Japanese advocate calls for halt to whale hunt
A senior member of a government review panel set up to advise options after last summer's disastrous season has raised the stakes by openly calling for a halt.
Respected Japanese consumer advocate Hisa Anan rejected any scientific need to kill whales.
''Research whaling has been conducted for more than 20 years now,'' Ms Anan told the ABC through an interpreter in Tokyo. ''I think they've gathered enough scientific data and even if they want more, they can conduct non-lethal research.''
The committee's majority want to continue with the hunt, according to Japanese media reports, but like Ms Anan they are worried about the threat posed by Sea Shepherd.
The mass circulation daily newspaper, Yomiuri Shimbun, said the majority found: ''Research whaling is justified on the basis of an international treaty. It should be continued without yielding to heinous interference.''
Last summer the whaling fleet was forced out of the Southern Ocean after its hunt was restricted by Sea Shepherd harassment.
The Institute of Cetacean Research said its crews were exhausted by the pursuit, which left them with a catch of 172 whales out of a potential 985.
An unnamed Fisheries Agency official said that the prospects of returning were ''extremely gloomy,'' although the government has since stressed that its official policy is unchanged.
Extra pressure is coming from financial losses. The leading business newspaper, Nikkei, said: ''Japanese scientific whaling costs over 3 billion yen ($A35 million) every time, and its deficit is becoming a serious problem.''
Long-term observers of Japanese whaling were unconvinced the powerful agency would be overruled.
''I'm going to give them every chance to reconsider,'' said Mick McIntyre of the group Whales Alive. ''But I'm under no illusions that it's decided.''
Sea Shepherd's leader Paul Watson told the Herald all three of the group's ships would be positioned in Sydney and Fremantle in October.
''We are also looking for a fourth ship," he said. "If they return we will be ready to engage them again.''
Last season, the fleet operated south-east of New Zealand, but if it was to return next summer, it would be the turn of waters south of Australia, meaning closer involvement by the federal government in search and rescue, or monitoring
Media release WA01 11 July 2011
Can the International Whaling Commission (IWC) stamp out corruption and vote buying?
A new proposal is being tabled at this year’s 63rd annual IWC meeting being held in Jersey, Channel Islands, that calls for the IWC to be transparent and more accountable.
The Annual Commission Meeting will run for four days from today, Monday 11 July to Thursday 14 July.
“Its time to stop the corrupt practice of Japan buying votes to support its barbaric practice of whaling. Some African and Caribbean countries have had their votes bought by Japan in exchange for cash. It is an iniquitous practice that must stop now so that we can guarantee a safe future for whales,” says Mick McIntyre, Director of the Australian conservation group Whales Alive, who has been attending IWC meeting since 1993
The UK is putting forward a resolution that calls on the IWC to put in place reforms that would bring the commission’s practices into the 21st century
“There is no other major convention in the world that accepts cash payments for member country payments - The IWC needs to step into the 21st century and be transparent,” McIntyre said.
The International Whaling Commission (IWC) still has a major role to play in protecting whales and this UK proposal is crucial to stop whaling
The 89 country IWC is currently evenly split between pro and anti whaling countries. Japan, Norway and Iceland are the nations practicing whaling, and it is Japan using cash to recruit member countries to vote for their pro whaling stand.
At last years IWC meeting Whales Alive and other NGO’s succeeded in stopping countries overturning the worldwide moratorium on commercial whaling. When a compromise proposal put forward by USA and NZ was defeated.
“At this meeting we have a real chance of putting this convention back on course” said McIntyre
Mick is attending the meeting and is available for interviews. Contact Michael Young, 0410 408 492 http://www.whalesalive.org.au/
May 12th, 2011
Make sure to check out our weblog for all the updated information on how last weekend's training program went! We were even featured in the local Byron paper, The Echo.
Whales Alive and Cape Byron Marine Park conducted a specialised training workshop including classroom and on-water sessions for whale and dolphin watching operators and guides representing the five local dive, kayak and charter companies.
The training was delivered by Olive Andrews, Program Director of Whales Alive, who has 12 years experience delivering similar training workshops for governments and industry in Australia and throughout the Pacific and Caribbean Islands, and Dr Liz Hawkins, Leader of Southern Cross University’s Dolphin Ecology and Acoustics Project, which underpins the management and conservation of dolphins in the CBMP.
“As the 2011 whale season approaches, Whales Alive and Cape Byron Marine Park are working together to maximise public education about the natural history of whales and dolphins and minimise any potential impacts on the animals from tourism activities in The Bay” Ms Andrews said.
