Japan's scientific whaling program doesn't abide by new rules
Sunday, September 21, 2014, 1:11 PM - Japan's recent announcement that they are restarting their scientific whaling program is making it clear they will not abide by the stricter resolutions adopted by the International Whaling Commission.
The new rules proposed by the IWC set specific rules for scientific whaling—including determining if the program needs to lethally sample the whales, the amount of whales that need to be studied and whether that number is justified. By these new rules many of Japan's scientific whaling program do not qualify.
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Now the country has announced that they are carrying forward with their scientific programs without resubmitting their plans to the IWC—according to many experts a clear sign that they will not play ball.
New Zealand moves to stop Japan from #whaling again in the #SouthernOcean
https://t.co/Bx3Ag4eqYH
V @Antarcticocean pic.twitter.com/lwkAUJhbKc
— Michelle MacEwan (@michellemacewan) August 4, 2014
In 1986 an IWC ban on commercial whaling had a clause that allowed for whaling to continue as long as it was done for scientific purposes. Many members in the community feel that Japan has exploited this loophole.
Japan is currently the only country that performs whaling in international waters, with the exception of Greenland and the United States that allow indigenous subsistence hunts which are allowed according to IWC rules.
Vancouver Search
In British Columbia, the search continues for an injured humpback that was potted off the coast of Vancouver Island.
The marine mammal became entangled with rope, showing lacerations on its fins. By the time officials arrived at the scene the whale had disappeared.
The Fisheries and Oceans Canada department is asking anyone that spots the whale to inform the Coast Guard immediately.
Boating off SW Vancouver Island? Help find injured humpback whale: https://t.co/QnfpWnbRWF Call hotline 1-800-465-4336 pic.twitter.com/GeE3CJqbNY
— Aerin Jacob (@Aerin_J) September 18, 2014