IWC meeting set for fiery debate over whaling

IWC..what a joke. Why don't all the antiwhaling nations that are against killing ANY whales for ANY reason just leave the IWC and form an Anti-IWC? Obviously they have no interest in "regulating" the whaling industry they just want to exterminate the whaling industry,

in 2013 and during the 2013/14 Antarctic summer, Japanese hunters took 252 minke whales in the Antarctic and 92 off its own coast, as well as 100 sei, 28 Bryde’s, three minke and one sperm whale in the northwest Pacific.

Most of which will remain in freezers, uneaten. To me, that is the crux of the issue. The market for whale meat in Japan is exceedingly small and does not warrant using taxpayer money to support this money-losing, resource-wasting industry. I hope somebody brings this up at the meeting.

It was the western nations that depleted whales, not Japan. But now they make it look like it is all Japan's fault.

It was the western nations that depleted whales, not Japan

And again, I say:

Whether this is true or not, if they need protection (conservation), they need protection regardless of who depleted them in the first place.

I am for whale hunting as far as it is aboriginal right. But the Japan's problem is that most of Japanese people do not like whale meat very much. It is reported that three fourth of them remained unsold in 2012 in an auction. And we know our taxes including $23 million reconstruction budget (why !?) are poured into the whale hunting organization where retired Fisheries Agency officers parachute.

It was the western nations that depleted whales, not Japan. But now they make it look like it is all Japan's fault.

Bwahahahahahahahah! I nearly choked on my breakfast reading this guff!

Japan does not need to hunt whales commercially, simply because they is no market for the meat. Even in the years prior to the IWC ban Japan was force-feeding whale meat to school kids. There are a few areas of Japan with a tradition of hunting and eating whales and they have been hunting them locally for centuries. However, these 'traditional' hunts have never been monitored and the impact of their hunts on the environment has never been studied. I've heard a lot of ridiculous arguments supporting them like, "Whales eat fish, so we must kills whales to support the fish populations" which I utter rubbish, of course. The north-western Japan sea is a desert full of giant jelly fish because of over fishing. Sardines (iwashi) are extinct in many areas around Japan. The only reason Japan wants to continue hunting whales commercially is so it can go back to force-feeding children whale meat in their school lunches because it's cheap (and nasty). I can support aboriginal hunting and subsistence hunting, but only if it is monitored and not done for commercial purposes to profit from the exploitation of whale stocks.

Stop wailing about whaling.

Japan is respectful of rare birds and protective of animals. If minke whales were endangered Japan would no doubt prohibit it's hunting.

Much of the catch ended up at restaurants and fish markets in Japan, where the tradition of eating whale meat is declining.

But Japan will press on anyway just to thumb its nose at the IWC. Which will only cost it more money and more loss of International prestige. Good decision.

disillusioned

I can support aboriginal hunting and subsistence hunting, but only if it is monitored and not done for commercial purposes to profit from the exploitation of whale stocks.

Why should aboriginal communities be forbidden from profiting? After all, in every community where whaling is allowed by aboriginal exemption, trade in whale meat and bone is as much a part of the tradition as the hunt itself.

Are you against them trying to better the economic state of their communities on their own terms?

“Any scientific question that you need to ask that is required to conserve or manage a stock, population or species of whales can be addressed through non-lethal means,”

Wrong! There's the ever-pressing and epitome of scientific need-to-know question of if it tastes better with soy-sauce or mayonnaise, and then there's the science of loop-holes and bending rules when you don't get your way and can't be an exception. There's also the science of how often a nation can fall back on the "you're attacking our culture!" argument when things are 'regrettable' and whining doesn't get one's way, as well as the sciences of bribery of unrelated African nations and funneling much needed restructuring and aid money into whaling. And who can forget the science needed to test the mercury levels in children the meat is force-fed to when no one else wants it?

Japan conducts all this science and then some! Why else would it be 'necessary' for them to break their promise to the world on whaling? They've got the loophole thing down to a science, and the whining even moreso when the world calls their bluff.

So why the Japanese is not respecting the IJC ruling?

So why the Japanese is not respecting the IJC ruling?

What do you mean? They are respecting it. Maybe you should read the ruling.

gokai: "It was the western nations that depleted whales, not Japan. But now they make it look like it is all Japan's fault."

Classic! Japan is always the victim despite them being the ONLY nation going whaling outside its own waters under the guise of science, then falling back on the 'ancient history of whaling culture' when it is forced to admit the science is a lie.

