Hi everyone
My name is Sarah Wingate and I am 11 years old. Off the West Australian coast each year a large group of Humpback Whales comes for a visit close into our coastline. Anyone looking out to the ocean can see the whales having fun jumping out of the ocean and crashing back down. They are so wonderful and they make everyone smile. One humpback whale has become my friend. He is so friendly he loves everyone. I call him Oscar because he reminds me of Oscar from Sesame St. The whales are our friends and we have no good reason to kill them. And you and I have a job to help save them. I am mad and so should everyone. I like Japanese people and Sushi. But they are doing nothing to stop the other Japanese from killing Oscar.
I am asking everyone reading this to help send a message to Japan.
Sarah Wingate
Japanese whalers may target white humpbacks off Australia
12:22PM Monday November 12, 2007
Japanese whalers refuse to say if they will target white humpbacks off the Australian east coast. Photo / Reuters
CANBERRA - Japanese whalers have refused to say if they will target white humpback whales such as Migaloo, which annually travels along the east coast of Australia, in their research slaughter this summer.
As the Japanese whaling fleet prepares to leave port and head for the Antarctic, the Japan Fisheries Agency has given a firm "no comment" to questions about white whales.
Japan, which uses a loophole in International Whaling Commission laws to hunt almost 1000 whales each year in the southern hemisphere, allegedly for scientific research, will target humpbacks for the first time this summer.
The ships have been given a quota of 50 humpbacks along with 50 fin whales and hundreds of the smaller minke whales this year.
Migaloo, which translates as White Fella, is believed to be the only completely white humpback whale in the world and is often spotted among the humpbacks which form the basis of Australia's whale-watching industry.
AAP inquiries of Japan Fisheries Agency about the fate of Migaloo and other white whales were met with "no comment".
Japan Fisheries Agency spokesman Hideki Moronuki says the fleet will step up security this season after heated clashes with anti-whaling protesters in the Antarctic last summer.
He called on Australia and New Zealand to take measures to curb the actions of protest ships he described as environmental "terrorists".
"Those two countries maintain the same position as Japan does against the violent action of terrorists," Mr Moronuki told ABC Radio.
"So, everybody can imagine that Sea Shepherd may take very dangerous illegal action again.
"I need a kind of support from those two countries in order to secure the safety of our crews and (our ships).
"We can take legal actions even though Sea Shepherd would take very dangerous illegal actions so we have to take other legal actions in order to keep from dangerous action by Sea Shepherd.
"It's very difficult, but we should do something."
Sea Shepherd ship's captain Paul Watson, whose vessel was involved in a collision with a whaler last summer, said he did not believe any stepped-up security arrangements would have any impact.
"What we have to understand here is Japanese whaling is illegal, he told ABC Radio.
"They're targeting endangered species in a whale sanctuary in violation of a global moratorium on whaling.
"We have the law on our side.
"If Japan reacts violently to us, causes any injury at all to any of our people, that will backlash very severely on Japan because Japan is the criminal nation here."
- AAP
The Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is a baleen whale. One of the larger rorqual species, adults range in length from 12–16 metres (40–50 ft) and weigh approximately 36,000 kilograms (79,000 lb). The Humpback has a distinctive body shape, with unusually long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. It is an acrobatic animal, often breaching and slapping the water. Males produce a complex whale song, which lasts for 10 to 20 minutes and is repeated for hours at a time. The purpose of the song is not yet clear, although it appears to have a role in mating.
Found in oceans and seas around the world, Humpback Whales typically migrate up to 25,000 kilometres each year. Humpbacks feed only in summer, in polar waters, and migrate to tropical or sub-tropical waters to breed and give birth in the winter. During the winter, Humpbacks fast and live off their fat reserves. The species' diet consists mostly of krill and small fish. Humpbacks have a diverse repertoire of feeding methods, including the spectacular bubble net fishing technique.
Like other large whales, the Humpback was a target for the whaling industry, and its population fell by an estimated 90% before a whaling moratorium was introduced in 1966. Stocks of the species have since partially recovered, however entanglement in fishing gear, collisions with ships, and noise pollution are ongoing concerns. Current estimates for the abundance of Humpback Whales range from about 30,000 to 60,000, approximately one third of pre-whaling levels. Once hunted to the brink of extinction, Humpbacks are now sought out by whale-watchers, particularly off parts of Australia and the United States.
We have saved Oscar this year, but Japan will be back to kill again
Japan drops Humpback cull
Hiroshi Oosedo, Tokyo bureau | December 21, 2007
JAPAN has abandoned its plan to hunt as many as 50 humpback whales, according to broadcaster NHK.
"Japan has decided to delist humpbacks from the whaling list for now due to concern about the negative impact on relations with Australia,'' NHK said, quoting unnamed officials.
Whaling expert Junko Sakuma told The Australian's Tokyo office that there had been a hot debate among the government officials over the hunting of humpback whales before the departure of Japan's Nisshin-Maru whaling fleet for Antartica on November 18.
She said facilities aboard the ship indicated there were no facilities to store the remains of 50 Humpback whales -- the original quota suggested by Japan.
