Look Out, Humpbacks: Japanese Whaling Fleet Heads South
Japan’s whaling fleet is heading to the waters near Antarctica, and the EU, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States have voiced disapproval with the hunt it will engage in. Here’s a report from Sky News:
The reporter says the Japanese plan to “continue hunting the whales as long as they are not in danger of extinction,” a description of Japanese fishery officials’ assurances that it engages in sustainable whaling that does not significantly impact overall whale populations. Time Magazine has some statistics
“Whales are just as important, and no more special, than any other fish,” says Japan Fisheries Agency spokesperson Hideki Moronuki, maintaining Japan’s long-held position that marine mammals should get no special treatment for being warm-blooded. Japan maintains that with a population of around 40,000 growing at 15% a year, the formerly endangered humpback has recovered to a sustainable level for lethal research.
If we are the believe the population figures cited by the Japanese, or even Wikipedia‘s mention of 100,000 humpback whales worldwide, it would be very hard to claim that the Japanese fleet’s killing of 50 humpbacks this year would pose any significant threat to the species’ recovery. However, the emotional attachment felt by many westerners towards the humpback whale could lead to even greater international opposition of Japan’s whaling program:
The Fisheries Agency is well aware of how its hunt will play globally. One of the agency’s negotiators, Joji Morinuki said the humpback was a “politically difficult” animal. But it is reaction in America which he will be watching most closely. Activists say the whaling fleet delayed its trip until Sunday to avoid embarrassing Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who was in the US on a state visit.
Paul Watson, of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, had a simple message for the Japanese: “Bring it on. The humpback hunt will be the biggest recruiting tool we have ever had.”
It’s still not enough to make Australia declare war on Japan, though.
[A reminder to those with strong feelings about whaling: Refrain from posting racist crap and insults. I'm getting tired of having to delete dozens of idiotic comments every time whaling season comes around.]
