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Japan hints at major whaling deal
Tuesday, 29 May 2007 - 5:04 AM SL Time |  | |
Japan has hinted at significant compromise at the opening of the annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in Alaska.
Deputy whaling commissioner Joji Morishita said Japan would consider abandoning proposals to hunt humpback whales in the next Antarctic season.
In return it would ask for approval of its request for limited commercial hunting by four coastal communities.
Conflict appears likely over hunting by some indigenous peoples, however.
The proposed humpback hunt has been a major issue in anti-whaling countries, notably Australia and New Zealand which both run healthy whale-watching industries with humpbacks as their star turn.
Japan plans to add 50 humpbacks next year to its annual Antarctic hunt, which it runs under regulations permitting whaling for scientific research.
The hunt currently takes minke and fin whales.
Making deals
Speaking to reporters immediately before the meeting opened, Mr Morishita stopped short of offering a formal deal, but hinted at progress behind the scenes.
We are open-minded for dialogue (on the humpback question), and we might come up with a big package which will satisfy all members,` he said.
`But we are very keen to see our small-type coastal whaling proposal progress.`
This proposal would entitle four coastal communities to take a small number of minke whales. The same number of minkes would be deducted from the current self-awarded coastal scientific quota.
There has been no formal response from the anti-whaling bloc, but conservation groups are likely to urge their governments to avoid any compromise.
`Clearly, publicly [the governments] will not be supporting it,` commented Gordon Shepherd, head of global policy with the environmental group WWF.
`But privately in this kind of meeting there can be deals done behind the scenes, which is why it`s rather important the NGOs are here, to keep an eye on those deals, to make sure they`re done on the basis of science and the basis of conservation, and not on the basis of political expediency.`
Problem quotas
Indigenous hunts appear likely to cause some major headaches at this meeting.
Aboriginal, or subsistence, permits are given to groups judged to have a strong whaling history and a need for whale meat. They are awarded in five-year blocs, and are up for review in Anchorage.
Greenland wants to expand the scale of its indigenous hunt, and include humpbacks and bowhead whales for the first time. With much of the meat being sold, there are concerns that it is coming too close to being a commercial endeavour.
Russia also asked for additional quotas for its Chukotka region.
But the US is desperate to renew quotas for its own indigenous groups here in Alaska, and may find it politically difficult, with its anti-whaling allies, to oppose the Greenland bid.
`There`s a lot of discussion going on with Greenland and others to see if we can reach some compromise that we could support,` said US whaling commissioner Bill Hogarth.
`We realise it`s important to Greenland, but you have to be careful of the species you take, and whether you have scientific justification,` he told BBC News.
Latin American countries are said to be particularly riled by the bids, particularly as they feel that Russia and Denmark (which speaks for Greenland) have consistently opposed plans for a whale sanctuary in the south Atlantic.
Meeting of minds?
Last year the pro-whaling camp enjoyed its first triumph in 20 years with the passing, by a single vote, of a motion calling for the eventual resumption of commercial whaling.
The moratorium itself will not be lifted in the foreseeable future, as it would require a three-quarters majority of votes.
In any case, this year the balance of power has shifted, with new members such as Croatia, Cyprus, Ecuador, Greece and Slovenia weighing in on the anti-whaling side, against only Laos as a probable new pro-whaling country.
In recent years, the IWC has been riven by a fundamental divide between the two camps, its meetings marked by emotional and often aggressive language.
Preliminary exchanges here have been in a much more conciliatory spirit, with delegates on both sides talking of finding common ground.
But Japan will be tabling a strong resolution against the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, which disrupted Japan`s Antarctic hunt in the 2006-7 season, holing one vessel and engaging in what Mr Morishita called `very violent activities`.
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Source(s)
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JRJayawardena
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28 May 2007 22:09:35 GMT Report for Abuse
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I always feel strange when I reproduce something related to whaling, because I know the Japanese are there to be 'Minced meat'ed. But with due respect to Saint I know he doesn't mind me talking the truth (as always), Japan needs to change their adamant policy on whaling.
