Greenpeace claims North Pacific Whale hunt delayed after Japanese whaling crew “ordered to stay at home”

Saturday, May 31, 2008 Source: Australia/Japan
Posted in Environment Whales | Tagged Environment, Whales

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Sydney/Tokyo - According to information received by Greenpeace, Japan’s whaling crew members, who would normally have left port by now for the annual North Pacific hunt, have been told to stay at home. The information comes two weeks after Greenpeace revealed a major scandal of stolen whale meat from the Southern Ocean hunt (1) - allegations which are now being fully investigated by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor. The North Pacific whale hunt usually begins in May (2), however, Greenpeace believe that a combination of the stolen whale meat investigation, and the government of Japan fearing international scrutiny taking place during the G8 meetings has put the hunt on hold.

“The hunt should not be simply delayed by either of these factors; both the North Pacific and the Southern Ocean whaling programs should be ended. No new permits should be given to the whaling fleet operators Kyodo Senpaku, or the Institute of Cetacean Research,” said Junichi Sato, whales project leader for Greenpeace Japan. “The government is squandering taxpayer’s money on a programme that brings virtually no science and has no market.”

“This delay makes it clear that the Japanese whaling industry is feeling the heat, due to increasing domestic scrutiny and international pressure.” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific whales campaigner Rob Nicoll.

“Prime Minister Rudd’s upcoming visit to Japan in June is an ideal opportunity to discuss Australia’s IWC modernisation plan (3) with the Japanese government and emphasise the possibilities for cooperation between Japan and Australia in non-lethal research programs”, Rob added. Both the Institute of Cetecean Research and Kyodo Senpaku already have the skill base, infrastructure and capacity to make a valuable contribution to the Australian proposal for cooperative non-lethal research.

Notes:

(1) The Stolen Whale Meat Scandal dossier can be downloaded at:

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/press/reports/whale-meat-scandal-dossier

(2) Recent departure dates for the North Pacific hunt are:

2000 - July 29th - G8 Summit in Japan, July 21st to 23rd
2001 - May 11th
2002 June 28th - G8 Summit in Canada, June 26th-27th (disputes around Alaskan aboriginal hunts with the US)
2003 - May 13th
2004 - June 10th - G8 Summit in the US, June 8th -10th
2005 - May 13th
2006 - May 23rd
2007 - May 11th

(3) Australia’s IWC Modernisation Plan:
http://www.iwcoffice.org/_documents/commission/IWC60docs/IWC-M08-INFO11.pdf