Japan ends whaling season early

Feb 18, 2011

The Japanese government has confirmed that is has ended its whaling season in the Southern Ocean early, for the first time in decades. The news follows reports of a temporary suspension earlier this week, and increases hopes that it could lead to an end to Antarctic whaling.

Rachel Smith, Campaign Manager at WSPA Australia, says: “This is one of the most promising signs anti-whalers have seen in years and one which will bring hope to all Australians.”

For 23 years the Japanese have been hunting whales under the guise of “scientific research” and have killed more than 10,000 whales in the Antarctic. Their 2011 quota had earmarked the slaughter of at least another 1000 more. If the whaling season is indeed cut short, hundreds of whales will be spared an inhumane death.

As we await Japan's next move, it is important we keep the pressure up to stop whaling for good. It should not be forgotten that the other whaling nations of Norway and Iceland are currently making preparations for their hunt, aiming to kill 1300 more whales.

“Commercial whaling causes immense suffering no matter where it takes place and which species are targeted. This is an unnecessary and archaic industry that should be consigned to the history books,” says WSPA International’s Marine Mammal Programme Manager, Joanna Toole.

Australians united against whaling

In Canberra on Saturday 12th February, we joined the Justice for Whales rally, alongside a coalition of NGOs campaigning against whaling. The message to the Japanese and Australian Governments was clear as speakers, politicians, NGOs and families came together to show they will not stand for the cruelty of whaling.

In a joint statement released this week, Prime Minister Julie Gillard and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key reaffirmed their opposition to whaling in the Southern Ocean. They reinforced their support for the case against this, which is due to be heard in Australia’s International Court of Justice in May.
 
Australian Environment Minister Tony Burke is also reported to have said that he will not be celebrating until whaling is finished for good.

International collaboration

With the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting again in July, we will continue to call for the fundamental welfare problems of whaling to be addressed.

Alongside the UK Government, we are organising a workshop on whale welfare and ethics for academics and policy makers to be held on 22nd and 23rd March at the Eden Project in Cornwall, UK. At last year’s IWC meeting, the UK’s proposal for this workshop was met by overwhelming support from other countries, including Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, Ecuador, the Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, Costa Rica, India and Brazil.

We’ll keep you updated on the results of this workshop and the opportunities that arise to show your support for an end to whaling.

In the meantime, you can find out more about whaling and our work by clicking here.

Are whales just one of the animals that matter to you?
We are campaigning for a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare. If you want to give all animals around the world a voice you can sign our petition here.