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Japan says smaller whaling catch 'regrettable'
Tokyo (AFP) April 14, 2008 Japan said Monday it was "regrettable" that its whaling fleet had killed little more than half its intended catch of almost 1,000 whales in the Antarctic due to harassment by activists. The fleet is set to return to port on Tuesday after killing about 550 whales during a five-month voyage, officials at the fishery agency said. Japan, which says whaling is part of its culture, had aimed to kill 850 minke whales and 50 fin whales on its annual hunt. It dropped an original plan to kill up to 50 humpbacks after coming under international pressure. "It is truly regrettable that we could not carry out the project as planned," said Toshiro Shirasu, vice minister at the agriculture ministry. He added, however, that the government would continue to catch the giant mammals for research. The 8,044-tonne Nisshin Maru mother ship is scheduled to dock in Tokyo on Tuesday morning, while the five other fleet vessels will dock at various ports in the capital and western Japan. The total catch for the year came to 551 minke whales with no fin whales "as a series of offshore protests prevented the fleet from achieving its initial goal," said Shigeki Takaya, a fishery agency official. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society -- whose militant protest ship was involved in a series of high-seas clashes with the Japanese fleet -- has said that its campaign saved 500 whales. Sea Shepherd tried to physically stop Japan's whaling in the Antarctic, throwing what it described as stink bombs filled with rancid butter onto the decks of whalers. Japan says the bombs contained acid that stings the eyes. In January, the group also sent two protesters to board a whaling factory ship, sparking a two-day standoff. Japanese authorities plan to inspect the ships and question the crew following the incidents. "On-site inspection is scheduled (for Tuesday) in connection with the protests," another fishery agency official said. Greenpeace Japan said the environmental group had no plan to stage a rally to mark the fleet's return but would issue a statement of protest against Japan's whaling. Japan kills whales using a loophole in a 1986 whaling moratorium that allows "lethal research" on the giant mammals despite protests led by Australia. Only Norway and Iceland defy the moratorium outright. Australia has stepped up pressure on Japan since Prime Minister Kevin Rudd took office in December, sending a customs vessel to monitor the Antarctic hunt and gather evidence for a possible court case against whaling. Canberra caused a stir when it released grisly footage caught by the customs vessel of whales being killed. The captain of the Sea Shepherd ship said last month he was shot in a high-seas clash with the whalers although Japanese officials insisted only warning devices were fired. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Follow the Whaling Debate
Dolphin rescues stranded whales: conservation official
Wellington (AFP) March 12, 2008A dolphin guided two stranded whales to safety after human attempts to keep the animals off a New Zealand beach failed, a conservation official said Wednesday. |
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