End the charade

It's hard to imagine that there is any part of the Minke whale that is not intimately familiar to Japanese scientists. Yet such is Japan's commitment to the cause of marine biology that it is to double its "scientific catch" of Minke to around 900 a year. This is, of course, a thinly veiled means of exploiting loopholes in the international ban on the commercial hunting of whales - a ban that the head of the Japanese delegation to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) yesterday called "a charade". Japan had just received a bloody nose from the commission's members, losing a battle on its proposals for what it called sustainable whaling. It was always likely Japan would not get its measure approved: a three-quarters majority was needed to overturn a ban that has been in force for 19 years. But Japan's efforts to win over such well-known whaling nations as Mongolia and Benin proved fruitless. Even its usual allies such as China and South Korea abstained.

There is a danger that the force of Japan's rejection makes matters uncertain. Its delegation is now sounding its traditional threats to defy the commission and openly resume commercial whaling, as Norway has. Japan argues that whale meat is a delicacy that is part of its culture, and as such it should be allowed to exercise its rights in the same manner as indigenous peoples do under IWC regulations. The trouble is that Japan's appetite for whales would surely outstrip sustainable culling.

Whatever the outcome, Japan, Norway and Iceland will continue to kill whales, whether cloaked in a "scientific" charade or otherwise. It is time that the rest of the world, especially those such as Britain that rightly oppose commercial whaling, responded more forcefully. The IWC has outlived its usefulness as an international regulator. Its role should be resolved to a stronger body, before it becomes irrelevant or a laughing stock. Japan's government should also be aware that its wish to play a larger role in the world - in forums such as the UN security council - could be jeopardised by its desire for a pound of whale flesh.

You’ve read it. Now review it.

Back to top

Back to top