Cape Byron Marine Park Manager Andrew Page said “The workshop was run to encourage compliance in light of the growth of the marine mammal tourism industry on the North Coast, but also in response to requests from tourism operators for information about responsible whale watching”.
“We commend the local operators for showing leadership in the regulation of their own industry and advancing their knowledge of marine mammals. Byron is one of the better examples in the industry of whale watching operators working in collaboration with scientists and government agencies” said Ms Andrews.
“In other parts of Australia, tourism activities have been linked to decreased reproductive success of the animals so it’s important we comply with whale and dolphin watching regulations, which are designed to allow the animals space to conduct behaviours critical to their survival like feeding, breeding and resting” said Dr Hawkins.
Whales Alive will be partnering with Marine Parks again in June to offer a free public presentation about the biology and conservation of marine mammals to the Byron Bay public.
Stay tuned to our website and blog for more details.
And thanks to all of our wonderful participants!
Fakaalofa atu all,
Niue Whale Research Project team have just returned from a challenging field season in Niue which was a series of extreme highs and lows for our little team. Fiafia, Vanessa, Cara and Ben were tirelessly stalwart and managed to keep their leader in good humour throughout the setbacks. THANK YOU GUYS!
Quiet whales: In addition to working from many different boats, the whales were very few, and the conditions averaging 20knots and over with 2m swell. The humpbacks that did come through were very skittish and 2 out of 3 were rounding out instead of fluking! We were only able to complete half of the line transect survey but I think it’s miraculous that we did achieve 130 miles of track lines in the conditions and with half the boat hours.
Whale stats: In total, over 6 weeks, we saw 45 humpbacks including vessel and land observations. Of these there were 3 cow/calf pods. We got 18 individual fluke ID’s, 3 sloughed skin samples, and 21 song recordings notably with a distinct song change brought by one individual we called Mr Curly.
Headlines: We documented a new cetacean species for Niue when we had a very interesting encounter with 2 Sei whales 12 miles off shore near a sea mount. Photos attached. We also recorded the first sighting of a live sperm whale in Niue (only sighting was a standing event many years ago).
Public Education: The team did multiple presentations on marine mammal biology and natural history to both the primary and high schools and got senior biology students on the water with the researchers. We also did weekly public presentations to locals and yachties at different venues. The highlight of this season was the Oma Tafua` (treasured whales) show case. Attended by 200 people and raising $1500, the night was opened by a breaching humpback in the sunset in front of the venue, Matavai Resort. Dozens of traditional dance and music groups from all around the island performed stories and songs about whales and the team presented the Fisheries Minister Pokotoa with the SPWRC award for leadership in marine mammal protection from Ocean Voices. The whole event was televised nationally multiple times. Pics attached.
Media: We did weekly interviews with BCN broadcast on national news and introduced 2 whale films, What to do About Whales and The Humpback Code.
Thank you Volunteers and sponsors!
So despite the setbacks the project was very successful in achieving most of its aims and we look forward to going back to ‘The Rock’ of Polynesia in 2011.
Koe kia and Monuina
Olive
<;))>< <;))>< <;))><
Olive Andrews
Program Director, Whales Alive
Project Leader, Niue Whale Research
The moratorium on commercial whaling remains in place today as the member countries of the IWC rejected a compromise whaling proposal that would have allowed a return to commercial whaling. “This deal was nothing but a 10 year free for all for the whalers. It is now dead,” said Mick McIntyre, director of the Sydney based conservation group Whales Alive.
Two years of secret discussions followed by another day and a half of secret Commissioners’ negotiations at the 62nd meeting of the IWC in Agadir ended with the proposal not getting enough support.
“This is a great victory for the whales,” says McIntyre
“Had this compromise agreement been approved by the IWC, not only would the 25-year-old moratorium on whaling have been lifted, but the illegal and immoral activities of Japan, Norway and Iceland would have received the stamp of approval from the IWC,” McIntyre said today from Agadir.
The IWC will now be looking at a number of conservation initiatives.
“We must work towards the IWC being a conservation driven convention.” McIntyre said
The whaling deal is Dead! Long Live the Moratorium!
Mick McIntyre has attended every meeting of the IWC as an observer since 1993.
Media release 00/01
17 June 2010
A proposal due to be considered at the 62nd annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) next week would effectively lift the moratorium on commercial whaling. This would take us back to the dark days of commercial whaling, says Mick McIntyre, Director of Whales Alive.
“It is time that the IWC started protecting whales and not the whaling industry,” he said.
An IWC moratorium on commercial whaling has been in place since 1986. However Japan has successfully exploited a loophole in this ban to carry on its spurious so-called ‘scientific’ whaling program.
