Japan vs. whales

Japan has been trying to increase the number of whales it can kill annually. Whale meat is part of the Japanese diet and the country reluctantly slowed their commercial whaling in 1986 to be in line with the International Whaling Commission's (IWC) moratorium. They currently kill 440 minke whales each year, plus humpback and fin whales (which are on the endangered list). They found a loophole in the moratorium and resumed their higher levels of kill, stating they were using the whales for "scientific purposes," despite international protest.

This year they seek to double the kill numbers. The IWC will be held in South Korea beginning May 30 and Japan will seek approval of the larger catch at that time.

Australia, New Zealand, Great Britian and the US are all trying to stop Japan.

I live in the Seattle, WA area and whales are a part of our lives. I have seen them from our boat and nothing can compare to the sight. We have problems with one of the Native American tribes that each year go whale hunting to preserve their history. Boats go out to try to keep the whales away from the hunt, and a great amount of media attention gets focused on the tribe and the slaughter. The damage Japan is doing is so much greater.