Bridges Trade BioRes • Volume 5 • Number 11 • 10th June 2005

Controversy on Japanese Whaling Proposal in Lead-up to IWC

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A leaked document suggesting that Japan will seek to expand its quotas for scientific whaling dominated a heated debate in the run up to the 57th Annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). According to the leaked document, Japan will try to get approval at the 20-24 June meeting to double their current minke whale take in the Antarctic and to extend their whaling to larger species of humpback and fin whales. This has angered ecologists and countries that oppose commercial whaling who have accused Japan of using research as an excuse for pursuing hunting on a commercial basis banned since 1986.

The IWC’s Scientific Committee, which includes more than 200 whale biologists nominated by member governments, is meeting behind closed doors from 30 May to 12 June to discuss statistical information and trends in whale populations in order to provide scientific advice to the commission related to conservation measures. The committees’ findings will be revealed at the IWC’s annual meeting later in the June and are likely to affect the decision on an increase of Japan’s scientific whaling.

The main duty of the IWC is to keep under review and revise as necessary the measures required to ensure the proper conservation of whale stocks and thus make possible the orderly development of the whaling industry. The Commission also encourages, co-ordinates and funds whale research. For more information on IWC visit http://www.iwcoffice.org/index.htm. Full coverage of the 57 Annual meeting will be provided in the next issue of BRIDGE Trade BioRes.

“Experts consider Japanese whaling proposal”, ABC News 30 May 2005; “Scientific Committee of IWC convenes Monday in S Korea” Japan Today 30 May 2005, “Japan whaling seen as threat to Tonga”, Matangi Tonga Magazine 7 June 2005, “Australia Courts Island Nations to Stop Whaling” REUTERS NEWS SERVICE 7 June 2005