Updated
The Japanese Government has confirmed it will restart commercial whaling in July, exiting the International Whaling Commission (IWC).
Key points:
- Japan says will restart commercial whaling in its territorial sea and economic zone
- But the country will cease so-called scientific whaling in the Antarctic Ocean and Southern Hemisphere
- The IWC denied Japan’s request to resume commercial whaling in September
It will stop its so-called scientific whaling in the Antarctic Ocean, and only fish in seas near Japan and the country’s exclusive economic zone.
Japan has long been fed up with the deadlock at the IWC, with pro- and anti-whaling nations unable to agree on a way forward for the organisation.
Japan will not be able to continue research whaling in Antarctic waters, because countries that do so are required by the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW) to join the IWC.
“From July 2019, after the withdrawal comes into effect on June 30, Japan will conduct commercial whaling within Japan’s territorial sea and its exclusive economic zone, and will cease the take of whales in the Antarctic Ocean/the Southern Hemisphere,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said.
“Although scientific evidence has confirmed that certain whale species/stocks of whales are abundant, those member states that focus exclusively on the protection of whales, while ignoring the other stated objective of the ICRW, refused to agree to take any tangible steps towards reaching a common position that would ensure the sustainable management of whale resources.”
Mr Suga said that the ICRW — which details the orderly development of the whaling industry — was not taken into account at the IWC’s most recent meeting.
“Quite regrettably, it unveiled the fact that it is not possible in the IWC even to seek the coexistence of states with different views,” he said.
“Consequently, Japan has been led to make its decision.”
Japan says it will participate in IWC talks as an observer.
IWC withdrawal ‘regrettable’
The Australian Government said it was “extremely disappointed” that Japan was withdrawing from the IWC and resuming commercial whaling.
“The IWC plays a crucial role in international cooperation on whale conservation,” Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Environment Minister Melissa Price said in a joint statement.
“[Japan’s] decision to withdraw is regrettable and Australia urges Japan to return to the convention and commission as a matter of priority.
“We acknowledge Japan’s commitment to continue to cooperate with the commission as an observer — this will provide an avenue for Australia and other members of the commission to continue to engage with Japan on whaling.”
The Australian Government welcomed the end of whaling in the Southern Ocean — but said it would continue to oppose all forms of whaling.
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