Community | November 13, 2008 | 6 comments

Whaling target proves protests are working

source: http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/drop-in-quotas-means-protests-working-say-activists/2...

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Opponents of Japanese whaling are pointing to a reported cut in the coming Antarctic season's quota as evidence that the struggling industry is in retreat.

The Antarctic minke whale quota this summer will be reduced from 850 to 700, according to the respected Asahi Shimbun newspaper.

The federal Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, said that if the report was accurate, the change would be the first reduction in the target since 1987.

"But the Government's objective remains: bringing an end to all commercial whaling, including whaling in the name of science," he said yesterday.

The whales campaign co-ordinator for Greenpeace International, Sara Holden, said: "We are seeing the beginning of the end of whaling in the Southern Ocean whale sanctuary."

The Asahi report cited opposition from Australia and other countries, protests in the Southern Ocean and a slump in domestic consumption of whale meat among reasons for the cut. Japan sets its own quota for "scientific research" under International Whaling Commission rules.

Last season Japan told the commission it had taken 551 whales, fewer than it expected, because of "relentless interference" from environmentalists and Australia's official surveillance of the fleet.

This year it apparently still plans to take 50 fin whales. Commission scientists heard that the whalers had trouble finding the fins last season. Processing the giant animals was also difficult.

The fleet is expected to depart for the Antarctic within days, but without the usual fanfare. A traditional public farewell is not expected, according to a Greenpeace whales campaigner, Reece Turner.

He said the industry was also troubled by the announcement that a high-profile whale meat shop in Tokyo would close in 2010 because of financial problems. And for the first time, the fleet would not be 100 per cent Japanese-crewed because of resignations of former crewman.

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So if opposition is starting to work, what else can be done to quickly bring an end to the whale hunts?
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6 comments // Whaling target proves protests are working

  • misshana
    • 0
      misshana  

    • Everyone should watch EARTHLINGS (deeply moving film narrated by Joaquin Phoenix) if they have not already by now...and if that doesnt leave a lasting impression, enough to make changes to one's outlook of life, then for those people...you dont deserve the life your living at all. This is my opinion...id rather not know those people who dont share my feelings on the matter.

    • 3 years ago
  • Johniffer
    • 0
      Johniffer  

    • I think people need to stop killing animals off before they are all extinct! First the Dodo birds, then the buffalos, and whales.! If scientists need to study whales, they can do it by looking at them, taking photos, observing them with their EYES! Just like that cannon commercial says like, to just take a picture of nature and leave it untouched, and undisturbed. Hunting animals (expecially these endangerd ones) is only ok if it is going to be put to good use...and i mean like the indians in the olden days; they killed animals for food, shelter, clothing, utensils and so on and that was one animal would provide all that. Not for scientific study, or fun! We need more animal activists in the world to help stop this immoral problem. Dont eat shark fin soup either! Delicacy or not it is the most discusting, repulsive, unethical way to mistreat an animal. Its unbelievable. Go get educated on this, say no to shark fin soup!

    • 3 years ago
  • emeraldstone
    • 0
      emeraldstone  

    • Whales are cool! Killing them for sport, food or money is just stupid! Whale does not taste like chicken and never will...It very important to take back our planet's natural eco system and put it back on course.

      I applaude any way to save whales from this horrific
      death...the Japanese need to stop, it just not worth the money to kill these innocent mammals and eat their flesh...I'm going to light a candle tonite for all whales...

    • 3 years ago
  • vegman
    • 0
      vegman  

    • One could say that the Sea Shepherd throwing stink bombs at the whaling fleet is a bit extreme. But isn't it an EXTREME LIE to kill HUNDREDS of whales for "scientific" reasons when there is a MORATORIUM on killing them? Whatever wild life Japan still has, how about we'll send a team of "scientists" with rifles to shoot it en masse "TO STUDY IT". How would they like that?

    • 3 years ago
  • arcticspirit
  • arcticspirit
    • 0
      arcticspirit  

    • If the international community feels that slaughtering these intelligent mammals is wrong, I believe that every country should stop the slaughter.

      And they should not be hunted.

    • 3 years ago
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