If
you think whales have been saved, think again…
Despite the worldwide moratorium on commercial whaling, Japanese,
Norwegian, and Icelandic fisherman kill over 1,300 whales and 30,000
dolphins and porpoises per year and sell them for profit in their
fish markets!
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In
2000, the Japanese government increased its slaughter of whales to
include two additional species, endangered sperm whales and Bryde's
(pronounced Bru-dis) whales. In addition to its self-allocated annual
kill of 540 minke whales under the guise of scientific research, Japan
increased its quota to include 50 Bryde's whales and 10 sperm whales
in a move that was described by UK Fisheries Minister Elliot Morley
as "a blatant act of defiance of international opinion", deserving
"widespread international condemnation". |
At
the time, then President Clinton had this to say, "Japan's decision
last week to begin killing two more protected species of whales demands
the strongest possible response from the world community. In September
2000, Japan's whaling fleet returned to port from the North Pacific
having caught 43 Bryde's whales, 5 sperm whales and 40 minke whales.
Despite worldwide condemnation of this illegal whale hunt, the Japanese
government suffered no ill consequences for it.
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In
November 2000, the Japanese whaling fleet set out once again, this
time to kill whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. The fleet
returned to port in April, 2000 having slaughtered 440 minke whales
in a whale sanctuary, once again suffering no ill consequences.
What is wrong with this picture?
Since 1986, commercial whaling has been banned
by the International Whaling Commission (IWC), the international
body set up in 1946 to regulate whaling. Using a clause in the whaling
Convention that allows member nations to issue themselves special
permits for whaling for 'scientific purposes', Japan has defied
the IWC decision and caught over four thousand minke whales in the
last 12 years. Japan's so-called "scientific research" is not about
science, its about greed.
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The IWC does not need information obtained
by killing whales and has stated that Japan's scientific whaling
data is "not required for management". Australian Environment Minister
Robert Hill stated that: "The coincidence of whales ending up in
the fish shops in Tokyo would lead some to believe that there were
perhaps at least some other motives than just scientific enlightenment
…I think that most people accept that Japanese wish to hunt whales
for commercial purposes and utilize the scientific provision in
the convention as a loophole."
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Norway has also defied the commercial moratorium, killing over 500
minke whales per year as well. The IWC has consistently and repeatedly
issued Resolution after Resolution demanding that both Japan and Norway
stop, but they have simply ignored international law, slaughtering
thousands of whales. |
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Now,
the Japanese and Norwegian governments are planning to kill even
more whales!
In March,
2002, Norway announced it was upping its self allocated quota by
122 whales for a total kill of 674 minke whales. Japan also annouced
it would increase its self allocated quota by 100 whales, killing
50 more minke whales and 50 endangered sei whales in addition to
the 540 minke whales, 50 Bryde's whales, and 10 sperm whales it
already kills for a total slaughter of 700 whales per year.
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Masayuki
Komatsu, Japan's Fisheries Minister had this to say, "There are
so many whales…they are the cockroaches of the sea… At the IWC meeting,
we want to aim for the resumption of commercial whaling,"
In a related move, Japanese officials said they intend to import
up to 100 tons of whale meat once they have obtained permission
from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Norway has
made no secret of the fact that it wishes to trade whale meat and
blubber with Japan which is illegal under the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). This announcement came just
two months before the annual meeting of the International Whaling
Commission (IWC) held in Shimonoseki, Japan in May, 2002.
Now
Iceland is the latest nation to join the fray…
On August 14, 2003, Iceland joined the ranks of Japan as pirate
whalers under the guise of scientific research. In their first whale
hunt in over 14 years, Icelandic fisherman slaughtered 36 minke
whales claiming the whales are eating too much fish. Thus far there
has been no reaction from President Bush on these highly contentious
issues.
Its
time to stop whaling now, before its too late!
Its time to save the whales again!!!
Here's what you can do:
1. Write, e-mail, or call President Bush and let him know that you
want the US to enact the Pelley Amendment against Japan, Norway,
and Iceland until they stop whaling.
White House Comment Line: (202) 456-2461
White House Fax Line: (202) 456-2461
President Bush's e-mail address: president@whitehouse.gov
President Bush's mailing address:
President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, DC 20500
2. Write or call your US Congressman and Senators and let them know
that you want the US to enact the Pelley Amendment against Japan,
Norway, and Iceland until they stop whaling.
US Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121
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Join The Whaleman Foundation
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