These were the reduced number of crew on board the Japanese fleet (the number is 250, down 25 from last season), the capacity of freezers to keep whale meat, and difficulties in reducing whale meat stockpiles.
US Ambassador to Japan, Thomas Schieffer, reportedly told Reuters that he has agreed with the Japanese government on the suspension of the humpback whale hunting program.
Ms Sakuma said this would be a good way out for the Japanese government officials to call off their plan to catch humpbacks.
“They can use the US intervention as an excuse for changing their initial plan to hunt humpbacks, though they are very reluctant to listen to advice or suggestions by NGO peoples or even the Australian government officials,” she said.
Mr Joji Morishita, the Japanese government’s Chief Fisheries Negotiator, said he was aware of the news report about US Ambassador’s comment.
“But, I cannot give you any comment on the issue (of hunting humpback whales),” he said.
Ms Sakuma said no Japanese official had ever formally stated that Japan would go ahead with hunting humpback whales.
Ms Sakuma said she welcomed the Australian government’s announcement this week to dispatch a customs vessel and aircraft to monitor the Japanese whaling fleet in the Antarctic.
”It will be great if the Australians are able to take photos of scenes that Japanese whalers are actually hunting humpback whales in the sea," she said.
She said "quite a few" experts on international law maintained that hunting humpback whales was illegal.
Humpback whales are considered to be facing a high risk of extinction.
According to the latest “Red List” of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, the extinction risk of humpback whales is defined as “Vulnerable (VU), and that for minke whale as “Lower Risk” or “Nearly Threatened.”
Japanese media earlier reported that the IUCN had a plan to downgrade the humpback’s VU to “Leased Concern (LC), but it did not happen.
Mr Morishita said,”The IUCN has no legal power to force its member nations adopt its own criteria.”
Ms Sakuma also expects the Australian team will be able to get hard proof to show the Japanese whaling fleet might be dumping some parts of whale they hade caught -- if the accusation was true.
“Because of the shortage in the number of crew on board the whaling fleet, it is possible that Japanese will have to throw some meat into the ocean,” she said. “They might throw up to 50% of the catch.”
She said that IWC bans dumping of processed whale meat into the sea, but it does not say anything about the case of fresh meat.
“It will be interesting if the Australians take photos of whale guts floating in the water,” she said.
“Because Japanese whalers have kept saying that they utilise every part of whale meat,” she said.
She said: ”Anyway, it will be unnecessary for Green Peace to remain in the Antarctic to monitor the Japanese fleet, if the Australians put their plans into practice."
Japan removes humpback whales from Antarctic hunt
11:25AM Saturday December 22, 2007
By Teruaki Ueno
TOKYO - Japan's whaling fleet in the Antarctic will avoid killing humpback whales for now, but will press on with plans to slay 1,000 other whales by early in the New Year, a government official has said.
The move follows Australia's announcement Wednesday that it would send a fisheries patrol ship to gather evidence for a possible International Court challenge to halt Japan's yearly slaughter.
Plans by Japan to include 50 endangered humpbacks in its annual hunt had sparked an outcry from activists.
Popular among whale watchers for their distinctive silhouette and acrobatic leaps, humpbacks were hunted to near extinction until the International Whaling Commission (IWC) ordered their protection in 1966.
"Japan has decided not to catch humpback whales for one year or two," government spokesman Nobutaka Machimura told reporters.
"Japan's relations with Australia could improve, but it depends on how it will see our decision."
Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said through a spokesman that while the move was welcome, there was no good reason for Japan to continue any sort of whaling.
Australia, Britain, France and Germany were among 30 nations who lodged a joint diplomatic protest with the Japanese Foreign Ministry on Friday over Tokyo's annual whale hunt.
Machimura said Japan made its decision to spare the humpbacks after holding talks with the head of the IWC. He said Japan would suspend its humpback whale hunt while the IWC held talks on "normalizing" its functions, but would continue with its "scientific research" whaling.
Machimura said the IWC had been distorted by ideology.
Japan's whaling fleet set sail last month with plans to catch more than 1,000 whales, including 50 humpbacks. It is due back early next year.
Japan, which says whaling is a cherished cultural tradition, abandoned commercial whaling in accordance with an international moratorium in 1986, but began what it calls a scientific research whaling program the following year.
Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura defended his country's whaling, saying it was in line with international treaties.
Komura spoke by telephone with his Australian counterpart, who voiced his concern over the issue, the Tokyo Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
It said Komura had restated Japan's basic stance on research whaling. The ministry said Smith had given an assurance that the row would not harm bilateral ties.
Smith's spokesman told Reuters: "The Australian government welcomes the announcement by Japan that it will suspend its plan to kill humpback whales this season.
"While this is a welcome move, the Australian government strongly believes that there is no credible justification for the hunting of any whales and will vigorously pursue its efforts ... to see an end to whaling by Japan."
In Washington, Assistant Secretary of State Claudia McMurray said, "Japan's decision will promote global efforts to protect the endangered humpback whale. It also is an important step in fostering continued cooperation through the IWC."
Japanese officials told the US Commissioner and IWC chairman Bill Hogarth they would postpone the harvest of humpback whales at least until after the next meeting of the International Whaling Commission slated for June.
