UK URGES JAPAN TO SCRAP ITS SCIENTIFIC WHALING PROGRAMME

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http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2005/051111e.htm

 

522/05

 

11 November 2005

 

UK URGES JAPAN TO SCRAP ITS SCIENTIFIC WHALING

PROGRAMME

 

Fisheries minister Ben Bradshaw has condemned Japan's

decision to go ahead with its whaling programme in the

Southern Ocean.

 

The lethal programme, known as JARPA II, will start

within days as the Japanese ships have already left

for the ocean off Antarctica.

 

Under the programme, Japan plans to increase its minke

whale kill from 440 to 935 annually. It will also kill

10 fin whales this year and 10 next. From 2007-08,

Japan plans to increase the kill of fin whales to 50

and then include 50 humpback whales annually.

 

Mr Bradshaw said: " Japan is flying in the face of

world opinion. This slaughter has little or no basis

in science and I would urge Japan not to proceed. "

 

Notes for Editors

 

Fin and humpback whales remain on the World

Conservation Union's (IUCN)

 

List of Threatened Species.

Past hunting by the world's whaling nations has pushed

these species to the brink of extinction.

 

The majority of members of the International Whaling

Commission's (IWC) Scientific Committee expressed

serious concern about all aspects of the JARPA II

proposal four months ago. IWC members then adopted a

Resolution calling on Japan to withdraw its proposal

for an increase in scientific whaling.

 

The UK is opposed to all forms of commercial whaling

and will continue to fight for the protection and

welfare of all whale species.

 

END

 

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