Whaling ban 'bought off by the Japanese'

[Rose Siding]

The resumption of commercial whaling for the first time in almost 20 years could come a step closer this week amid concerns that Japan has "bought" enough votes to overturn an international ban on hunting.

The annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC),in Sorrento, Italy, promises to be among the most contentious ever. The build-up has been dominated by fears that Japan may finally be able to secure a majority of countries prepared to overturn the moratorium on commercial whaling, in effect since 1986.

The IWC comprises 55 members, though not all of them vote, and Japan may need as few as 23 votes to carry the day. Last year, its resolution on hunting minke whales drew 19 votes in favour.
...
Japan kills more than 600 whales a year in the name of scientific research at present, using an IWC loophole.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/environment/story.jsp?story=540005

[jeff30997]

1. Scientific research my ass !!!

[truthisfreedom]

2. what unique thing is it that whales have that the Japanese want?

isn't there some kind of substitute for almost everything you can get from a whale?

[Chicago Democrat]

5. Bohunka...Whale Anus is a delicacy.

They eat it, raw I think... ONE GIANT WHALE, and they eat the ANUS. The rest of it is sold in little shops. They eat everything that comes from the sea. The Japanese are primarily responsible for the overfishing of species after species. The Japanese eat more wild seafood than anyone. THEY NEED TO BE STOPPED.

[pinniped]

7. Exactly!- THEY NEED TO BE STOPPED

They also have a penchant for killing dolphins and porpoises.

Where's Moby Dick and the giant sea kracken when you need them?

[chenGOD]

10. I call bullshit.

Check out the eastern coast of Canada for a place that's responsible for overfishing. Seen many fisheries in Eastern Canada lately? That's cause there aren't any left!!

There are lots of minke whales. Now, this doesn't mean that they should be given license to hunt them to extinction, or even endagerment (they're not on the endagered species list), however, they should be allowed to hunt them within reason.

Also factors such as a declining krill population should be taken into large account.

[hightime]

3. Superstitious fools will kill the last albino tiger

if they think it will make their little dicks one centimeter longer.

[quaoar]

4. Expect Japanese troops in Iraq

And the U.S. to vote against the whaling ban.
Wouldn't surprise me a bit.

This is why Greenpeace ships need torpedos.

[pinniped]

6. If the US has a vote on the matter we now know what...

idiot * promised Japan in exchange for troops. * is probably engaged in a little arm twisting.

The * appointee if he/she is one will probably abstain from voting on this.

Commercial whaling is barbaric and disgusting. So-called scientifc whaling is also barbaric and disgusting but I don't think there's much of a difference.

[dusty64]

8. Lovely.

Isn't it grand to be hurtling headlong back into the 18th century.

[AngryAmish]

9. There are lots of Minke whales

They eat other creatures also. There is a lot of romance and anthromorphism tied up in whales. The Japanese case is a lot better than it seems on the surface.

[blindpig]

11. romance & anthropomorphism

true, but there is also a strong body of opinion that cetaceans are sentient. If that possibility exist they should not be hunted for any porpoise.