In their joint protest to Tokyo's Foreign Ministry, the 30 nations and European Commission said: "We are extremely concerned that more than 11,000 whales have been killed under scientific programs since the introduction of the moratorium."
They added: "Taking into consideration the government of Japan's environmental credentials in several areas, we strongly urge Japan to join the international community and cease all its lethal scientific research on whales, and assure the immediate return of the vessels."
While Japan kills whales for "scientific purposes," the meat of the giant marine mammals ends up in Japanese supermarkets and restaurants. These days, though, it is a delicacy for which the public appetite is waning.
Some experts say Japan fears that limits on whaling will lead to limits on all Japanese fishing, while others argue the whaling campaign is a form of nationalist diplomacy.
- REUTERS
Whale meat used for dog food
Hiroshi Oosedo, Tokyo bureau | December 21, 2007
WHALE meat has been sold as dog food in Japan and there is a push now to encourage children to consume it to help reduce stockpiles.
As Japan’s whaling fleet makes its way to Antartica for this year’s cull, the Japanese government has been desperately trying to reduce its stockpile from last season by encouraging public schools, nursery schools, and the food industry to increase its whale meat consumption.
Serving whale meat for school lunch had almost been suspended after the International Whaling Commission imposed a ban on commercial whaling in 1986.
But the Japanese government has been desperately trying to reduce its stockpile by encouraging public schools, nursery schools, and food industry to rise whale meat consumption.
Backed by the government’s initiative, more Japanese schools have now started serving whale meat for children’s school lunch.
According to the national Sankei Shimbun, more than 100 primary and junior high schools in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka have recently started whale meat school lunch.
The Asahi Shimbun reported last year that some 3,500 school nationwide serve whale meat for children for lunch.
In Japan whale meat had also been sold as dog food – although the meat came from smaller-sized whales caught along the Japanese coast, not from the Antarctic Ocean voyages.
“Hakudai,” a company that processes whale meat and sell its products in Chikura, Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, had – according to its own advertising, been selling whale meat as dog food until recently.
The company’s home-page still includes an ad saying they sell “whale meat jerky for your cute pets.”
But the company denies this has continued.
“We are not selling whale meat jerky,” said a shop assistant yesterday.
It is now the year-end parties’ season now for most of Japan’s workers who enjoy traditional dishes, including whale meat, accompanied by alcohol.
The “Taruichi,” one of half-a-dozen whale restaurants in Tokyo, has been packed with customers who love various whale dishes such as raw sashimi, fried tempura, or even whale ice-cream.
“We have all sorts of customers, young and old, men and women, particularly toward the year end,” said Mr Shunichi Arita, Taruichi’s manager.
“Eating whale meat is a part of food culture in Japan, which should not be disturbed by other countries’ people such as Australians,” he said.
Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said the stockpile of whale meat stood at 3,798 tonnes at the end of November, down from 4,214 tonnes in September.
It is expected to go down further towards year’s end when Japanese people usually consume more whale meat than in other seasons.
The relatively low level of the whale meat stockpile is the result of the Nisshim Maru whaling fleet being forced to suspend its scientific whaling program after it caught a fire in the Antarctic on February 15 this year.
The fleet returned to Japan, carrying 505 minke whales and three fin whales, instead of planned 850 plus-minus 10% minke whales and ten fin whales.
The Institute of Cetacean Research, a body that has been conducting scientific whaling on behalf of the government, in February 2003 opened “Yushin,” a whale meat shop and restaurant in downtown Asakusa in Tokyo.
At the request of the institute, a small shop called “Geishoku Labo” opened in May last year in Tokyo’s Roppogi district. “Geishoku” means eating whale meat.
Asian Lunch, company that runs street vendors in Tokyo’s central district, last month started whale mince curry for white colour workers.
In collaboration with Geishoku Labo, Asian Lunch has been serving 600 dishes of whale curry a day in 14 places in Tokyo.
“We hope to attract young women, as well as middle-aged workers to the taste of whale meat,” said Yuka Yamaguchi, vice-president of Asian Lunch.
“We don’t want to waste by-products of scientific whaling,” she said.
“But I don’t agree with using whale meat in our business if they catch whales for the purpose of selling its meats from the start,” she said.
Ms Junko Sakuma, an independent whale analyst, had some doubt Japanese consumers wanted to eat humpback whale meat.
“You know that they have stopped eating humpback whale meat 43 years ago,” she said.
“Generally speaking, Japanese consumers do not jump on new types of whale meat, as it has happened in the case of Bryde’s whale or sei whale in the past.”
The Japanese whaling fleet led by the 6,030-tonne Nisshin Maru is about to start hunting whales – maximum 935 minke whales, 50 humpback whales and 50 fin whales in the Antarctic Ocean.
It is reported that the Institute of Cetacean Research has spent 14 billion yen (A$ 1,428 million) since 1987 on scientific whaling.
Scientific whaling also is funded by taxpayers’ money – one billion yen each year.
The fleet is expected to return to Japan sometime next April, bringing over 5,500 tonne whale meat.
