08/11/2005
- Australia's Minister for the Environment and Heritage,
Senator Ian Campbell, has called on Japan to abandon its
proposed Southern Ocean scientific whaling program, known
as JARPA II, due to be underway within days.
Senator Campbell said around this time each year, Japanese
ships sailed south for whaling in the Southern Ocean adjacent
to Antarctica.
JARPA II replaces the 18-year JARPA research program with
an even more damaging programme. Under JARPA II, Japan
will double its minke whale catch to 935 this year. Japan
will also take 10 fin whales this year and next year in
what it calls 'feasibility' research.
From 2007-08, Japan will continue to take 935 minke whales,
increase the fin take to 50 and then include 50 humpback
whales annually - all in the name of science.
"This is more than science - these are commercial
quantities of whales," Senator Campbell said.
"Just four months ago, the majority of members of
the International Whaling Commission (IWC) Scientific
Committee expressed serious concerns with all aspects
of the JARPA II proposal and refused to review it until
JARPA had been properly reviewed.
"IWC members then adopted a resolution calling on
Japan to withdraw its proposal for an increase in scientific
whaling.
"But Japan continues to exploit a loophole in the
IWC which allows whales to be killed for 'science'.
"Japan needs to think again. This is not good science
and the numbers cannot be justified. Proceeding with this
action, despite a resolution supported by a majority of
IWC members, undermines its scientific credibility."
Senator Campbell said fin and humpback whales were on
the World Conservation Union's List of Threatened Species.
"Past hunting by a range of whaling nations – including
Australia - pushed these species to the brink of extinction,"
Senator Campbell said.
"Only now are populations starting to rebuild. There
is no agreed data to indicate that endangered fin whale
populations have increased since the cessation of whaling,
and the most recent survey of Antarctic minke whales has
revealed substantially lower numbers than earlier estimates.
Senator Campbell said Australia remained opposed to all
forms of commercial whaling and would continue to fight
for the protection of all whale species. He said Australia
would continue its strong diplomatic efforts to achieve
a global ban on all commercial whaling. |