Since 1986 Japan, Norway and Iceland have slaughtered 35,000 whales.
“Governments are being asked to consider this new proposal which would legitimise whaling and give the whalers everything they could wish for and would see whales cruelly butchered on Australia’s doorstep in the IWC whale sanctuary in the Southern Ocean. It is incomprehensible that the member nations of the IWC would allow this proposal to succeed,” Mr McIntyre said today as he left Sydney today to attend the IWC meeting in Agadir.
“In return all Japan need do is agree to an IWC monitoring program. There is no long-term commitment to phase out whaling. The slaughter will continue unabated. Accepting this proposal would be a tragic day for whales and everything Australians believe in,” said Mr McIntyre.
Recently the Australian government has taken Japan to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague in a bid to stop it from using the legal loophole to whale in the Southern Ocean. According to documents submitted by Australia to the ICJ, Japan is allegedly breaching the 1986 moratorium on commercial whaling under the guise of scientific research.
Mick McIntyre is the director of the Australian conservation group, Whales Alive a non-profit organisation dedicated to the protection and celebration of Whales and their fragile marine habitat. He has attended every IWC meeting as an observer since 1993.
McIntyre is available for comment on a daily basis direct from the IWC meeting in Agadir, Morocco which runs from June 21 – June 25.
www.whalesalive.org.au
Japanese Whalers to be Prosecuted
“For years Japan has exploited a loophole at the IWC which has allowed it to continue the barbaric and inhumane slaughter of these magnificent creatures in the Southern Ocean under its so-called spurious ‘scientific whaling program’, which in reality is commercial whaling. Japan will at last be called to account for its outrageous behavior,” said McIntyre.
“Action needed to be taken outside the IWC which was gridlocked on this issue, “said Macintyre.
The Australian Labour Party went to the electorate in 2007 with a promise to take Japan to court to end whaling, a promise which is now fulfilling.
“Japan has shown a lack of good faith in stopping this barbaric practice and the Australian Government knows that Australians do not want to see any more images of Japanese whalers in action, such as we saw in 2008 when photos were published of a minke whale and its calf being hauled aboard a Japanese whaler,” said McIntyre.
Whales Alive applauds this move by the Australian Government to bring Japan to the International Court of Justice to account for its behavior.
Mick McIntyre has attended every International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting since 1993 and will be attending this year’s meeting in June at Agadir, Morocco.
STEPHEN SMITH MP
Minister for Foreign Affairs
PETER GARRETT MP
Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts
ROBERT McCLELLAND MP
Attorney-General
28 May 2010
GOVERNMENT INITIATES LEGAL ACTION AGAINST JAPANESE WHALING
Australia will initiate legal action in the International Court of Justice in The Hague against Japanese ‘scientific’ whaling in the Southern Ocean.
The decision underlines the Government’s commitment to bring to an end Japan’s program of so-called ‘scientific’ whaling in the Southern Ocean. It also demonstrates our commitment to do what it takes to end whaling globally.
The Australian Government has not taken this decision lightly. We have been patient and committed in our efforts to find a diplomatic resolution to this issue. We have engaged in intensive discussions in the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and bilaterally with Japan.
We have enjoyed the support of many other IWC members who share Australia's concerns and goals. We commend countries of the European Union, the Buenos Aires group of Latin American countries, and others who have joined with Australia in highlighting, in particular, the necessity for phasing out whaling in the Southern Ocean Sanctuary.
But to date, the response of the whaling countries has not been positive. Recent statements by whaling countries in the Commission have provided Australia with little cause for hope that our serious commitment to conservation of the world’s whales will be reflected in any potential IWC compromise agreement.
The Government has always been firm in our resolve that if we could not find a diplomatic resolution to our differences over this issue, we would pursue legal action. The Government’s action fulfils that commitment.
Australia will remain closely engaged in the IWC process and will continue to work hard in the lead up to and at the IWC meeting in June to pursue our objectives While an outcome at that meeting which meets Australia’s fundamental conservation objectives is slim, the Government will continue to engage constructively in the diplomatic effort.
Australia and Japan share a comprehensive strategic, security and economic partnership. We share a substantial commercial relationship built over many decades, growing strategic and security linkages, and work together closely in key international forums such as the G20, the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation and APEC.
The Government’s action today reflects a disagreement in one element of a relationship that is deep, broad and multi-dimensional.
Both Australia and Japan have agreed that, whatever our differences on whaling, this issue should not be allowed to jeopardise the strength and the growth of our bilateral relationship.
