Media release - May 17, 2002
For the first time since a global ban on hunting whales was implemented by IWC member countries in 1986, Japan is poised to win resumption of large-scale commercial whaling.
Bush Must Take Strong Action to Protect Whaling Ban
Washington, D.C., May 17, 2002Ý- Next week marks the beginning of the ministerial portion of this year's meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in Shimonoseki, the home port of the Japanese whaling fleet. For the first time since a global ban on hunting whales was implemented by IWC member countries in 1986, Japan is poised to win resumption of large-scale commercial whaling.
Everyone knows that the Japanese have been hunting whales under the guise of "scientific research," a thinly disguised form of using it as a cover for commercial whaling ever since the ban went into force. The meat from caught whales is later sold in Japan for consumption and can cost more than $100 a pound.
The outrage this year comes from new evidence showing how the Fisheries Agency of Japan has undertaken a major effort to overturn the international ban on whaling. Unable to persuade members of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to lift the current moratorium on commercial whaling, Japan has embarked on a recruitment and vote-buying initiative to manipulate the process and shift the balance of power at the IWC, away from conservation and towards the hunting of whales.
Japan is gaining allies by recruiting new countries with no interest in whaling into the Commission, which then vote with Japan towards the objective of resumed commercial whaling. This recruitment process involves offering fisheries aid to poor coastal countries in exchange for supporting Japan's whaling policies and is in clear violation of every principle of international law. These countries regularly attend IWC meetings, at Japan's expense, and speak in favor of a resumption of commercial whaling, voting with Japan on every vote.
As a result of this strategy Japan has already assembled a blocking minority within the IWC. Last year this minority prevented the creation of two whale sanctuaries, in the South Pacific and South Atlantic, largely due to the votes cast against the proposal by Japan andÝ some eastern Caribbean countries.Ý This year the same coalition is orchestrating an all-out campaign to drop the commercial whaling ban.
Traditionally, the U.S. delegation has voted to protect whales and keep Japan from resuming its commercial whaling. This position is the right one and the Bush Administration has stuck to it. But, just showing up and voting the right way is not enough. The Bush Administration must take a stronger stand for the protection of whales and against illegal vote buying.
Maintaining the ban on commercial whaling is an international environmental issue that enjoys the support of governments and people worldwide. This is the pro-environmental opportunity President Bush has been waiting for. Republicans in Congress have even sent a letter asking him to impose economic sanctions on Japan until it drops its underhanded strategy. Bush must be vocal in expressing his outrage and work to rally other leaders to speak out.