Despite all of these threats some nations, particularly Japan, Iceland and Norway want to
resume commercial whaling. An increasing number of nations in the
International Whaling Commission (IWC) are voting for an immediate
resumption of commercial whaling. This is a NOT a result of a changing
world opinion; it is because the Fisheries Agency of Japan is operating
what it calls a 'vote consolidation program'. This provides fisheries
aid to developing countries in return for their vote for a resumption
of commercial whaling at the IWC.
The history of whaling is a history of serial disasters - the depletion of one species after another. A century of commercial whaling has caused the decimation of several species. Even with the protection of a worldwide ban, recovery of populations is slow as whales take years to mature and breed.
For example, the blue whale population of the Antarctic is still less than one per cent of their original abundance despite 40 years of protection. Some populations of whales are recovering but some are not.
The west pacific grey whale population is the most endangered in the world, hovering on the edge of extinction with just over 100 remaining. The number of Antarctic whales is less than 10 per cent of what it was before whaling began.
Greenpeace is campaigning to ensure Japan, Norway and Iceland do not succeed in lifting the ban on whaling.
We work on many fronts, through our global political work and public outreach (most importantly in Japan), finding solutions to whaling and taking non-violent direct action to defend the whales and show the world what happens to them in the Southern Ocean.
The history of whaling is a history of serial disasters - the depletion of one species after another. A century of commercial whaling has caused the decimation of several species. Even with the protection of a worldwide ban, recovery of populations is slow as whales take years to mature and breed.
For example, the blue whale population of the Antarctic is still less than one per cent of their original abundance despite 40 years of protection. Some populations of whales are recovering but some are not.
The west pacific grey whale population is the most endangered in the world, hovering on the edge of extinction with just over 100 remaining. The number of Antarctic whales is less than 10 per cent of what it was before whaling began.
Greenpeace is campaigning to ensure Japan, Norway and Iceland do not succeed in lifting the ban on whaling.
We work on many fronts, through our global political work and public outreach (most importantly in Japan), finding solutions to whaling and taking non-violent direct action to defend the whales and show the world what happens to them in the Southern Ocean.
Download our save the whales fact sheet (152kb, 2 pages)
