Whale hunting
It was reported that three countries were commercially hunting whales, considered the largest aquatic species. Only three countries were hunting whales commercially: Norway, Iceland and Japan. Japan’s whale hunting was estimated to have begun in the 12th century. Through the research, it was reported that from the 1890s, Japan started modern whale hunting which different countries have also participated. On this background, it was reported that Japan continued its commercial whale hunting from the 20th century. It was hampered after the formation of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in the year of 1986. The organisation provide permission to catch whales for only scientific purposes. However, in the year 2019, Japan withdrew from IWC and continued commercial whale hunting.
Japan’s Controversial Whale Hunting
In this contest, it was reported that Japan’s fishermen were sailing into the sea for commercial hunting after the controversial withdrawal from the IWC. Japan continued to hunt minke, Bryde’s and sei whales. Through past reports, it was observed that in 2019, five Kushiro vessels together killed around 227 whales.
This includes 52 minkes, 150 Bryde’s and 25 sei whales. For which the country faces international criticism from environmentalists and anti-whaling countries. On the other hand, the whaling officials were in a celebratory mood. Additionally, it was reported that Japan had faced international criticism for using the clause of IWC’s 1986 moratorium. They claim to hunt whales for “research” in the Antarctic. In the opposite case, they sell the whale meat in the open market and cover their commercial whaling.
Japan nod to hunt endangered species fin whale.
The scientific name of fin whales is Balaenoptera physalus. The name whale came from Latin. On the other hand, the word fin belongs to the Greek language. The meaning of this work is expressing the ability of it to blow water over 6 meters into the air. In the IUCN Red List fin whales were listed as vulnerable list. Therefore, from 1996 to 2018, it was classified as an endangered species, which means that the species is still recovering and partially recovered.
Through the research, it was reported that only in the Southern Hemisphere alone people killed around 700000 fin whales between 1900 to 1970s. After this issue faced by this species, the government of Japan provided permission to hunt fin whales which were recognised as the second largest species in the world. This decision was criticised by Australia’s government. The government give permission to the fisheries agency to hunt 59 fin whales this month. As per the agriculture minister Tetsushi Sakamoto of Japan, Whales were considered “an important food resource”.
The reason for the increased demand for whale meat in Japan as for Kyodo Senpaku’s promotion campaign. Due to this, whale meat was famous in the dinner of new generations. To influence young generations to consume whale meat Tokoro claim that it has health benefits and is able to reduce hair loss or capable to cure cancer. As for this, through the years, it was understood that Japan never gave up on its whaling ambitions. Through the research, it was reported that Japan continues its commercial whale hunting in territorial water or in exclusive economic zones. Moreover, the country in the last year killed 294 whales.
The environmental minister of Australia “Tanya Plibersek” was “deeply disappointed”. In this context, the government of Australia urged all the countries to stop this practice. In this contest, it was reported that whales are efficient in recycling tons of nutrients into the environment which were effective in improving plant life growth. For which most of the activities were strongly opposed against whale hunting. As for this, the whole world criticised the three countries which were active participants in commercial whaling: Norway, Iceland and Japan.
