Japan has broadened its commercial whaling operations to include fin whales, the second-largest animal species on Earth. This decision, announced on Wednesday, has been met with criticism from the Australian government and raised concerns among animal rights activists.
Details of the Expansion
- New Target: Fin whales have been added to Japan’s catch list, which already includes minke, Bryde’s, and sei whales.
- Annual Quota: Japan plans to hunt 59 fin whales this year.
- Sustainability Claim: A fisheries agency official stated that the decision is based on the belief that there are sufficient resources of fin whales.
International and Local Reactions
- Australia’s Response: Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek expressed deep disappointment, stating that Australia opposes all commercial whaling and urges countries to end the practice.
- Conservation Concerns: Fin whales are classified as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), raising alarm among animal rights activists.
Recent Developments
- Paul Watson’s Arrest: Anti-whaling activist Paul Watson, founder of Sea Shepherd, was arrested in Greenland last month under an international warrant issued by Japan. He faces an extradition request from Denmark’s justice ministry, as Greenland is an autonomous Danish territory.
- Watson’s Mission: Watson was en route to intercept Japan’s new whaling factory vessel, the Kangei Maru, which processes and stores whale meat.
Historical Context
- Traditional Whaling: Japan has a long history of whaling, with whale meat being a significant source of protein post-World War II.
- Scientific Whaling: Japan continued hunting whales for “scientific” purposes even after the International Whaling Commission (IWC) imposed a moratorium on commercial whaling. Japan exited the IWC in 2019 and resumed commercial whaling within its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone.
- Current Practice: Last year, Japan killed 294 whales, a number it deems sustainable. A panel of experts endorsed the hunting of fin whales, with Agriculture Minister Tetsushi Sakamoto referring to whales as an important food resource.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What new whale species has Japan added to its commercial whaling catch list?
- A) Humpback Whale
- B) Blue Whale
- C) Fin Whale
- D) Sperm Whale
- How many fin whales does Japan plan to hunt this year?
- A) 30
- B) 50
- C) 59
- D) 75
- Which country is NOT among those that hunt whales commercially?
- A) Norway
- B) Iceland
- C) Australia
- D) Japan
- What is the conservation status of fin whales according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)?
- A) Endangered
- B) Vulnerable
- C) Least Concern
- D) Critically Endangered
- Why was Paul Watson arrested in Greenland?
- A) For illegal whaling activities
- B) Under an international arrest warrant issued by Japan
- C) For environmental pollution
- D) For civil unrest