Category Archives: Whales

Korea rejects sham science, confirms plans to pursue non-lethal whale research instead of whaling

Posted in Korea, Whales by

Humpback_Whale_300_4The Republic of Korea has confirmed its plans to pursue non-lethal whale research as an alternative to the cruelty of so-called scientific whaling.

Tens of thousands of people around the world, emailed the Korean government in protest after it announced its intention to begin so-called scientific whaling at July’s International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in Panama City, Panama.

The deadline for submitting its formal proposal, December 3, passed with no official announcement from the government, but the IWC has now officially confirmed that the Republic of Korea has opted instead to pursue non-lethal research.

Korea has not hunted whales since 1986. The government has taken a strong position against illegal whaling and also spoke at IWC of its plans to build capacity for whale watching.

End the Faroe Islands’ Whale Slaughter!

Posted in Faroe Islands, Whales by

Every year hundred of pilot whales are slaughtered in the Faroes Island. Though the images are very powerful please don’t turn a blind eye and a deaf ear.

 

Petitions:

End the Faroe Islands’ Whale Slaughter!

http://www.change.org/petitions/end-the-faroe-islands-whale-slaughter

Petition to End the Faroe Islands’ Whale & Dolphin Slaughter

http://www.unleashed.org.au/take_action/petitions/stop-the-faroe-islands-whale-slaughter/

Continue reading →

Amazon.Com Removes Whale Products From Japan Website

Posted in Japan, Whales by

Reblogged from Victories for Animals:

Click to visit the original post

UPDATE from Humane Society International

Internet giant Amazon.com appears to have removed all whale products from its wholly owned Japanese website overnight, following worldwide publicity that scores of whale products were offered for sale.

A new campaign launched yesterday by the Environmental Investigation Agency and Humane Society International revealed that Amazon Japan not only sells products from endangered and protected whale species, but also products containing dangerous levels of mercury.

Read more… 220 more words

Federal Protection Sought for “Moby Dick” in the Gulf of Mexico

Posted in USA, Whales by

WildEarth Guardians has petitioned the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to list the sperm whale population in the Gulf of Mexico as a “distinct population segment” (DPS) under the Endangered Species Act. Although the worldwide population of sperm whales is listed as “endangered,” the resident population in the Gulf faces unique threats including continued oil and gas development, high levels of shipping traffic and noise, and effects from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Protecting sperm whales in the Gulf as a DPS would ensure that this genetically, morphologically, and behaviorally distinct population remains a part of the Gulf ecosystem.

Moby Dick, the subject of Captain Ahab’s obsession in the classic book, was a sperm whale.

“At the time Moby Dick was written, sperm whales were indiscriminately killed for the spermaceti oil in their heads,” said Taylor Jones, Endangered Species Advocate for WildEarth Guardians. “Now the Gulf whales are in danger because of the exploitation of oil in their habitat.”

Sperm whales reproduce very slowly. Females have only one calf at a time and nurse offspring for multiple years. NOAA scientists have determined that as few as three human-caused sperm whale deaths per year in addition to natural deaths could jeopardize the future of the Gulf population.

Sperm whales in the Gulf are unique from other populations in several ways. They are a resident population that generally does not migrate beyond the Gulf. They use a different repertoire of vocalizations than other sperm whales. These vocalizations, called “codas,” have distinct patterns and are likely culturally learned, much like human language. Sperm whales in the Gulf have a “dialect” that is rarely encountered outside the Gulf. They are smaller than other sperm whales and group in smaller numbers, and have been observed foraging in shallower water than other sperm whales. Because of these unique adaptations, if the Gulf sperm whales were to become extirpated, there is little evidence that other sperm whales would or could colonize the area.

“We must provide protection to these intelligent giants in the Gulf of Mexico,” concluded Jones. “After two and a half centuries of unregulated whaling, humanity owes this species every opportunity for recovery.”

Tsunami Disaster Funds To Be Used For Whaling?

Posted in Japan, Whales by

No disaster funds for whale slaughter

We stand with the Japanese people in the ongoing disaster recovery and condemn the use of relief funds to promote the Japanese whaling industry. We demand the Japanese government immediately end all whaling subsidies and instead prioritize the immediate relocation and assistance of families still suffering in the aftermath of the nuclear disaster and tsunami.

