What Role Should The International Whaling Commission Play In Monitoring Whaling?
What are the main issues surrounding Japanese whaling and what role should the International Whaling Commission play in monitoring whaling?
Introduction:
During the course of the semester, we have learned about a wide variety of marine mammals and the importance of protecting these animals. One group of marine mammals that I have found most interesting is the whale family. The whale group of marine mammals includes the blue whale, which is the largest animal in the world. As a child, I assumed that the large size of some of the whales made this group of marine mammals safe from humans and other predators. However, I also remember as a child watching Animal Planet’s Whale Wars and realizing that there are certain countries, where whaling is …show more content…
I wanted to learn more about the science and politics behind whaling. Throughout this paper, I will focus on the history of Japanese whaling, the impact that it is having on the whale population, the cultural implications of whaling, and the role of the International Whaling Commission, which is also known as the IWC. Over the course of this paper, I will provide evidence for why Japanese whaling must be further limited and reasons for why the International Whaling Commission must be given more power in monitoring and limiting the amount of whaling that …show more content…
Through a complicated series of organizations, the Japanese government essentially guarantees the success of the company that operates the whaling ships by heavily subsidizing its activities with grant. Kydo Senpaku is a private fishing company and is responsible for the killing of hundreds of Minke whales. According to an article from the Economist published in 2000, "The main source of Kydo Senpaku's $45m of annual revenues is fees paid by the Institute of Cetacean Research, a foundation formed in 1987 which took over the research activities, along with a 10m grant, of the Japan Whaling Association, a trade body." ("Japan – The politics of whaling", 2000). The Japanese than buys 2,000-3,000 tones of whale meat at an inflated price and thereby covers the cost of the research. The government then distributes this meat to wholesalers and keeps a fifth of it for research purposes. If the Japanese government did not facilitate the sale of whale meat, then it is very likely that Kyodo Senpaku would not be able to remain profitable ("Japan – The politics of whaling",
Introduction:
During the course of the semester, we have learned about a wide variety of marine mammals and the importance of protecting these animals. One group of marine mammals that I have found most interesting is the whale family. The whale group of marine mammals includes the blue whale, which is the largest animal in the world. As a child, I assumed that the large size of some of the whales made this group of marine mammals safe from humans and other predators. However, I also remember as a child watching Animal Planet’s Whale Wars and realizing that there are certain countries, where whaling is …show more content…
I wanted to learn more about the science and politics behind whaling. Throughout this paper, I will focus on the history of Japanese whaling, the impact that it is having on the whale population, the cultural implications of whaling, and the role of the International Whaling Commission, which is also known as the IWC. Over the course of this paper, I will provide evidence for why Japanese whaling must be further limited and reasons for why the International Whaling Commission must be given more power in monitoring and limiting the amount of whaling that …show more content…
Through a complicated series of organizations, the Japanese government essentially guarantees the success of the company that operates the whaling ships by heavily subsidizing its activities with grant. Kydo Senpaku is a private fishing company and is responsible for the killing of hundreds of Minke whales. According to an article from the Economist published in 2000, "The main source of Kydo Senpaku's $45m of annual revenues is fees paid by the Institute of Cetacean Research, a foundation formed in 1987 which took over the research activities, along with a 10m grant, of the Japan Whaling Association, a trade body." ("Japan – The politics of whaling", 2000). The Japanese than buys 2,000-3,000 tones of whale meat at an inflated price and thereby covers the cost of the research. The government then distributes this meat to wholesalers and keeps a fifth of it for research purposes. If the Japanese government did not facilitate the sale of whale meat, then it is very likely that Kyodo Senpaku would not be able to remain profitable ("Japan – The politics of whaling",