Plea to Japan to suspend its threat to take humpback whales

June 23, 2009

BY ANDREW DARBY, IN MADEIRA, PORTUGAL

23/06/2009 9:35:00 AM

NEW Zealand has renewed pleas at the International Whaling Commission for Japan to lift its threat to take humpback whales in the Antarctic. A two year deal negotiated by the chairman of the IWC, Bill Hogarth, in 2007 for Japan to suspend its hunt for up to 50 humpbacks, lapses this year. The New Zealand IWC Commissioner, Sir Geoffrey Palmer, said new evidence about the endangered status of humpbacks in the South Pacific has strengthened the case for a permanent ban. While some humpback stocks are thriving, Sir Geoffrey said it was impossible to know whether Japanese harpoons would strike these whales, or the highly depleted Oceania stock. He told the IWC meeting that New Zealand wanted to "respectfully urge" Japan to remove them from its Antarctic target list permanently. Japanese whalers in Madeira for the IWC's annual meeting are refusing to comment on the humpback quota. It is believed to hinge on Japan's view of whether enough progress has been made in peace talks for the deeply divided organisation. Environment Minister Peter Garret warned: "Any actions by Japan to increase its so-called scientific whaling quota would be very disappointing and has the potential to place the entire negotiation process in jeopardy." At Madeira the main task on the IWC's agenda is to show it is bridging the gulf between pro and anti-whaling sides, after two years of special peace talks failed to bring agreement. A long term Australian campaigner for humpbacks, Mick McIntyre, of the group Whales Alive, said it was a critical time for the species in the South Pacific. "If this whole reform process falls down, this is an invitation for Japan to kick us while we're down, and start taking our humpbacks again," Mr McIntyre said. The coastal-migratory species, known for their acrobatics and confiding nature near boats, are familiar at whale-watching ports along the Australian east and west coasts.

http://www.examiner.com.au/news/national/national/general/plea-to-japan-to-suspend-its-threat-to-take-humpback-whales/1548086.aspx