IFAW news release: Japan Targets More Whales, Whaling Commission

[Guest guest]

Hi,

 

Below is a press release from day one of the International Whaling Commission's

meetings in Ulsan, Korea. We will have more news to share as the week

progresses.

 

Let me know if would like any additional info, photos, interviews etc,

 

Kerry

 

Kerry Branon

Communications Coordinator

IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)

765 Attucks Lane

Hyannis, MA 02601

508-744-2068

508-776-9872

kbranon

www.ifaw.org <http://www.ifaw.org/>

 

 

Japan Targets More Whales, Whaling Commission

 

 

IWC Meeting Opens to Controversy Over Japanese " Scientific " Whaling

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(Ulsan, Korea - 20 June 2005) - The 57th annual meeting of the International

Whaling Commission (IWC) opened today amid a storm of controversy over plans by

the Government of Japan to double its annual killing of whales in an

IWC-designated whale sanctuary and add humpback and fin whales to its target

list. A new report released today by IFAW (International Fund for Animal

Welfare - <http://www.ifaw.org/> www.ifaw.org) documents the steady expansion

of " scientific " whaling by Japan since the IWC imposed a moratorium on

commercial whaling in 1986. Japan has killed more than 8,000 whales under the

guise of science since the commercial whaling ban. IWC member countries,

scientific experts and leading conservation organizations have been sharply

critical of Japan's new whaling proposal leading up to this year's annual

meeting.

 

 

 

" Scientific whaling is more about whaling than science, " said Dr. Joth Singh,

IFAW Director of Wildlife and Habitat. " Japan's latest plan is commercial

whaling in a pitiful disguise and an insult to modern science. There is no

scientific justification for killing whales in the 21st century. We already have

sufficient information from dead whales. The Japanese Government should stop

whaling now. "

 

 

 

The international community has condemned scientific whaling through 40 IWC

resolutions since 1986. Japan's new proposal has sparked formal criticism in

recent weeks from the United States, Great Britain, Australia, Germany, France,

Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Sweden, Argentina, Brazil,

Finland and other governments. A joint NGO statement released today by IFAW and

five other leading whale conservation groups also urges Japan to end its whaling

activities.

 

 

 

IFAW experts said the outcome of this year's meeting was too close to call given

increasing efforts by Japan in recent years to recruit countries sympathetic to

its position into the IWC. Cameroon, Gambia, Togo and the South Pacific island

of Nauru are the newest IWC members, having joined days prior to this year's

annual meeting. " We're fighting to save the whales and the Commission set up to

protect them, " said Dr. Singh. " Japan is moving things steadily in the opposite

direction. "

 

 

 

About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)

 

Founded in 1969, IFAW is an animal welfare and conservation organization that

protects animals and their environments worldwide. From offices in 15

countries, IFAW works to develop conservation solutions that benefit both

animals and people. To learn more about our efforts to protect whales, please

visit www.stopwhaling.org <http://www.stopwhaling.org/> or www.ifaw.org

<http://www.ifaw.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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