Japan blamed for Africa fish fall
- added June 24, 2008
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- merasyad
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- Africa (1060)
- Japan (757)
- Fish (173)
- Whaling (28)
- West Africa (17)
- International Whaling Commission (10)
- Fish stocks (2)
A coalition of conservation groups and a leading fisheries scientist have accused Japan of damaging the fisheries interests of poorer countries.
They say Japan promotes the argument that whales are responsible for declining fish stocks in order to boost support for whale hunting. They say this stops poor countries from focussing on real causes of decline.
A spokesman for Japan's whale research institution described the accusation as "absurd and irresponsible".
The groups involved presented their conclusions on the sidelines of the International Whaling Commission.
Daniel Pauly, director of the University of British Columbia Fisheries Centre, said there was abundant evidence that whales are not behind the decline in fish stocks.
"Blaming whales is an issue that is not only false - whales are no more responsible than the Martians - but which prevents the very small resources of West African countries from being devoted to understanding the real reasons why their fisheries are declining," he said.
They say Japan promotes the argument that whales are responsible for declining fish stocks in order to boost support for whale hunting. They say this stops poor countries from focussing on real causes of decline.
A spokesman for Japan's whale research institution described the accusation as "absurd and irresponsible".
The groups involved presented their conclusions on the sidelines of the International Whaling Commission.
Daniel Pauly, director of the University of British Columbia Fisheries Centre, said there was abundant evidence that whales are not behind the decline in fish stocks.
"Blaming whales is an issue that is not only false - whales are no more responsible than the Martians - but which prevents the very small resources of West African countries from being devoted to understanding the real reasons why their fisheries are declining," he said.
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