Informations about scientific whaling:
Kidzone - Whale and Dolphin Conservation
3500551523
Clear enough for a start?
Kidzone - Whale and Dolphin Conservation
3500551523
Clear enough for a start?
Japan's Scientific Whaling
The general objectives of the Japanese research programme in Antarctica are stated to be to estimate biological parameters for stock management and to elucidate the role of the minke whales in the ecosystem. The determination of age-specific natural mortality rates of minke whales has been the most important specific objective. Determining stock identity and general biological parameters are other important parts of the research.
The main aim of the North Pacific research is to investigate stock identity using genetic studies, measurement of parasite and pollutant burdens, morphometrics and allozmye studies. The Japanese wished to prevent any unnecessary restrictions on catch quotas in their traditional whaling grounds which might arise through inappropriate stock boundaries.
The Japanese Antarctic research programme has faced considerable methodological difficulties which have resulted in the primary focus being changed from estimating age-specific natural mortality, to the less ambitious one of estimating average natural mortality rates. This is for a variety of reasons, including that it has proved impossible to take a truly random sample of whales because of the age and sex segregation of minke whales in both time and space. Large groups of whales have proved easier to sample than small groups or individuals and difficulties with ageing techniques have added to the problems. The confidence which can be placed in any results therefore remains in question. Many of the problems which have been encountered were raised by other scientists on the Scientific Committee during discussions of the research proposals but largely disregarded by the Japanese.
Stock identity studies using genetic techniques have provided valuable information on the populations of whales in both the Antarctic and the North Pacific. However, this information could have been obtained using non-lethal biopsy techniques.
The efforts the Japanese have made to develop their lethal research methodologies are in contrast to the limited effort placed in developing non-lethal alternatives such as biopsy sampling. The higher costs of non-lethal research, where costs cannot be recouped by the sale of products have influenced this.
None of the Japanese research results to date have been used either to improve upon current management plans or to develop new plans. Only the stock identity work, using information from genetic studies, is being used in implementation simulation trials with the Revised Management Plan (RMP), the IWC's current approach to the management of whaling.
Therefore, none of the scientific whaling programmes fulfilled the IWC's criteria. Despite substantive criticisms, many of which have been shown to be valid in retrospect, the research programmes have gone ahead with little modification. The IWC and the Scientific Committee have not taken control of the scientific whaling programmes to ensure their quality. In part this is because the Scientific Committee have been unable to institute mechanisms of review which would be generally considered consistent with good science - those involved in the research are part of the review and thus even basic standards of impartiality are not met.
Illegal trade in whale meat has taken place in the space created by sales of meat from the scientific catch. What the impacts of illegal sale of whale meat on other stocks of whales maybe, or how the research funding is influencing the Japanese research away from non-lethal methods has not been considered during the Scientific Committee's review process.
The efforts the Japanese have made to develop their lethal research methodologies are in contrast to the limited effort placed in developing non-lethal alternatives such as biopsy sampling. The higher costs of non-lethal research, where costs cannot be recouped by the sale of products have influenced this.
What WDCS is doing
WDCS has been actively campaigning against Japanese whaling and trade in whale meat for years, including the following:
Funding undercover investigations, conducting unique opposition research into the whaling industry, and
monitoring Japanese press and government websites on a daily basis.
Working closely with Japanese NGOs to inform the world about Japan's activities, refute its spurious arguments
and debunk its hollow science.
Sending an expert team to all meetings of the International Whaling Commission and CITES where our most
intense and visible effort goes into deploying our scientific, legal and other technical skills to block Japan and influence votes.
Building relationships with governments so that they believe the intelligence we provide is correct and trust our advice.
Providing technical support to like-minded governments seeking specialist legal or scientific input.
Providing financial support to exceptional NGOs in developing countries; for example providing travel costs to enable them to attend meetings with their government officials, and even come to IWC meetings so that they can lobby at first hand and – most importantly - report to the press and public back home to keep leveraging pressure.
Leading and participating in international coalitions of conservation and animal welfare groups so that our collective resources and effort are maximised
Leading public protests against Japanese whaling
Our research and advocacy contribute to discussions and initiatives on benign research techniques (for example to prove that Japan's argument that whales need to be killed to study them - is wrong).
ALTERNATIVES TO LETHAL RESEARCH
Although the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling does contain a provision that allows governments to issue their own lethal research permits, it was written more than 50 years ago, at a time when no practicable alternatives existed. At that time, killing whales was unfortunately the only way to learn some of the most basic biological information, which was then used in setting catch quotas. In the last 50 years, non-lethal techniques have been developed that provide the data required for management much more efficiently and accurately than can lethal sampling.
For example, genetic analysis of small skin samples is now widely used to understand population structure in many mammals, including whales. Recent technical advances in this field have revolutionized genetics and meant that scientists can undertake detailed analyses that were previously impossible, or very cumbersome and expensive. Genetic analyses allow the examination of different whales in different geographic areas, assisting in determining where the boundaries of different whale stocks might be - a critical question in quota management, since in the past whaling nations frequently set high quotas for large areas based on the mistaken belief that the total number of whales in an area were all part of the same population. Genetic samples are generally taken from a live whale using a biopsy dart, and do not require killing or injuring the animal. Biopsy darting is also far more efficient, allowing scientists to acquire large amounts of data from a broader section of the whale population.
