whaling

A symbol for the reopening of whaling

THE effectiveness of the Australian-led drive to cre ate a South Pacific Whale Sanctuary could come into question following a move by Japan mid- November to defy a ban on whale hunting.

Japan’s brand new whaling fleet left the country mid- November to hunt whales in the Antarctic whale sanctuary despite concerns raised by the International Whaling Commission (IWC).

The fleet includes the Yushin Maru, which is the first new whaler built by Japan in 26 years.

The Japanese move has been described by that country’s press as “a symbol for the reopening of whaling”.

Leaders at the last South Pacific Forum meeting had sup ported the proposal to establish a South Pacific Whale Sanctuary for great whales. However, during the meeting there was last-minute opposition to the sanctuary from Palau to the wording to the agreement.

Palau wanted the text to include the cultural considerations of island countries and “their partners”. Japan is a big sup porter of the Palau economy and funds many aid projects in that country.

The final text of the Sancutary recognised the need to con sult with Dialogue Partners, including Japan.

The Japanese government describes the Antarctic whale hunt as “scientific research”. However, the International Whaling Commission says the results of Japan’s Antarctic program are not required for management of whales.

The most recent meeting of the IWC, formally noted “the grave concerns of eminent members of the international sci entific community over the continuation of lethal whale research programs”.

Whale meat from the hunt is expected to sell for more than US$5O million on the open market when the fleet returns to Japan in the Spring of 1999.

“To describe this commercial whaling operation as scien tific research is an insult to science,” says John Frizell of Greenpeace International.

“Japan is catching whales in a whale sanctuary, intending to open that sanctuary for full scale commercial whaling,” says Frizell.

“Japanese industry is investing millions of dollars in new equipment to assist the whalers. This is commerce, not sci ence.”

Japan’s whaling fleet is owned by three large fishing com panies, who are thought to be the source of financing for the new catcher boat. ■