U.S. Asks Japan to Stop Killing Whales

Scientists in Japan study whales using lethal force and in the coming days are expected to unveil a proposed program for hunting hundreds more whales in the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica. This doesn't sit well with the United States. Earlier this week, U.S. officials asked Japan to end its program of lethal "scientific" whaling.

Japan began killing whales in the Southern Ocean and North Pacific for "science" in 1987. Currently, Japan sets an annual quota for itself of more than 800 whales, including minke, sei, Brydes, and sperm whales. Once scientists are done with the whales, meat from the hunts is sold in the Japanese marketplace as a delicacy.

U.S. officials have questioned the scientific validity of Japan's research procedures, and have consistently opposed them. U.S. officials believe scientific data can be collected through non-lethal means. There is also concern that killing whales for research could hurt whale populations that are already struggling or could hamper the recovery of populations on the rebound.

U.S. officials also voiced concern that an expansion of Japan's lethal "research program" in the Southern Ocean will hinder discussion and progress on other important issues at the IWC meeting.

Ministers and commissioners from more than 60 countries will discuss this and other aspects of whale stock management at the International Whaling Commission's annual meeting in Ulsan, South Korea, June 20-24.

• Ship Noise Drowns Out Whale Talk, a Threat to Mating
• Unlikely Cousins: Whales and Hippos

--Bjorn Carey

Credit: NOAA