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Nations Move to Breach Whaling Ban

Greenies say talks "wave the white flag" to whale killers

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 22, 2009 3:46 PM CST
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(Newser) – Secret government meetings could usher in a new era of legal commercial whaling for the first time in more than 20 years, the Independent reports. Twenty-eight whaling and anti-whaling nations have met twice to reach a compromise on the ban, which came after the near-extinction of many species. Environmentalists say the plan amounts to “waving the white flag” to whaling nations such as Japan.

While the International Whaling Commission has been ineffective for decades, Japan has continued killing whales for "scientific" purposes, though it has also sold whale meat for food. An animal rights advocate called the unpublicized talks "a political fix to give Japan what it wants," but a diplomat leading the negotiations says the "possibly painful" compromise is "eminently practical."

Despite a commercial whaling ban, Japan has continued the practice near Antarctica, by exploiting a loophole in the international law which allows whales to be killed for scientific purposes.
Despite a commercial whaling ban, Japan has continued the practice near Antarctica, by exploiting a loophole in the international law which allows whales to be killed for "scientific" purposes.   (AP Photo/The Institute of Cetacean Research, HO)
Anti-whaling protesters pursue the Japanese whaling ship Nisshin Maru as water cannon is used to blast the conservationists during the clash in frigid Antarctic waters Monday, Feb. 2, 2009.
Anti-whaling protesters pursue the Japanese whaling ship Nisshin Maru as water cannon is used to blast the conservationists during the clash in frigid Antarctic waters Monday, Feb. 2, 2009.   (AP Photo/Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Josh Gunn, HO)
Philippine Coast Guard pass by the carcass of a dead whale in the murky waters of Manila Bay, Philippines, on Tuesday Dec. 30, 2008.
Philippine Coast Guard pass by the carcass of a dead whale in the murky waters of Manila Bay, Philippines, on Tuesday Dec. 30, 2008.   (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Members of Greenpeace stand in protest outside the upper house lawmakers' hall near a parliament building in Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008.
Members of Greenpeace stand in protest outside the upper house lawmakers' hall near a parliament building in Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008.   (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara)
A whale leaps out of the water in what is called breaching, as seen from a whale watching boat operated in the channel off the town of Lahaina on the island of Maui in Hawaii.
A whale leaps out of the water in what is called "breaching," as seen from a whale watching boat operated in the channel off the town of Lahaina on the island of Maui in Hawaii.   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, files)
In this December 4, 2008, file photo, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's flagship, the Steve Irwin, leaves Brisbane, Australia on a voyage to disrupt Japanese whalers in Antarctic waters.
In this December 4, 2008, file photo, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's flagship, the Steve Irwin, leaves Brisbane, Australia on a voyage to disrupt Japanese whalers in Antarctic waters.   (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard, File)
Sea Shepherd crew throw bottles of rotten butter at Japanese whaling vessel Yushin Maru No. 3 while whaling crew fire back with water cannons on Friday, Feb. 6, 2009 in Antarctica.
Sea Shepherd crew throw bottles of rotten butter at Japanese whaling vessel Yushin Maru No. 3 while whaling crew fire back with water cannons on Friday, Feb. 6, 2009 in Antarctica.   (AP Photo/Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Adam Lau, HO)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
Doctor-Zaius
Feb 24, 2009 2:00 AM CST
My post was sarcastic in nature. Your point was my hidden point.
riffran
Feb 23, 2009 6:55 AM CST
I have never understood the asian appetite for endangered or nearly endangered animals....like the Black rhino ect......leave the damn whales alone
woodyTX
Feb 22, 2009 10:23 PM CST
The move is "eminently practical" for all but the whales. I think "made in Japan" articles will be off of my purchase list from here on out. I wish it was as easy as you suggest Mr. C. ...very hard to enforce.

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