International Whaling Commission 53: Greenpeace keep an eye on proceedings
The delegation of Japan showed its true colours today by voting against a proposal that encouraged all nations to treat as a matter of absolute urgency any measures that would help to protect a small population of Western North Pacific Gray Whales.
This population is down to about 100 individuals and is listed as critically endangered in the same way as the black rhinoceros, mountain gorilla and Southern blue-fin tuna.
Japan state that the correct procedure had not been followed to get the proposal to the IWC. It is a sad state of affairs when these considerations overrule protecting such a critically small population.
The proposal passed despite Japan's vote.
Japan later gave a presentation accusing whales of being responsible for declining fish populations. After much debate it was decided that a working group would be appointed to look at this issue. This working group should also look at how commercial fisheries impact upon whale populations.
Whales live in a complicated ecosystem- saying that they are responsible for declining fish stocks is a gross simplification of a complex ecosystem. Blaming whales for eating too many fish is like blaming woodpeckers for deforestation.
Interestingly, outside of the IWC, a report was published in the Jounal of Science stating the exact opposite to Japan. It concluded that man's overfishing of marine creatures at the top of the food chain- including whales- was responsible for the decline in the number of fish and other marine creatures.
The last day of the IWC was dominated by administrative matters. Next year's IWC will meet in Japan and by then it is expected that Japan will have bought in more countries to vote alongside them. This means bad news for whales and the marine ecosystem.
