Kristopher Hilbert / 11:51 AM / 03.05.08 / Pollution / 8
The fight of the legality of whaling is still going strong. On Monday Japan invited many developing nations to join them at the International Whaling Commission meetings. Some of the nations invited are members of the IWC but some are not. For much of the past the IWC has been controlled by conservationists who have all but outlawed whaling. However, if recent years pro-whaling nations have gotten the upper hand, repealing many laws and restrictions on whaling. Last years meeting saw another reversal as the anti-whaling bloc gained control again. Now Japan fears they might lose all whaling rights unless they gain control again.
The official IWC meeting is to take place on Thursday but the Monday seminar began with bitter words. Japan expressed harsh disagreement with the conservationist group and Australian government. Japan even went as far as the call the Sea Shepard Conservation Society “terrorists.” Both sides now fear that the other will gain power. Many anti-whaling nations worry that Japan will convince small developing nations to join their side in exchange for economic incentives. Japan believes that the IWC is making decisions on emotion rather than science. While the opposition believes Japan is basing their decisions on economics.
I will continue to try and cover this story as it unfolds. I’m extremely interested to see what is laid on the table as far as resolutions. The IWC has not been this heated in years. Due to the recent killings of many whales by Japan and the extremely public disagreement by Australia, whaling is an important current global issue. As humans continue to invade the homes and livelihoods of these creatures, their lives are being drastically changed. The populations of these whales do not need to be regulated. Whaling can only create problems. If whales continue to be killed then the whales that produce more offspring will survive (genetically). This could cause a future population increase that would require humans to control it. Humans tend to like to put their fingers where they don’t belong.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7275154.stm
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