Sea Shepherd Says Endangered Blue Whale Killed in Iceland
An endangered Blue whale has been killed by an Icelandic whaling company Hvalur hf to be sold for export to Japan, a conservationist organization Sea Shepherd said. "Sea Shepherd volunteers monitoring the Hvalur hf whaling station in Hvalfjordur Iceland have documented the slaughter of an endangered Blue whale on the night of July 7th, the 22nd endangered whale killed and butchered for export to Japan by Kristján Loftsson’s commercial whaling company since June 20, 2018," said a press release. Although the first 21 whales killed were endangered Fin whales – which the Icelandic government has permitted Loftsson’s company to slaughter…
Japan, Allies Block Proposal for South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary
Countries led by Japan on Tuesday blocked a move by South American and African states to create a South Atlantic sanctuary for whales they say are endangered by hunting despite a global moratorium in force for 30 years. The proposal brought by five African and South American countries would have needed the support of three quarters of the International Whaling Commission's 88 members. In the event, 24 countries were opposed, including Japan. Japan is one of a handful of countries…
NOAA, USCG Provide Commercial Mariners with Guide to Right Whale Protection
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service and the U.S. Coast Guard announce the availability of "A Prudent Mariner's Guide to Right Whale Protection" - an interactive, multi-media CD program that serves as a guide and voluntary training resource for commercial mariners operating in right whale habitats along the U.S. Atlantic coast. The CD, distributed free-of-charge upon request, provides a comprehensive collection of right whale information delivered in a compact and user-friendly format. The program includes: crew training information about right whales, recommended navigational actions when operating in right whale habitat, a guide to reporting sightings of dead or injured right whales, an informative video presentation, and a short follow-up quiz.
Whaling Ships Embark on Research Trip
According to a Kyodo News story, a fleet of whaling ships recently left Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, to conduct a scientific research program on whales in the Antarctic for the Tokyo-based Institute of Cetacean Research. During the expedition, the institute plans to catch 10 fin whales for the first time. It also plans to double the amount of catch of minke whales to about 850. In June, the International Whaling Commission adopted a nonbinding resolution urging Japan to scrap its research program at its annual meeting in Ulsan, South Korea. Source: Kyodo News.
