oceans

Whale sanctuaries overview

Last edited 8 November 2001 at 9:00am
Japanese whalers harpooning a minke

Japanese whalers harpooning a minke whale

Article tagged as: IWC, oceans, whale sanctuaries, whales, whaling

Comments on Japanese rebuttal

Last edited 29 October 2001 at 9:00am
Publication date: 
29 October, 2001

Greenpeace comments on the standard letter sent out by the Japanese Embassy in response to letters from the public protesting at Japan's so-called 'scientific' whaling

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Article tagged as: japan, oceans, reports, whaling

What is OSPAR?

Last edited 28 October 2001 at 8:00am
Publication date: 
30 May, 2001

Greenpeace media briefing

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Article tagged as: oceans, OSPAR, reports, reprocessing, sellafield

Increasing environmental threats to whale populations exposed as IWC is overshadowed by Japanese vote buying

Last edited 27 July 2001 at 8:00am
27 July, 2001

As the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting ended in London today, Greenpeace stressed that Japanese vote buying (1) has prevented vital steps from being taken to protect the world's remaining whale populations, such as the creation of South Pacific and South Atlantic whale sanctuaries. Greenpeace also warned that the threats posed to all whale populations by man- made environmental degradation of the oceans are being grossly under estimated. (2)

Article tagged as: IWC, japan, oceans, press releases, vote buying, whaling

Japan votes against protecting last 100 Western North Pacific gray whales

Last edited 27 July 2001 at 8:00am
International Whaling Commission 53: Greenpeace keep an eye on proceedings

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.

Article tagged as: IWC, japan, oceans, western north pacific gray whales, whaling

Revised Management Scheme vote withdrawn

Last edited 27 July 2001 at 8:00am
IWC53: entrance

IWC53: entrance

At today's IWC the voting on the Revised Management Scheme did not go ahead after being withdrawn from the agenda by the Chair. Greenpeace supports the Chair in this decision, stating that,

"The IWC acted responsibly by not agreeing to a management scheme that would have led to the resumption of commercial whaling, especially in view of the fact that whales are faced with a number of serious environmental threats such as chemical pollution, noise pollution climate change and over-fishing."

"In addition, history has shown us that commercial whaling cannot be managed and has always led to gross over-exploitation and depletion of stocks."

Article tagged as: IWC, oceans, revised management scheme, whaling

Japan tries to obstruct moves to protect critically endangered whale population

Last edited 27 July 2001 at 8:00am
27 July, 2001

Greenpeace expressed outrage today at Japan's decision to vote against a proposal to protect the critically endangered Western North Pacific Gray Whale - of which there are believed to be less than 100 left.

Japan was the only country to vote against a proposal at the International Whaling Conference (IWC) to 'safeguard' the remaining whales which are listed as 'critically endangered' by the World Conservation Union - putting them in the same bracket as the black rhinoceros and mountain gorilla.

Article tagged as: conservation, IWC, oceans, press releases, western north pacific gray whales, whaling

British ex-whaler speaks out in support of the global whaling ban

Last edited 25 July 2001 at 8:00am
Ex-whaler John BurtonBritish ex-whaler John Burton worked on British whaling ships in the late 1940s and early 1950s. He is attending the International Whaling Commission meeting this week to relate his experiences of life onboard a factory whaling vessel, and explain why he now supports a ban on commercial whaling. You can read his story here:
Article tagged as: IWC, oceans, whales, whaling

Japanese vote buying sinks South Pacific Whale Sanctuary

Last edited 24 July 2001 at 8:00am
International Whaling Commission 53: Greenpeace keep an eye on proceedings

International Whaling Commission 53: Greenpeace keep an eye on proceedings

IWC conference update: day 2

Bad news today at the IWC when measures to further protect the world's whales were undermined when South Pacific nations were denied their right to a South Pacific Whale Sanctuary (SPWS). Opposition from Japan, Norway and the block of countries that vote with Japan in return for Overseas Development Aid, prevented the sanctuary proposal from achieving the three quarters majority it needed to be adopted.

Article tagged as: IWC, japan, norway, oceans, whaling

Japanese vote buying sinks South Pacific Whale Sanctuary

Last edited 24 July 2001 at 8:00am
24 July, 2001

Measures to further protect the world's whales were today undermined when South Pacific nations were denied their right to a South Pacific Whale Sanctuary (SPWS). Opposition from Japan, Norway and the block of countries that vote with Japan in return for Overseas Development Aid (1), prevented the sanctuary proposal from achieving the three quarters majority it needed to be adopted.

Article tagged as: IWC, japan, oceans, press releases, sanctuaries, south pacific, whaling