Tyla

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Not now
OK
Advert
Advert
Advert

Japan Resumes Commercial Whaling After A 31-Year Break

Deborah Cicurel

Published 
| Last updated 

Japan Resumes Commercial Whaling After A 31-Year Break

Featured Image Credit: Masanori Takei/AP/Press Association Images

Commercial whaling has resumed in Japan after 31 years, as supporters argue that hunting and eating whale meat is an important part of the country's culture.

Japan's last commercial hunt was in 1986, and while whaling has been allowed in the interim, this was for research purposes only.

Credit: Masanori Takei/AP/Press Association Images
Credit: Masanori Takei/AP/Press Association Images

The country has now withdrawn from the International Whaling Commission (IWC), which has banned whale hunting, but as Japan is no longer a member, it doesn't have to follow the ban.

Advert

Instead, Japan says that it will hunt sustainably, giving whaling ships permission to catch 227 whales this year in Japanese waters.

Five Japanese whaling vessels today embarked on the first commercial hunt in 31 years, with photos showing their first catch: a minke whale.

Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasutoshi Nishimura told reporters in Tokyo that he hoped the resumption of commercial whaling would carry the tradition to "the next generation".

"We hope commercial whaling will be on track as soon as possible, contribute to local prosperity and carry on Japan's rich whale culture to the next generation," he said.

Advert


The joy was echoed by Yoshifumi Kai, head of the Japan Small-Type Whaling Association, who said: "My heart is overflowing with happiness, and I'm deeply moved. People have hunted whales for more than 400 years in my hometown."

Conservation groups such as Greenpeace have condemned the whaling industry but are not thought to be taking action against Japan. In a statement in December after Japan withdrew from the IWC, Sam Annesley, executive director at Greenpeace Japan, said that the country was "out of step with the international community , let alone the protection needed to safeguard the future of our oceans and these majestic creatures".

Advert


"The government of Japan must urgently act to conserve marine ecosystems, rather than resume commercial whaling," he said. "As a result of modern fleet technology, overfishing in both Japanese coastal waters and high seas areas has led to the depletion of many whale species.

"Most whale populations have not yet been recovered, including larger whales such as blue whales, fin whales and sei whales."

Advert

Loading…

While condemning the hunting of whales, many experts believe that whaling will eventually disappear as demand for whale meat declines.

Topics: Life News

Deborah Cicurel
More like this
Advert
Advert
Advert

Chosen for YouChosen for You

Entertainment

Reason why Heidi Klum was so upset with Sofía Vergara over Netflix series Griselda

21 minutes ago

Most Read StoriesMost Read

Rebel Wilson opens up on losing her virginity at age 35 as she says others 'shouldn’t feel pressured'

a day ago