At the same time, the Australian Government will keep working tirelessly to achieve an end to whaling in the Southern Ocean, and we will use all legal and diplomatic avenues to achieve our goal.
A formal application will be lodged in The Hague early next week.
<<MR-Whaling legal 280510.pdf>>
Ben Pratt
Press Secretary
Office of Peter Garrett MP
Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts
ben.pratt@environment.gov.au
Ph. 02 6277 7640
Mob. 0419 968 734
JOINT LETTER TO ENVIRONMENT MINISTER PETER GARRETT
10 February 2010
The Hon Peter Garrett MP
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts
PO Box 6022
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Cc: The Hon Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister.
Dear Minister Garrett,
Australia’s role in the current IWC negotiations
We are writing to ask that the Australian Government clarify its position with regards to the current IWC negotiations and to request at this important time that more ongoing consultation occur with Australian environment groups on the issue of whaling.
IWC Support Group discussion have been held behind closed doors (including in the absence of NGO observers), but a recent statement by the Chairman of the IWC, Cristian Maquieira, and, in particular, media reports appear to indicate that the Japanese Government is gaining the upper hand in current negotiations.
Environment groups recognise that the Australian Government has for many years acted as the strongest advocate for an end to commercial whaling in all its guises including Japanese “scientific” whaling and we have supported the Government’s position at IWC meetings and the SORP initiative.
We appreciate that there may be increasing pressure on the Australian Government from countries that have previously expressed an anti-whaling position. As these countries retreat from a strong position it remains more important than ever that the Australian Government remain committed to realising an end to all forms of commercial whaling in the near future.
Consistent with its overall policy of opposition to all forms of commercial whaling, can you confirm that the Australian Government will oppose and vote against any package that provides for the continuation of commercial whaling and international trade in whale products. This includes any package that would allow any form of whaling in the Southern Ocean, and/or any agreement that might legitimise “scientific” whaling by negotiating a reduced catch such as been reported in the media. We also seek your confirmation that the Australian Government would not accept introduction of a new commercial whaling category for ‘coastal’ whaling as part of a negotiated compromise reached within the IWC, and will call on the whaling nations to lift their reservations to the Appendix I listing of whales on CITES
Our organisations have been encouraged by recent statements from the Prime Minister and other ministers which have appeared to place a deadline on a decision on moving forward with an international court case against Japan’s scientific whaling programs. If such a case has good prospects, may we make it clear that only a complete cessation of all scientific whaling programs would in our view warrant a decision against moving forward with it.
Finally, it has been four months since the last Cetaceans Roundtable meeting. A number of us have requested Government staff call another Roundtable meeting over the past few months but have not received a positive response.
Without ongoing engagement and updates from the Government it is difficult for environment groups to understand what action the Government is taking towards realising an end to all commercial whaling in all its guises.
Sincerely,
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Nicola Beynon Senior Program Manager Humane Society International
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Mike Bossley Australian Director Whales and Dolphin Conservation Society
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Pam Eiser President Project Jonah Australia
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Darren Kindleysides Director Australian Marine Conservation Society
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Erica Martin Director IFAW Asia Pacific
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Mick Mcintyre Director Whales Alive
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Emily Reeves Programs Manager WSPA Australia
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Reece Turner Whales Campaigner Greenpeace Australia Pacific
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http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/25/2830586.htm
Thursday 25th February
The Federal Government says it wants whaling in the Southern Ocean to be phased out over the next five years and for all whaling to be brought under the control of the International Whaling Commission (IWC).
An Australian proposal which has been submitted to the IWC also calls for other whaling programs to be phased out over a reasonable period of time.
Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett says a proposal released by the IWC's working group earlier this week falls well short of any outcome the Australian Government could accept.
Conservation groups have welcomed the Government's proposal, which demands closure of the loophole that allows Japan to conduct so-called scientific whaling in the Southern Ocean.
The proposal also calls for an end to whaling in sanctuaries.
Mick McIntyre from Whales Alive says Australia's proposal is a good step, but it must be emphatic in its demand to stop - not just phase out - the inhumane practice.
"It's great to see that the Australian Government has rejected the original proposal from the IWC, which would have effectively lifted the moratorium on commercial whaling," he said.
"And although short in detail, it's heading much more in the right direction for stopping whaling."
But the Federal Opposition says the Government has given Japan the green light to continue whaling in Antarctic waters.
The Opposition's environment spokesman, Greg Hunt, says the Government has broken its election promise to stop whaling.
"Mr Garrett's proposal is a white flag which gives a green light to Japan to continue slaughtering whales in our waters for the next five years, and to continue slaughtering whales infinitely," he said.
