IFAW press release: Leading conservationists sound alarm over whaling

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New poll reveals strong U.S. opposition to Japan's scientific whaling program

 

 

 

 

 

(Yarmouth Port, MA - 9 June 2005) - IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare

- <http://www.ifaw.org/> www.ifaw.org) and other leading conservation groups

today called for an end to whaling and expressed concern over new proposals from

the Government of Japan to expand its whaling activities. Despite a worldwide

ban on hunting whales, Japan has continued to hunt hundreds of whales each year,

claiming its whaling is conducted for scientific purposes. A new nationwide poll

also released today shows strong majorities of Americans across the political

spectrum are concerned about Japanese whaling and want the U.S. government to

take action to stop it.

 

 

 

According to widespread media reports and government sources, Japan will shortly

announce plans to double its " scientific " whaling in protected waters around

Antarctica and to add two new protected species, fin and humpback whales, to its

target list. Japan's proposal has sparked criticism from the United States,

Australia, New Zealand and other concerned governments in recent weeks. A joint

statement released today by IFAW and five other leading conservation groups

(Greenpeace International, Humane Society International, International Wildlife

Coalition, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society and the World Wildlife Fund)

also urges Japan to end its scientific whaling program.

 

 

 

Significant majorities of Americans are opposed to whaling and find Japan's

whaling unacceptable according to a new nationwide poll by Market Strategies,

Inc.

 

 

 

Results of the nationwide survey of 1000 eligible voters include:

 

* 78% of Americans oppose commercial hunting of whales

* 71% are concerned that Japan is killing whales for scientific research

* 79% are concerned about Japanese plans to increase whale hunting (including

humpback and fin whales) in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary around Antarctica

* 76% approve of the U.S. applying diplomatic pressure against Japan

* 75% approve of U.S. officials speaking out publicly against Japanese whaling

* 66% approve of applying trade sanctions against Japan

* Concern about whaling by Japan is strong across the U.S. political spectrum.

 

 

 

Japan, Norway and Iceland continue to hunt whales. More than 25,000 whales have

been killed since the ban went into effect in 1986. Japan and Iceland claim

their hunts are for scientific purposes, though meat from slaughtered whales is

processed and sold in domestic markets.

 

 

 

" Scientific whaling is more about whaling than science. Anyone can come up with

101 things to do with a dead whale, " said Fred O'Regan, president and CEO of

IFAW. " As strong majorities of Americans clearly recognize, there is no need to

hunt whales in the 21t century. The best science in the world today comes from

studying, photographing and listening to live whales in the ocean. "

 

 

 

O'Regan highlighted the dramatic growth in the whale watching industry which

offers sustainable economic benefits to coastal communities worldwide.

" Responsible whale watching is the future, not irresponsible whaling, " O'Regan

said. " Animals and people both do better when whales are seen and not hurt. "

Global assessments conducted by IFAW demonstrate that whale watching is now

pursued in 90 countries and territories and contributes more than one billion

dollars each year in tourism revenues to coastal economies worldwide.

 

 

 

About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)

 

Founded in 1969, IFAW is an international animal welfare and conservation

organization that works to protect wild and domestic animals and to promote

solutions that benefit both animals and people. With offices in 15 countries

around the world, IFAW works to protect whales, elephants, great apes, big cats,

dogs and cats, seals, and other animals. To learn how to help IFAW protect

whales, please visit www.stopwhaling.org <http://www.stopwhaling.org/>

 

 

 

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The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW -- <a

href= " http://www.ifaw.org " >www.ifaw.org</a>) works to improve the welfare of

wild and domestic animals throughout the world by reducing commercial

exploitation of animals, protecting wildlife habitats, and assisting animals in

distress. IFAW seeks to motivate the public to prevent cruelty to animals and to

promote animal welfare and conservation policies that advance the well-being of

both animals and people.

 

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