Japan also claims it must kill whales to determine what they eat, which they accomplish by studying stomach contents of the dead whales. However, this generally provides nothing more than a snapshot view of the most recently consumed prey, and may not be indicative of the real diet, particularly with whales such as minkes, which consume a broad range of prey items. In contrast, stable isotope analysis from skin samples, again obtained using a biopsy dart on a live whale, provides a long-term view of the whale's diet over a longer time period. Whatever food is consumed has a unique isotopic "signature" reflected in the tissues of the animal consuming the food. This technique has been applied all over the world in studies of other whales.
Japan also claims that lethal research is needed to determine the sex and reproductive condition of whales. Yet sex is easily determined with a biopsy sample, and a recently developed technique also enables scientists to determine pregnancy from such material.
Given these modern techniques in common use in whale science elsewhere in the world, it is very clear that Japan's scientific methods are an anachronism, and nothing more than an excuse to kill whales for the meat market.
Japans research programme is very scientifical and there is nothing illeagal about it. Why dont you go to IWC web page and check it for yourself instead of getting biased info through close minded anti whaling fanatics about IWC and Japans scientific research.
Whaling is by far the most strictly regualted whild hunt there is on this planet. I would welcome other type of wild hunt to be as monitored and scientific as whaling.
It is hard to dicsuss whaling with people who know nothing about it and who are close minded towards other cultures.
Five or six sea animals a month to feed Islanders is a far cry from the 900+ whales Japan wants to harvest for the whole Japanese population."Sometimes people go out and spear five or six when one or two a month should be enough," he said.
THE world population of the Antarctic minke whale, the main species hunted by the Japanese, is half what it was thought to be, after a more accurate analysis of survey numbers.
Five or six sea animals a month to feed Islanders is a far cry from the 900+ whales Japan wants to harvest for the whole Japanese population.
By anyones standards killing five or six animals of any kind a month to feed the locals isn't considered an offense.
James Cook University researcher Ivan Lawler said a university study had concluded that in the Torres Strait, about 100 dugongs a year - 10 per cent of the current harvest - could be taken sustainably.
The number of minke whales killed annually by the Japanese, ostensibly for scientific research, is similar to the number of dugongs killed each year for food in the Torres Strait - about 1000.
Many more dugongs are killed for food - or when drowned in fishing nets or hit by motor boats - elsewhere in northern Australia, and in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
Five or six sea animals a month to feed Islanders is a far cry from the 900+ whales Japan wants to harvest for the whole Japanese population.
I don't know what you are trying to prove. By anyones standards killing five or six animals of any kind a month to feed the locals isn't considered an offense.
Environment Minister Peter Garrett said the dugong was not listed as a threatened species in Australia, and harvesting the sea mammals for traditional food was not comparable to Japan's "industrial" whaling.
THE world population of the Antarctic minke whale, the main species hunted by the Japanese, is half what it was thought to be, after a more accurate analysis of survey numbers.
Anyways, you are acting as if hunting Dugongs is some sort of widespread industrialized practice. The Dugongs are being hunted by island aborigines, this is not some massive government funded operation as is the case with Japan, and the practice was banned by the Australian Government since the 1970s, selling Dugong meat (in Australia) is illegal.
You call Australia a disgrace for this but it's like blaming Canada and America for the actions of Eskimos or S. Americans for the forest tribes actions, it's simply not comparable.
Good lord, look what the cat dragged in. I was wondering how long it would take you two to rise from the dead.
Anyways, you are acting as if hunting Dugongs is some sort of widespread industrialized practice.
But I like how suddenly you two became champions of the Dugong while the whale can still go to hell. Nice.
Five or six sea animals a month to feed Islanders is a far cry from the 900+ whales Japan wants to harvest for the whole Japanese population.
I don't know what you are trying to prove. By anyones standards killing five or six animals of any kind a month to feed the locals isn't considered an offense.
Oh, and the link didn't even work
*rolls eyes*
The IWC scientific committee has given a range of possible reasons for the decline in abundance *estimates*, of which only one possibility is that such a decline is real. And at any rate, there are hundreds of thousands of them.
But, there are only a few hundred thousand of these animals in the world and you are still for the commercial hunting of them despite all evidence that 'sustainable' hunting is rarely ever that and even when Minke whales are regarded as high risk animals for extinction.
Add to that the fact that it has been proven there is very little market for whale meat in Japan, the stores are piling up and the government is actually putting money into the operation to make up for the loss ..... it seems like absolute madness that anyone is rallying for it.
To be honest, I really can't see what you are fighting for.
Japans right to hunt another marine species to the brink of extinction as they have in the past? while at the same time losing money over this 'scientific whaling' and accumulating tons of meat that nobody seems to want and all this just to prove that they 'don't have to listen to what the west says'?
I mean...wow.