whaling was implemented in 1982 by the IWC, in order to protect the marine mammals from being hunted to extinction; whale populations were dwindling and attempts to regulate the industry had failed.
Further information
You can contact the Greenpeace press office on 020 7865 8255, or Sarah Duthie on 020 7865 8297.
For more details, including a plan of the proposed whale and dolphin meat processing factory, visit www.comebackwhales.com
