Replace whaling with whale-watching, urges ecologist

Replace whaling with whale-watching, urges ecologist

Takuya Karube Friday, May 17, 2002 at 09:30 JST TOKYO ? An international animal protection group on Thursday urged that all forms of whaling be abolished and replaced by whale-watching to protect endangered species of the intelligent mammals.

'The whale-watching industry is the epitome of true sustainability,' Christopher Tuite, director of Wildlife and Habitat Protection of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), said at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan in Tokyo.

'The whale-watching industry is booming across the planet with some 87 countries and territories, including Japan, participating,' Tuite said.

'Whale-watching now accounts for more than US$1 billion in tourism revenues and already attracts between 9 and 10 million people each year,' he said, referring to the IFAW's analysis released last year.

The IFAW's Asia Pacific Director Mick McIntyre also stressed that the industry is a truly global one, saying, 'It provides significant benefits to coastal communities around the world.'

'More and more people are reaching out for cameras...not harpoons,' he added.

The organization said there is no scientific evidence to support the Japanese government's claim that increasing numbers of whales threaten global fish stocks.

Japanese officials say there is 'direct competition' between whales and Japan's fishery, comparing a decline in the country's fish harvest over the past 15 years with increasing numbers of whales in the same period.

'Proposals to kill whales to save fish have no basis in science,' said Vassili Papastavrou, a marine biologist with the IFAW.

Other scientists and conservation groups agree, suggesting that human activities such as overfishing and pollution have had a larger impact on fish stocks.

Papastavrou added that Japan's so-called 'research' whaling expeditions are a cover for commercial whaling.

The IFAW said its DNA research for over the last eight years proved that whale species which should be excluded from Japanese whaling expeditions are available in Japanese markets.

'DNA analysis of whale meat on sale in Japan verified that protected species are on sale,' Tuite said.

Japan insists that eating whale meat is an important part of its heritage. Last week at a pro-whaling protest in Tokyo, Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Shunichi Suzuki called efforts by antiwhaling groups to have Japanese people stop eating whales 'cultural imperialism.'

The IFAW previewed three television spots featuring Hollywood actor Pierce Brosnan and said that the organization will try to get more people around the world involved in antiwhaling activities and increase pressure on Japan.

'Commercial whaling is outmoded and has no place in the 21st century,' said Sarah Tyack, the campaign manger for the IFAW's Whale Protection Program.

The IFAW, a leading U.S.-based animal protection group founded in 1969, has about 2 million supporters and 12 offices worldwide.

Asked about expectations of the upcoming general assembly of the International Whaling Commission, Tuite, said, 'I think we are assuming there will be no significant changes. We would like to think that there will be.'

The general assembly will be held May 20-24 in the western Japanese city of Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture. (Kyodo News)

A superb idea.

Another good post. Richard Hayduke Lives! 'In wildness is the preservation of the world' Henry David Thoreau

Wow, how many lies can you fit into one sentence!??!

HAHAHA Come to Kaikoura, and watch the whales - watch them as they die that is

Which is precisely why this whole movement of their's will fail.

Whaling is not a Japanese thing. Whaling is part of many cultures around the world.

No it isn't. IFAW is out moded

Why do you support liars?

I don't support you, debs.

Richard Hayduke Lives! 'Take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.' -Elie Wiesel-

One bad apple doesn't ruin the entire concept. Witht the proper regulation, deaths would be prevented. That is far far better than whaling, which has resulted in far more deaths of whales in one hunting season that whale watching exer has or ever will. What a friggin hypocrit you are debs.

Whaling is a tiny part of a few cultures and will eventually die out. But whaling is big in Japan and needs to be snuffed out there since they do most of the killing.

HAHAHAHAHA. This from neaderthal brain who sees no need for human evolution, and supports any culture except that of anti-whalers and/or animal rightists.

Richard Hayduke Lives! 'If history has taught us anything, it's that an action which is considered extreme by one generation is considered progressive and enlightened by the next. Ecotage is such an action, for the life of the sea is in imminent peril.' Paul Watson

Is it so to understand that a whale watching ship has killed a whale? In that case, I would like to know if that whale died for a reason, or just for entertainment.

Excuse me, but what does it matter how much part of a culture it is? If it does matter, it is part of few cultures, but it is not a tiny part of it. It is much more.

At least I can see one need for human evolution, but I will not tell you where.....

-Håvid A Falch