'Extremely regrettable'
But the proposal has angered Japan, who again defended their whaling program.
"It is extremely regrettable that such a proposal was made," said State Secretary of Foreign Affairs Koichi Takemasa, Japan's number-two diplomat after the foreign minister.
Japanese officials stressed the legitimacy of their "research" whaling, conducted using a loophole in an international moratorium.
"It is a legitimate activity based on an international treaty," Senior Vice Minister of Agriculture Akira Gunji said.
"We have to work hard so that the whaling issue will not affect the friendly Japan-Australia relations."
Tensions flared last week when Prime Minister Kevin Rudd bluntly warned Japan it had until November to reduce its whale catch to zero, or face action in the ICJ.
On a visit to Australia at the weekend, Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada described the ultimatum as "unfortunate", but said his country would meet any challenge head-on and seek to prove its activities were legal.
Australia, along with New Zealand, has consistently opposed Japan's killing of hundreds of whales each year under a loophole that allows "lethal research".
- ABC/AFP
Monday December 14th, 2009
Australia's prime minister threatened legal action against Japan on Friday if it does not stop its research whaling program that kills up to 1,000 whales a year.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's comments came as the Australian Broadcasting Corp. quoted Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada as saying in an interview that Japan has no plans to halt its killing of whales in the Antarctic.
"We don't accept Japan's premise for those terms of so-called scientific whaling," Rudd told Australia's Fairfax Radio Network. "If we cannot resolve this matter diplomatically, we will take international legal action. I've said that before — I'm serious about it."
Australian's want to see an end to this barbaric madness and they want their government to lead the way. Lets make sure Rudd keeps his promise!
![[20080416_whaling.jpg]](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pT7WOTp8zqk/Sya9Egn1frI/AAAAAAAAAA8/kAZAOpZqTRs/s1600/20080416_whaling.jpg)
Photo Courtesy: AFP
Governor of Connecticut declares October 24th Dr. Robbins Barstow day in the state of Connecticut
read the governor's proclamation at http://cea.org/newsinfo/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=16162
Whales Alive would like to join with colleagues all around the world and pay tribute to a hero of the whale conservation movement Dr Robbins Barstow who is 90 years young on October 24th 2009.
Aside from being a life-long amateur filmmaker and a social justice activist Robbins is best known for his dedication to the Save the Whales Movement. In 1974, he co-founded what was then named the Connecticut Cetacean Society.
Robbins successfully lobbied the tehn Governor of Conneticut to proclaim May 2nd and 3rd, 1974 as “Connecticut Save the Whale Days” and he was instrumental in getting the sperm whale named as Connecticut’s state animal.
In the 1980s, Connecticut Cetacean Society changed its name to Cetacean Society International (CSI) to reflect the group’s growing impact on whale-related conservation issues around the world. In recognition of CSI’s work, in 1988, the United Nations Environment Program named the group to its Global 500 Roll of Honor. (please see website http://csiwhalesalive.org/)
Robbins served on four occasions as a member of the US delegation to the International Whaling Commission (IWC). He was present the year the IWC adopted the global moratorium on commercial whaling, and has had a huge influence on the conservation movement engaged with the Commission since. Robbins championed the issues of ethics with respect to whales and challenged the conservation community to become protectionist in their stance. His compassion for whales was only matched by his compassion for people.
In 1983, he helped organized the Whales Alive!Conference, which was co-sponsored by CSI, the US government and the IWC. The conference, held in Boston, was the first global meeting to address whale watching and its economic benefits. While many people only see the Save the Whales movement as “anti-whaling”, Robbins has always sought to promote the positive aspects of whales, and to offer former whaling countries an alternative that could help offset any socio-economic losses due to the whaling ban. He was a visionary leader on the issues
Robbins still serves as Director Emeritus of the Cetacean Society International. His courage, wit, warmth and hard-work ethic are cherished by all those fortunate enough to know him or just to have met him
Weblog and news
Program Director, Olive Andrews and Scientific advisor Dr. Liz Hawkins are attending this conference, which brings together some 1500 researchers and students from around the world. It provides an opportunity to present recent findings, and to discuss approaches to improve conservation efforts for these large mammals that are also of significant interest to the public.
The science presentations will touch on several themes including behaviour, physiology, genetics, distribution and abundance, as well as, communication and evolution. Several presentations will also look at contaminants, health concerns and the impacts of different human interactions. Scientists will also debate conservation measures and regulations that contribute to the protection of these ocean giants.
for more information on the conference visit www.marinemammalscience.org, under Conference.
