Every year the Japanese whalers are sent to the southern seas to select the necessary of Japan quota of whales - including the baleen whales (fin whales). 8 November last year from the port of Shimonoseki out several ships. A week and a half international environmental organization Greenpeace began its campaign against predatory hunting of cetaceans. Greenpeace members expedition on two ships set off in pursuit of Japanese whalers to prevent.
Why? The Japanese seem to be acting lawfully. In 1986, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) has established the moratorium on catching of cetaceans, and in 1994 proclaimed the Antarctic region of protected areas. However, these limitations of commercial fishing. Leaves a loophole: members of the IWC states retained the right to catch a certain number of whales for scientific research. Tokyo uses this right with might and main. In 2004-2005, Japan has been allocated a quota of 755 whales, and this year under the auspices of "scientific experiments" will be sacrificed to have 2,137 whales of various species. In total, since 1987, Japan produced more than 8000 whales. Many cetaceans, which was being hunted, listed as endangered. It is clear that scientific research - only a pretext. In fact, the meat of animals goes straight to the markets of Japanese cities. This is even more absurd that the need for whale meat in Japan has long satisfied the demand for it decreases, and prices since 1999 have fallen by a third. Often caught whales are processed to feed for animals (which in January this year, acknowledged the Japanese themselves).
Without whale meat Japanese really could not manage after the Second World War – then other meat was a rarity and cost much. Now the situation is, of course, different. Nevertheless, over the past 10 years, catch of whales by Japanese fishermen has increased by two thirds. In January of this year, representatives of 17 countries turned to Tokyo to stop whaling.
Except Japanese hunting for whales is continued by Norwegians and Icelanders. If Japan and Iceland at least recognize that the conduct fishing for research purposes (Iceland's quota this year - 25 Whale), Norway, in 1993, just announced that it is resuming commercial whaling in the North Atlantic.
By the way, the Norwegian Captain Svend Foyn revolutionized the whaling business. However, to be proud to Norwegians here there is especially nothing. In 1864 Foyn first went to sea with a harpoon gun long range up to 50 m. In fact, it was burst weapon: entering into the body of the whale fluke disclosed in the form of stars, and smashed a container of sulfuric acid. It ignited the powder charge - and the explosion killed a whale ... In the twentieth century was destroyed 2 млн 400 thousands of whales.