I really hope these maginificent creatures have a field trip one day from the shackles of the hunters of the Japanese, because unlike the No-wegians Japs are the ones with gourmet fantasies for these sea giants.
JRJ |
Saint
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28 May 2007 22:12:19 GMT Report for Abuse
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So you finally came, but with the irritating thing again, I am all out of your path this time ...
;-)) |
JRJayawardena
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28 May 2007 22:44:27 GMT Report for Abuse
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Saint,
It makes me twice thinking before I publish something nasty about Japan, 'cos I know your a top chap and to say something against who virtually has ownerships to Japan makes it harder :))
Anyway, I know the truth of the matter stays the same whether we talk or sweep it under the carpet :)
JRJ |
Saint
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28 May 2007 23:45:04 GMT Report for Abuse
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Machan,
I like the people and the country, they don't ill treat you like westerners and they really care for people, as all the other good things this one also have few negative points, which are hurting the image, but hey I am a damn conservative partisan.
;-) |
Maitreya
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28 May 2007 23:49:20 GMT Report for Abuse
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JRJ,
Why they hunt whales? is it only for the food or something else too?
Besides Japan who else kill this mammoth mammals? |
Imperator
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29 May 2007 00:50:22 GMT Report for Abuse
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Deputy whaling commissioner Joji Morishita said Japan would consider abandoning proposals to hunt humpback whales in the next Antarctic season.
In return it would ask for approval of its request for limited commercial hunting by four coastal communities
I heard this on the radio just this morning. The Aussies are not impressed with this proposal. They want the whaling stopped fully. |
JRJayawardena
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29 May 2007 01:03:22 GMT Report for Abuse
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Maitreya bro,
Besides Japan who else kill this mammoth mammals?
There are quite few countries who do whaling in the world, but are hardly mentioned.
Norway and Canada come next closely followed by Greenland, Iceland, Indonesia, Russia and US.
But its often Japan that comes out of those due to their reluctance to anti-whaling issues. Its also the case that Japan are trying to bend the law enofrorcement. The anti-whaling law was implemented in 1986 for 20 years then was lifted last year and Japan was quick to sieze the opportunity and hence now we have this issue again of possible extinction of some rare speacies.
Its thought there are few whales left but no body knows the exact amount. Its bit like elephant breeding, these marvelous fellows are hard to breed. So the extinction is imminent unless we do something as environmentalists.
I am not sure what other businesses they do with other than meat, possibly their teeth and skin for various purposes, like tigers in China.
JRJ |
JRJayawardena
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29 May 2007 01:11:09 GMT Report for Abuse
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Saint,
they don't ill treat you like westerners and they really care for people
machang, no offense there on Japan. In fact I have Japanese friends whom I get along very well.
Now let me categorise slightly differently. For the Japs its just meat of some kind of fish in the sea, 'so why bother' scenario. In fact for them there are more concerns from what I know Japs are so concerned about precision and technology, this is why they have huge impact in the world and the second economy they are so damn fussy over that they don't concern about things such as whales.
Ok, may be lets say, what have they really done to curb the Environmental pollution? I always get into a broil when Japs and Uncle Sam talk about such things while creating more mayhem. Machang, people may be nice but as a global nation their impact on saving natural habitat is somewhat questionable.
JRJ |
Maitreya
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29 May 2007 01:44:54 GMT Report for Abuse
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JRJ,
With all the irresponsible greedy conservation, i think lot of species will go close to extinction. you may prolong a little, unless drastic measures taken, human will mess up this planet very soon, it is even worse when the worst nature abuser US is ignoring it's impact on the earth. Human is destroying this nature in many ways. It is all because of greediness of man. Not thinking of future generations and at any cost they do whatever they want and being not responsible. JRJ, i think in few hundreds years, this earth will be unfit for humans.
Edited By - Maitreya - 29 May 2007 01:45:42 GMT |
groovygirl
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29 May 2007 01:51:02 GMT Report for Abuse
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Guys..! Guys!
Isn't it late...go out for a drink, and have fun :))
Maitreya,
No date ?
gg |
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