Whale diplomacy the Japanese way

Santiago, Chile -- June 26, 2008: In a cautious overture aimed at bridging the divide on whaling, Japan has called on its opponents to give a little ground so that it can move. After conceding to suspend the kill of Australian humpbacks, Japan wants anti-whaling nations to make some concession themselves, its chief negotiator, Joji Morishita, said on Wednesday on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission in Chile. Sydney Morning Herald

Labels: Chile, commercial whaling, International Whaling Commission, Japan, Japanese whaling, whale watching

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Chilean President Pushes Whaling Ban

Santiago, Chile -- June 23, 2008: President Michelle Bachelet pushed to permanently ban whaling along Chile's sprawling coast at the opening Monday of the weeklong International Whaling Commission meeting.Bachelet endorsed making Chile's coastal waters -- more than 3,100 miles long and up to 200 miles from shore -- a whale sanctuary. The proposal still must be approved by Congress. Los Angeles Times

Labels: Chile, commercial whaling, International Whaling Commission, Japan, whale hunting, whale watching

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No More Yen for Whales

Dominica -- June 22, 2008: Dominica’s Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerritt, and his cabinet have taken a decision that will not endear them to the Japan Whaling Association or to some of the governments in nearby Caribbean states. It may however, help to stop the wanton slaughter of hundreds of whales every year and, at the same time, contribute to a growing tourist attraction in the Caribbean – whale watching. Skerritt has announced, in advance of the 60th meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) on June 23rd, that the country’s representative will abstain on a vote for "the sustainable use of marine resources” meaning the killing of whales. St. Kitts & Nevis Democrat

Labels: Caribbean, Chile, commercial whaling, Dominica, International Whaling Commission, Japanese whaling, whale watching, whales

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Australia releases graphic whaling photos

SYDNEY, Australia -- 7 February 2008: Australia has released graphic pictures of minke whales caught by a Japanese hunt in the Antarctic. Canberra claimed the pictures, taken by customs officers tracking the hunt, show a harpooned mother and calf being dragged from the sea. BBC News.

Labels: Anti-whaling, Australia, commercial whaling, EIA, Japan, minke, Southern Ocean Sanctuary, whales, whaling, whaling ban

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International Whaling Commission requires Caribbean resolve

International Whaling Commission requires Caribbean resolve.
By Clarence E. Pilgrim, Friday May 25 2007, Antigua Sun

When the International Whaling Commission (IWC) holds its 59th meeting in Alaska, a number of countries will have to make several important decisions which will impact on the credibility of the organisation. This includes deciding on the use (or some believe misuse) of science, for the purposes of economic exploitation of whales.

Labels: Antigua, commercial whaling, whale watching

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Japan lacks votes to end whaling ban

Japan lacks votes to end whaling ban, www.chron.com
May 21, 2007, By JOSEPH COLEMAN 2007 The Associated Press

TOKYO The fate of the 21-year-old moratorium on commercial whaling is a numbers' game played at the annual International Whaling Commission meeting and this year Japan is still short of votes in its drive to overturn the ban.

Labels: commercial whaling, Japan, whaling ban

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Landlocked Laos to join IWC

ARTICLE: Landlocked Laos to join IWC, Tokyo says likely to back bid to resume commercial whaling. May 16, 2007. Associated Press / International Herald Tribune

The landlocked nation of Laos has agreed to join the International Whaling Commission at Japan's request and is highly likely to support Tokyo's high-profile pro-whaling campaign, Japanese officials said Wednesday.

Labels: commercial whaling, foreign aid, Japan, Laos

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It's time for the whales again!

ARTICLE: It's Time for the Whales Again! Becky Dayhuff All at Sea. Links to a series of articles about whaling and the Caribbean.

Labels: Caribbean, commercial whaling, whale watching

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Iceland continues commercial hunt of whales

ARTICLE: Commercial minke whale hunting begins. 7th May 2007. Iceland Review Online.

The commercial hunt for minke whales in Iceland began on 4th May with the first minke whale caught, but is now on hold until 'scientific whaling', which begins on 8th May is finished. The total minke whale quota is 74 animals; commercial hunters have permission to kill 38 minkes, while scientists have permission to kill 36.

Labels: commercial whaling, Iceland, minke

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