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Money talks: Japan set to whale again...

Jul 15, 2011



In the face of tragedy and natural disasters, ongoing feuding and financial concerns, Japan is set to resume its whaling operations in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary this coming December.

Following the International Whaling Commission (IWC) conference, Japan has publicly declared its commitment to resume its annual whale hunt in the name of science. The 89 countries and members of the IWC met this July in Jersey to discuss the state of global whaling, and Japan was certainly under close watch after deciding this past February that it would cease all whaling efforts early. Moreover, issues of internal corruption within the IWC as well as suspicions of bribery could very well involve Japan and expose some harsh realities challenging the integrity of the IWC as a whole.


Japan’s choice to continue its whaling efforts does not come as a huge surprise, especially given the fact that this nation has a longstanding history of fighting and upholding its right to hunt whales.

First rejecting the Moratorium on whaling established in 1986, Japan withdrew its opposition after the U.S threatened to end all fishing privileges with the nation. Japan quickly came up with a justification for its continued whaling efforts, calling their attack on whales a “scientific research program”. Since the 1970’s, Japan has consistently defied the recommendations of the IWC with respect to kill quotas and sanctuary limitations, maintaining their position on whaling and cultural belief that the practice is an integral part of Japanese history and should therefore continue.

The IWC’s annual conferences have repeatedly addressed Japan’s  “research program”, calling for more evidence proving that the lethal killing of whales is the only way to carry out research and produce significant findings. The IWC’s team of scientists have also raised the question as to what critical information this ‘research’ is providing and most importantly why non-lethal research methods are incapable of producing similar findings. Time and time again, Japan has failed to respect the concerns of the IWC and has continued to legitimize its whaling operations under a ‘scientific’ facade.

In my opinion, there is no way to justify and uphold a scientific effort that establishes annual killing quotas upwards of 1,000 whales. Not to mention Japan’s incessant presence in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, which prohibits commercial whaling in these Antarctic waters since 1994.

All in all, it would seem very evident that Japan is a nation with vested economical interest in whaling, and has always taken the necessary measure to fulfill its commitment to hunt and kill whales. Whether these measures entail providing scientific research to warrant the death of thousands of whales, the truth and reality of Japan’s intentions remains clear. This nation operates extensive and deliberate whaling operations with a financial and economic determination fuelling their actions. Beyond transparent claims and ‘research’ rights lies Japan, and their commercial whaling operation.

Earlier this year, Japan withdrew its whaling fleets form the Southern Ocean Sanctuary after continuous interference from conservation group Sea Shepherd became too much to bare.

Although Japan openly spoke out that they were unable to carry out whaling efforts with the presence of anti-whaling vessels, and that they were harassed and unjustifiably targeted, they will nonetheless embark on a 2011-12 whaling mission. Japan has publicised its frustration with Sea Shepherd by presenting the IWC with videos and pictures of last year’s anti-whaling efforts, maintaining that the group is interfering in a cultural tradition. Rather than reaching their quota of about 850 whales, Japan returned from their 2010-11 season with an estimated 170 whales. This huge loss means that Japan will struggle to gain any economic security from whaling, and therefore have to keep investing more money to uphold the ‘tradition’.

Upon learning that Japan will return to the Antarctic for the 2011-12 whaling season, Sea Shepherd has responded with a commitment to follow the Japanese fleets and launch “Operation Divine Wind”. They will continue to be the only conservation group enforcing the laws protecting whales in the Southern ocean. Attacking Japan economically by directly effecting their profit and loss will most likely continue to pose a serious threat to Japan’s whaling future. Perhaps direct action and attack on something we oppose is not always the answer, but in this case, how can those of us determined to protect endangered whales initiate change otherwise? The IWC, which is the governing body meant to properly conserve whale stocks on a global level, has failed to earn any tangible respect from the Japanese, who continue to find loopholes and ways in which to protect their own interests.

In fact, allegations of bribery and corrupt activity within the IWC raised concerns over its ability to adequately govern the whaling industry. Japan has repeatedly been under suspicion of providing some developing nations with financial compensation in exchange for support within the IWC. Investigations from 2010 revealed that officials from various countries accepted money from Japan, especially nations in the Pacific and South-East Asia. It has been a obvious tactic used by Japan to gain influence, and offering funding to places in need of economical aid is an incredibly effective way to gain support where it is needed.


Despite the challenging year Japan has had, they are proving once again their will to continue traditional business operations is strong. Japan has no intent in slowing its whaling efforts, or allowing a whale sanctuary to remain as it should be; safe.

In the face of a devastating earthquake and subsequent Tsunami in March, some critics may stay silent considering the natural disasters that hit Japan only a few month ago. However, being sensitive to Japan’s struggle to rebuild its nation’s communities and industries is a separate issue to the one at hand. Japan is responsible for the annual killing of hundreds of whales within a whale sanctuary, and must be held accountable for these actions. Clearly financial ties and economic support is a powerful tool rendering the International Whaling Commission unable to uphold its own laws. In all of the agreements and unspoken deals between members of the IWC, the marine animals for which the commission was created, are the ones being neglected. Hopefully more nations, groups and individuals will continue to challenge the IWC’s ethical integrity so that the interest of the whales remains at the heart of all discussions and decisions.

 

MJ Arsenault

Some information in my blog was found using these resources: Wikipedia "Japanese Whaling", articles from BBC's science and environment section, and the Sea Shepherd news section.

LInk here to read full articles: http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/sea-shepherd-news.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14132320

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14079749


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