Japanese Refuse to Abide by the Moratorium Against Whaling
Sunday, May 6th, 2012
Whales are one of the biggest yet gentlest creatures in the marine ecosystem. In the past, different types of whales, from killer whales, humpback whales and Minke whales, were flourishing and migrating throughout the world from the Pacific Ocean to the deep Atlantic. However, at present, the whale varieties have actually been threatened of extinction as a outcome of illegal and inhumane projects that is occuring as we speak. Whales as well as additional animals of fish, consisting of dolphins, have been drastically affected in a negative means due to human fishing projects that have led to the continual and gradual depletion of these stunning marine species.
The adverse impact humans have had on whales stems from the commercial hunting for meat and perfume ingredients. More than 2 million whales were killed in the early 20th century. By the middle of the 20th century, whales were seriously endangered and amounts were reduced. In 1986 the International Whaling Commission (IWC) banned commercial whaling, however Japan goes on to ignore this ban. Once the ban was in location, Japan went on to hunt whales using a loophole that offers for medical investigation. The meat from these hunts is offered in shops and restaurants. Though Japan is skirting the guidelines, and it is frowned upon by the IWC, the IWC still allows it.
Sea Shepherd is an organization that says Japan is in violation of the IWC rules on all commercial whaling. They point out that the Japanese public does not support commercial whale hunting, however all the major political parties do. Whale meat supposedly caught for “investigation reasons” ends up in the popular Tsukiji fish market, Ocean Shepherd points out. They examine this embezzlement of whale meat on a routine basis and try to defend against whaling in the high seas as it is arising.
Whale hunting has been worldwide banned because 1986. The International Whaling Commission enacted this ban however left several loopholes open. Whales can easily be fished for medical investigation, as well as by a few aboriginal groups. Japan hunts whales to use their meat and professes that they are performing medical investigation. The non-profit business Marine Shepherd helps oversee Japan and eliminate excess hunting.
The unlawful whale hunts have not stopped. More needs to be done to eradicate whaling before the species is absolutely depleted. Ocean Shepherd is committed to this fight. Visit Sea Shepherd to learn more.