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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Nations Mull Secret Whaling Compromise

Plan would let Japan hunt legally, but decrease slaughter

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(Newser) – Representatives from more than 70 governments gathered last week at a secret meeting in London to hash out a compromise that would allow Japan to resume commercial whaling for the first time in more than 20 years. Pro- and anti-whaling nations discussed plans to lift the worldwide ban on whaling, but not without raising the ire of environmentalists, the Independent says.

Japan, which kills more than 1,000 whales yearly and sells the meat, frames its expeditions as scientific research. But skirmishes with activists have escalated, and last week one group threw mild acid at Japan's whaling fleet in the Antarctic. Under the plan, Japan would halt its Antarctic missions, but critics say the compromise is unenforceable and doesn’t offer a lasting solution.

Controversial plans to lift the worldwide ban on whaling were presented to a secret meeting of more than 70 governments in London last week. The plans, which have alarmed environmentalists, have been welcomed by both pro- and anti-whaling governments and seek to lift a long stalemate over hunting, enabling Japan...
Controversial plans to lift the worldwide ban on whaling were presented to a secret meeting of more than 70 governments in London last week. The plans, which have alarmed environmentalists, have been...   (Getty Images)
Controversial plans to lift the worldwide ban on whaling were presented to a secret meeting of more than 70 governments in London last week. The plans, which have alarmed environmentalists, have been welcomed by both pro- and anti-whaling governments and seek to lift a long stalemate over hunting, enabling Japan...
Controversial plans to lift the worldwide ban on whaling were presented to a secret meeting of more than 70 governments in London last week. The plans, which have alarmed environmentalists, have been...   (Getty Images)
In this photo released by The Institute of Cetacean Research, Japan Coast Guard official stands guard on a Japanese whaling ship as activists aboard a boat operated by Sea Shepherd approaches in Antarctic waters Monday, March 3, 2008. (AP Photo/The Institute of Cetacean Research, HO)
In this photo released by The Institute of Cetacean Research, Japan Coast Guard official stands guard on a Japanese whaling ship as activists aboard a boat operated by Sea Shepherd approaches in Antarctic...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a member of the Japanese coast guard throws sound-emitting
In this photo released by Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a member of the Japanese coast guard throws sound-emitting "warning balls" at the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society anti-whaling vessel, aboard...   (Associated Press)
Controversial plans to lift the worldwide ban on whaling were presented to a secret meeting of more than 70 governments in London last week. The plans, which have alarmed environmentalists, have been welcomed by both pro- and anti-whaling governments and seek to lift a long stalemate over hunting, enabling Japan...
Controversial plans to lift the worldwide ban on whaling were presented to a secret meeting of more than 70 governments in London last week. The plans, which have alarmed environmentalists, have been...   (Associated Press)
In this Sept. 9, 2007 investigation photo provided by the U.S. Attorney's office in Seattle, a harpooned gray whale is shown. Five members of the Makah tribe were indicted by a federal grant jury Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007 and charged with misdemeanor counts in the killing of the whale...
In this Sept. 9, 2007 investigation photo provided by the U.S. Attorney's office in Seattle, a harpooned gray whale is shown. Five members of the Makah tribe were indicted by a federal grant jury Thursday,...   (Associated Press)
Controversial plans to lift the worldwide ban on whaling were presented to a secret meeting of more than 70 governments in London last week. The plans, which have alarmed environmentalists, have been welcomed by both pro- and anti-whaling governments and seek to lift a long stalemate over hunting, enabling Japan...
Controversial plans to lift the worldwide ban on whaling were presented to a secret meeting of more than 70 governments in London last week. The plans, which have alarmed environmentalists, have been...   (Getty Images)
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