Harpooning minke whales. Photo by Mark Votierz Hulton/Getty Image Archives. All rights reserved

Japan has just returned from a 3-month whale-hunting “expedition” in the Antarctic, killing 333 minke whales – some 230 were females,  90% of them pregnant – as part of its pseudo-science research program to justify the whale killings. Whale-hunting is conducted by Norway, Iceland, and Japan – and, surprise, hunting pilot whales in the Danish-owned  Faroe Islands is conducted, even though Denmark bans whalehunting.  See the full CNN story and video on Japan.

The whale meat is sold to supermarkets or basically given away — not much science here!

The International Whaling Commission – its signatories include the nations listed above – includes provisions for special whale-hunting permits to allow for scientific research. From CNN: “ In 2014, the United Nation’s International Court of Justice, in a case brought against Japan by Australia and New Zealand, the IWC ordered Japan to halt its whaling program, over concerns of its whaling activities in the Antarctic region. ” After a brief cessation of whaling, Japan has created a new program called NEWRP-A, which is a 12-year research program scheduled to last until 2026 or 2027.”

Court Decrees No More Minke Whaling by Japan

From the IWC: “ It is well documented that IWC member governments have been unable to reach agreement on special permit whaling. In 2010, the Government of Australia (with New Zealand intervening) brought a case against the Government of Japan at the International Court of Justice regarding Japan’s Special Permit program in the Antarctic (known as JARPA II). In March 2014 the court delivered its Judgment. You can read the Judgment and related papers here.

“As a result of the Judgment, the Government of Japan ended the JARPA II programme. The implications of the Judgement were discussed at the IWC Commission meeting in September 2014. Consensus could not be reached but a Resolution was adopted by vote. You can read a report of the discussion in the Chair’s Report of the Meeting here. You can read the Resolution (2014-5) here. “

But the Japanese Have Resumed Their Whaling Activities! 

Men in wetsuits waded out to snare pilot whales and bring them ashore for killing. Scene of the slaughter is the Faroe Islands, part of Denmark. Copyright Mark Wendt/Sea Shepherd Global.

Faroe Islands Killing Pilot Whales

Then we turn to the “happiest” nation on earth, according to a recent study — Denmark. Locals on the Faroe Islands — which are considered part of Denmark — plunged into the waters at Bøur and Tórshavn beaches  in July 24 2015 to slaughter up to 250 pilot whales by stranding them close to shore and then attacking them with knives and blades.   According to a Daily Mail report, “locals dressed in wetsuits wade into the water to kill the stranded whales… using spinal lances to stab them in the neck and back. the annual hunt, known as the grindadráp. The article, photos and a grisly video all available on the Daily Mail web site.

Meet us don’t eat us logo

The International Foundation for Animal Welfare notes that Norway and Iceland continue to hunt minke whales despite the ban. IFAW instituted a campaign in Iceland to promote whale tourism, rather than whale slaughtering for consumption. Learn about the Meet Us Don’t Eat Us” campaign.

Make your views known with this petition to the European Parliament President Martin Schultz, to withhold voting on a new trade agreement with Japan until the Japanese promise to stop hunting minke whales.  Sign the petition.

Stay on top of news about illegal whalehunting in the Antarctic through Sea Shepherd Australia 

From Sea Shepherd Australia’s news portal: “Once again false promises from the Australian and New Zealand governments have resulted in whales being killed illegally in the Australian Whale Sanctuary,” said Sea Shepherd Australia Managing Director, Jeff Hansen. “The majority of Australians wanted the Australian government to send a vessel to oppose the slaughter. They did not. Sea Shepherd requested that the Australian government release the location of the whalers. They refused. Instead, the governments responsible for protecting these magnificent creatures stood by, in the complete knowledge that both federal and international crimes were taking place. This empty response from authorities in the wake of the ICJ ruling is a disgrace,” he said.

It’s time for Japan, Norway, Iceland, and Denmark to STOP WHALING.