A lot of Japanese use this argument when it comes to pointing out Japan's help in overfishing and depleting whale and other marine stocks, the best example being blue-fin tuna, where Japan imports and consumes some 87% or so of the world's tuna but people blame the near extinction on 'Western nations' because it's "Japan's tradition (and somehow theirs alone) to eat tuna!". The difference there being, of course, they don't pretend its science nor do they let it rot in freezers as with the pointless whaling 'culture'.

The new Japanese culture of whaling is to sit back and whine while collecting government subsidies for a product no one wants. This is a fine example of one of MANY programs the government can cut back on in terms of wasteful spending -- one of Abe's promises, I might add (see my previous comment about promises made here, though).

A lot of Japanese use this argument when it comes to pointing out Japan's help in overfishing and depleting whale and other marine stocks, the best example being blue-fin tuna,

Bad example smith since Minke whales in the southern ocean is abundant. Additionally, bad timing when considering Japan had proposed during the WCPFC meeting just recently to halve the catch of Tuna in the area. Care to ask which country opposed to the idea and her reasoning?

Like others said, I wish Japan would give up whaling in international waters because of the reasons of wasted tax money and lack of demand for the meat. I respect any culture to choose the meat they eat, especially found in their own land/sea. But if people aren't eating it, it seems like a real waste of energy when there are much more important things for the government to spend time and money on.

nigelboy: "Bad example smith since Minke whales in the southern ocean is abundant."

Not a bad example at all, given it was in direct reply to gokai's claim that it's the West's fault the whales are being depleted.

"Additionally, bad timing when considering Japan had proposed during the WCPFC meeting just recently to halve the catch of Tuna in the area."

Except if you take into consideration that is only what they proposed be stopped LOCALLY, with no mention on decreasing imports (so it can be blamed on others, again), but I knew someone would bring that up, so thanks.

"Care to ask which country opposed to the idea and her reasoning?"

Not really, given that the majority of exports head here in the first place, and also since you don't bother to address the 'management details' Japan wants: such as placing additional burdens on Pacific nations while insisting measures taken have as little impact on their long-line fleet as possible, etc.

Back to whaling, though... shame Japan can't live up to its promise. One thing I find amusing, though, is that all of the blind supporters of Japan's whaling program, which was obviously not for science, are not longer trying to defend the lie that the 'science' the program produced was important research, etc. etc. None of you guys can longer try and argue that with a straight face.

My comment above, witih a record 15 down votes:

"It was the western nations that depleted whales, not Japan. But now they make it look like it is all Japan's fault."

Does not relate to whether I support whaling. It says that it is hypotrical to blame Japan for everything. If Japan had true representative government, which it does not (no re-apportionment), there would be no whaling. But Japans government is controled by country bumpkins. This problem is just an example of the lack of true democracy in Japan. Incidentally, whaling is a big waste of tax money and should be stopped. It was the only food after the war, but few people like it.

gokai- you were probably down voted because 'they did it too' or 'they did it worse' are not really popular arguments. (I would hate to see this world if we all just went ahead and broke rules because 'others did it to')

I have personally not seen anyone 'blame' Japan for the depletion of whales, and Japan is not the only country being questioned about current practices, as the article states. Yes, in the past, western countries whaled extensively, but most stopped. I do not see the hypocrisy of asking Japan to stop when being asked by people who did in fact stop. Whether they have legal right to ask Japan to stop or not, I'm not sure as I am no scientist. But like I said I hope they stop because of money and waste.

IWC is a joke, best way is direct action, Ill be giving some more cash to SS, love em or hate them theyre the only group that has proven to actually save whales. if by some small chance japan does manage to restart commercial whaling, the cost in government/taxpayer subsidies (billions yens) will far exceed any profits that whale meat sales generate. So Japan loses anyway you look at it. Japanese bureaucrat and traditions will always trump common sense.

Not a bad example at all, given it was in direct reply to gokai's claim that it's the West's fault the whales are being depleted

It still is a bad example for your so-called "direct reply" did not address the West's initial depletion of the stocks. Additionally, it's a bad example equating the blue fin tuna situation since the Japan does not blame the "west" for depleting it's stocks.

.......more sushi than science!

Yeah, and not very politically astute, either.

Additionally, it's a bad example equating the blue fin tuna situation since the Japan does not blame the "west" for depleting it's stocks.

Hardly representative, I know, but for a laugh; I actually have heard a few people say it is because other countries like sushi now , and have even been told it was China's fault.

Parties including the United States are pushing for the commission to take on a bigger conservation role, given that there is actually little “legal” whaling to control.

And then they'll try to put this to a vote and neither side will have enough votes to push their agendas thru. Same stuff, different day.