(JP/US) Whaling plan raises specter of sanctions

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http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20020412b6.htm

 

Whaling plan raises specter of sanctions

 

By YOICHI KOSUKEGAWA

 

WASHINGTON (Kyodo) The head of the U.S. delegation to

an upcoming meeting of the International Whaling

Commission urged Japan on Wednesday to abandon its

plan to expand its so-called research whaling program,

indicating that Tokyo could face sanctions over the

issue.

" We are surprised, very disappointed, " U.S. IWC

Commissioner Rolland Schmitten said in an interview

with Kyodo News. " We did not believe that there is a

scientific foundation behind Japan's current program,

let alone expanded program.

 

" We will consider whatever we have to do to stop this

program, " if Japan fails to drop its plans via

negotiations, Schmitten said prior to the annual IWC

meeting in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture.

 

The meeting will run from April 25 to May 24.

 

Japan announced plans in March to include the sei

whale, an endangered species, in its catch targets and

to start an annual coastal catch of 50 minke whales as

part of its research program.

 

Schmitten said that Japan, which had sought the

resumption of coastal whaling over the past 13 years

at the IWC as a policy issue, dealt suddenly with the

matter by incorporating it into its so-called science

program.

 

" That is very confusing to the United States and it's

a reason we feel there is no scientific basis, " he

said.

 

Schmitten said the sei whale has been given special

protection by the IWC. Uncertainty still shrouds the

actual population numbers of the creature, which

primarily feeds on plankton, he said.

 

Japan gave up commercial whaling in 1986 in compliance

with an international moratorium, and it turned to

" research whaling " the following year.

 

It justifies the program by citing a need to assess

the effects of fish consumption by whales on marine

resources.

 

Conservationists describe Japan's research as a cover

for commercial whaling, noting that the meat is sold

for consumption in Japan.

 

Schmitten said the U.S. will support planned sanctuary

bids by New Zealand and Australia at the IWC meeting.

Both countries are expected to propose that almost all

of the South Pacific be made a whale sanctuary.

 

" We have been consistent in our support of

sanctuaries, " he said.

 

Schmitten added it will be difficult for the upcoming

IWC meeting to result in an accord over a new

science-based system to monitor whales on an

international basis.

 

Japan is seeking an early introduction of the system,

known as the Revised Management Scheme, to pave the

way for a resumption of commercial whaling, but it is

opposed by antiwhaling countries.

 

 

Bush told to stand firm

WASHINGTON (Kyodo) Leading environmental conservation

groups on Wednesday urged U.S. President George W.

Bush to stand firm against the prowhaling stances of

Japan and Norway and their whale meat trade.

In an advertisement in Wednesday's edition of The

Washington Post, seven environmental groups called on

Bush to use the " asset (of) U.S. leadership, including

immediate diplomatic pressure, in opposing further

commercial and so-called 'scientific research,' before

the International Whaling Commission meets later this

month in Shimonoseki. "

 

The entreaty was featured in an advertisement titled

" Mr. President: Americans support your stand against

whaling! "

 

The advertisement continues: " No other world leader

can halt this renewed threat to some of the world's

most endangered marine mammals. "

 

The sponsoring groups are: the International Fund for

Animal Welfare, the World Wildlife Fund, the Natural

Resources Defense Council, Greenpeace, the Humane

Society of the United States, the Center for

International Environmental Law and the Whale and

Dolphin Conservation Society.

 

In March, Japan announced plans to begin importing

whale meat from Norway and also voiced its intention

to expand its research whaling program to include sei,

an endangered species, in its catch target.

 

In a related move Wednesday, the IFAW said Japan

created " an international furor " last week when its

fleet returned with 440 minke whales caught in the

Antarctic Sea. Tokyo then launched a campaign titled

" Save Them, Eat Them! " to promote whale meat

consumption among the country's youth.

 

" Japan's whale hunting and eating campaign has reached

a new level of audacity, " IFAW President Fred O'Regan

said in a statement.

 

" The disregard for international treaties, world

opinion and conservation must be met with strong

action. Now is President Bush's time to make his mark

as a world leader in the international environmental

arena. "

 

The Japan Times: April 12, 2002

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