Japan Backs Down from Hunting Humpbacks

Barrett808

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Dec-21-07 11:54 AM
Original message

Japan Backs Down from Hunting Humpbacks

Source: VOA

Japan Backs Down from Hunting Humpbacks
By Heda Bayron
Hong Kong
21 December 2007

Japan has backed down from a highly controversial plan to hunt endangered humpback whales off Antarctica, after fierce criticism by Australia. The Japanese whaling fleet, however, still plans to hunt almost 1,000 whales this season. VOA's Heda Bayron reports from our Asia News Center in Hong Kong.

Japan's decision Friday will save 50 humpback whales that Japanese whalers had planned to catch and kill in Antarctic waters.

Environmental group Greenpeace welcomed the decision, but the Japanese whaling fleet is still planning to catch around a 1,000 minke and fin whales - its largest catch ever - for what the government calls "scientific research."

Japan has been under pressure from conservation groups, the United States, Australia and New Zealand not to hunt humpback whales - which are considered near extinction.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

LakeSamish706

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Dec-21-07 11:57 AM
Response to Original message

1. I wish someone would make them back down from hunting whales, period. n/t

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

David Zephyr

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Dec-21-07 01:33 PM
Response to Original message

2. K&R. This needs to be read by everyone at the DU. Not a small incident.

This is a much bigger story around the world than here in the U.S. That's sad.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Barrett808

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Dec-21-07 01:42 PM
Response to Reply #2

3. As much as I abhor their position, Japan is confronting the ocean management issue

At some point in the near future, we will have to curtail severely our exploitation of the oceans, if there are to be living oceans for our descendants.

Japan is one of the first nations to stake out its share explicitly. Maybe they'll be willing to give up whaling for a greater portion of remaining marine resources.

Allocation of drastically restricted fishing licenses must be done equitably, as poorer nations will suffer disproportionately when inputs of marine protein are cut. On the upside, wealth can be generated by habitat restoration, and takes of recovered fish populations can be increased on fairly short timescales (years, not decades).

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Bonobo

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Dec-21-07 01:45 PM
Response to Reply #3

4. What? The evil, bloodthisty vampirrhic Japanese are confronting ocean management?

But they're eeeeeeeevuhl!

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

David Zephyr

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Dec-21-07 01:52 PM
Response to Reply #3

5. So true and whaling undermines it all.

I wish there was more international news here in the U.S. Thank goodness for the internet.

I hope to kick up and recommend more international news stories here at the DU in the future.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

BrklynLiberal

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Dec-21-07 02:07 PM
Response to Original message

6. "scientific research"???????????? Riiiiight. Like Mengeles did in the camps.

What a crock of crapola...they are going to sell the meat FOR PROFIT after their "scientific research".

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

DU AdBot (1000+ posts)

Mon May 06th 2024, 06:57 AM
Response to Original message

Advertisements [?]

Top

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.