Sign the petition:  http://www.avaaz.org/en/japan_disaster_funds_whaling_b

Japanese groups criticise use of tsunami relief funds for whaling fleet
Japanese environmental and consumer groups have criticised the government’s decision to use tsunami recovery funds for its whaling fleet.
Read full news:

Source: Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS)

A joint statement issued by a number of Japanese NGO’s has criticized the Japanese Fisheries Agency request to use part of the government’s additional annual budget (put aside for rebuilding those areas affected by the March earthquake) for whaling activities.

On October 21st, 2011, the cabinet agreed to 2.28 billion yen (over 29 million US dollars) in tax revenue being set aside to help those in the worst affected regions. However, it has now been revealed that the Fisheries Agency submitted a request entitled “Measures to stabilize the scientific whaling research programme” that actually referred to scientific whaling in the Southern Ocean, and so having no link to the recovery plan for the affected areas along Japanese coast.

This request comes at a time when the whaling programme in Japan is suffering from debts of over 24 million US dollars.

The NGO statement, which is supported by WDCS, states that if additional budget aimed at recovery work in the affected areas is given to the whaling industry, then it is unavoidable that people within, and outside of Japan think the government has a vested interest in propping up a dying whaling programme with tax payers money.

The groups say that spending tax money on the whaling programme in Japan casts doubt on the attitude and seriousness of the Japanese government towards its recovery plan.

The statement goes on to demand that the Japanese government use the additional budget of over 29 million US dollars for priority projects that actually help the people, and the coastal areas affected, rather than on expensive and unwanted whaling in the Southern Ocean.

Joint statement put out by the following groups;
IFAW Japan, Choice for the Future, Citizens Against Chemical Pollution, Ramsar Network Japan, Japan’s Environmental Lawyers Federation, Alive in Viable Environment (ALIVE), Japan Tiger and Elephant Fund (JTEF), Save dugong Campaign Committee, Biodiversity Information Box, Orcalab Support society, Shachi.jp

http://whalingendstoday.blogspot.com/

You can help: http://whalingendstoday.blogspot.com/p/you-can-help.html

Victory for Belugas

Posted in Whales by

Source: Center for Biological Diversity

Dear Center Supporter,

There’s huge news today out of Alaska: A federal judge just rejected the state’s attempts to deny Endangered Species Act protection for Cook Inlet beluga whales.

Today’s ruling is a major victory in our decade-long battle to protect the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale, one of Alaska’s most imperiled species whose population plummeted from 1,300 in the 1970s to only just 300 to 400 today.

Thank you. Belugas wouldn’t be getting the protections they need and deserve without your help and support over the last 12 years and the major push this year to stop Alaska’s latest attacks.

This win is the latest chapter in a long-term fight for the survival of belugas — and it’s far from over.

The Center for Biological Diversity first petitioned to protect Cook Inlet beluga whales under the Endangered Species Act in 1999. The whale population faced a long list of powerful threats, including oil and gas development and pollution from Anchorage, the fastest-growing watershed in Alaska.

We finally won Endangered Species Act protections for Cook Inlet belugas in 2008, and in early 2011, our long-running efforts secured protection for nearly 2 million acres of their habitat.

But shortly after belugas were listed in 2008, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin announced politically motivated plans to sue over the listing, which sparked the lawsuit under Gov. Sean Parnell – the lawsuit that we defeated today.

The Center and allies fought back Palin’s suit in court and, today, the judge rejected the state’s arguments, saying the Fisheries Service’s decision to protect the belugas was based on the best available science.

I’m proud to say that the dedication and support of our members and staff brought about this critical win for the whales, and I want to share today’s victory with you.

For now, thanks to your efforts, Cook Inlet beluga whales will continue to get the protections they desperately need and that the Center has fought so long and so hard to secure.

Here’s to a future for beluga whales that’s safe, secure and long-lasting.

Kierán Suckling
Executive Director
Center for Biological Diversity

Court upholds Endangered Species Act protections for Cook Inlet beluga whales

Posted in Whales by

Source: Defenders of Wildlife 

 

Court upholds Endangered Species Act protections for Cook Inlet beluga whales

State of Alaska’s challenge to “endangered” status of whales rejected

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (November 21, 2011) – A federal judge today rejected the state of Alaska’s 2010 lawsuit that tried to strip Endangered Species Act protections for Cook Inlet beluga whales. The whales were listed as an endangered species in 2008. In today’s decision, the judge said that the best available science supports the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s determination that Cook Inlet beluga whales are in danger of extinction. While hunting was initially considered the cause of the significant decline of belugas in the Inlet, the population has continued to decline after hunting ceased in 1999.

The Alaska Center for the Environment, the Center for Biological Diversity, Cook Inletkeeper, Defenders of Wildlife, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the North Gulf Oceanic Society, represented by Trustees for Alaska, intervened in the lawsuit to defend the beluga listing against the state’s attack.

Once numbering 1,300, the Cook Inlet beluga population currently has only 300 to 400 individuals. This diminished population faces many threats. Cook Inlet, which borders the city of Anchorage, is the most populated and fastest-growing watershed in Alaska, and it is subject to significant offshore oil and gas development in beluga habitat. Additionally, the proposed billion-dollar Knik Arm Bridge will directly affect the belugas, and port expansion and a proposed giant coal mine and coal-export dock would also destroy key beluga habitat.

“The Cook Inlet beluga whale is one of Alaska’s most iconic wild animals, and we need to do all we can to prevent its extinction,” said Karla Dutton, Alaska director for Defenders of Wildlife. “A healthy beluga population in Cook Inlet is essential to the health of the inlet itself and the people and wildlife who depend on it. We’re gratified that the court sided with the scientists and kept in place the vital protections these whales need.”

While there are four other beluga whale populations in Alaska, Cook Inlet belugas are a genetically unique and geographically isolated population of whales that live in Alaska’s Cook Inlet. The whale’s population decline has been so severe that in 2006 the International Union for Conservation of Nature placed the Cook Inlet beluga on its “red list” of endangered species. The U.S. Marine Mammal Commission repeatedly requested that the Fisheries Service list the species under the Endangered Species Act.

“This case shows once again that the state of Alaska’s war on wildlife is a losing battle,” said the Center for Biological Diversity’s Alaska Director Rebecca Noblin. “The state is wasting taxpayer money on frivolous challenges to Cook Inlet beluga protections that are based on solid science.”

“Today’s decision again clarifies that the belugas are in serious trouble. Now it’s time to get serious about finding solutions. Legal sideshows by the state are getting us nowhere,” said Sue Libenson, executive director of the Alaska Center for the Environment.

“This is clearly a case where science and the rule of law prevailed,” said Taryn Kiekow, staff attorney with NRDC.  ”The Cook Inlet belugas are an iconic species in Alaska and it is now absolutely essential that we protect them and their habitat if the population is to survive.”

###

 

Learn more about Defenders’ fight to protect Alaska’s Cook Inlet beluga whales.

 

Contact(s)William Lutz, Defenders of Wildlife, (202) 772-0269Rebecca Noblin, Center for Biological Diversity, (907) 274-1110Jessica Lass, Natural Resources Defense Council, (310) 434-2300Brian Litmans, Trustees for Alaska, (907) 276-4244 ext. 107

 

Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit www.defenders.org.

Illegal Trade in Whale Meat from Iceland’s International Airport Exposed

Posted in EU, Whales by

Background: ANIMAL WELFARE INSTITUTE

Animal Protection Groups Call on U.S. for Decisive Action

Washington, D.C./London, U.K. – Defying a worldwide ban on trade in whale products, Iceland is openly selling whale meat packaged for export in the departure area at Keflavik airport to travelers who, if they make the purchase, risk stiff penalties on arrival at their home destination for importing an internationally protected species.

Representatives of the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) recently purchased minke whale meat steaks at the “Inspired by Iceland” store in the departure lounge of Iceland’s international airport in Keflavik, Iceland. The purchases took place on two separate occasions, one week apart, and in both cases staff at the airport store gave inaccurate information to purchasers.

The U.S. citizens were told erroneously by store staff that they could legally import the product into the United States. In fact, such citizens could face arrest and prosecution under several U.S. laws for illegal wildlife trade. Travelers returning with whale meat to the European Union or many other nations that comply with a ban on international trade in whale products would face similar penalties.

Last month President Obama responded to the advice of his Commerce Secretary that Iceland’s commercial whaling and trade in whale products diminishes the effectiveness of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) – the body that provides for the conservation of whale stocks and regulates whaling. He directed his administration to take a series of actions against Iceland under the U.S. “Pelly Amendment,” but stopped short of economic measures while fin whaling remains suspended. Iceland’s minke whaling season is still underway.

The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) is currently reviewing a separate request under the Pelly Amendment, related to the export of more than 1,500 tons of whale products to Japan and other countries in recent years, and will make its own recommendations to the President concerning whether Iceland’s actions diminish the effectiveness of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an international treaty that bans international commercial trade in whale products.

AWI and WDCS believe this new evidence of a blatant illegal trade in whale products compels the DOI to recommend that the President take even stronger action against Iceland. The groups are calling for trade sanctions against Iceland.

“For U.S. citizens to be told that minke whale meat could be legally imported into the United States was stunning considering U.S. laws protecting the species and prohibiting trade,” said Susan Millward, Executive Director of AWI. “With this new evidence of airport whale meat sales, the Department of the Interior must surely conclude that Iceland is undermining the effectiveness of CITES.”

“It is impossible that Iceland is unaware that U.S. law prohibits imports of whale meat,” said Chris Butler-Stroud, CEO of WDCS. He went on to say, “Iceland is making a mockery of international law and it is time for President Obama to take the gloves off and to block the import of Icelandic products into the U.S. until Iceland ends its commercial whaling and trade for good.”

WDCS has recently been running an awareness campaign directed at tourists visiting Iceland after revealing that a staggering 35-40% of the meat from minke whales slaughtered by Icelandic whalers is eaten by tourists visiting the country, most of whom have no idea that their actions are propping up commercial whaling in Iceland.

No belugas to join Hong Kong exhibition

Posted in Asia, Whales by

Ocean Park cancels plans to import wild-caught beluga whales

Animals Asia are delighted to hear that HK Ocean Park have abandoned plans to bring wild-caught beluga whales to Hong Kong, and we thank the HK Ocean Park management team for making this important decision.

Capture methods used for wild cetaceans are invasive, stressful and potentially lethal. Captive facilities, with their space limitations and commercial considerations, cannot provide conditions that allow cetaceans to express their natural behaviours to meet their physical and psychological needs.

Asia for Animals Coalition letter

Hong Kong Ocean Park Press Release  
Ocean Park Declines Option to Acquire Belugas from the Wild After Due
Consideration
(Hong Kong – 29 August 2011) Ocean Park has been seeking beluga whales to
include as part of its upcoming Polar Adventure zone to help raise public
awareness for the need to mitigate global climate change. After due
consideration, the Park has decided to decline the option of bringing in
belugas from the wild.
Dr. Allan Zeman, Chairman of Ocean Park said, “As a responsible Park, we
continue to explore all possible ways to acquire beluga whales in a
sustainable manner. After due consideration, we have decided not to pursue an
acquisition from the wild even though the removal of some beluga whales has
been shown to be sustainable. Should belugas not become available through
alternative sources prior to the opening of the Polar Adventure, the Park will
explore other approaches to convey the conservation message of climate
change.”
Since the beginning of the animal acquisition plan for Ocean Park’s Master
Redevelopment Plan (MRP), the Park’s first priority for new animals has always
been consistent with the Park’s acquisition policy – to first acquire animals
from human care sources, with acquisition from the wild as a last alternative
only to be considered if there is independently verifiable scientific evidence
that the wild population is sustainable and that the removal of a limited
number of animals is non-detrimental to the population’s survival and
sustainability.
In the process of reviewing human care facilities for available belugas, Ocean
Park has run a parallel path of investigating wild sources by doing the
necessary population research to ensure existing populations can support
potential removals. As it is, the independent scientific research of the wild
population reflects that the number of animals in Russian waters is growing.
An independent review of the research was completed to validate the initial
population assessment study and supported the findings with a slight reduction
in the number of animals that could be collected and allow the population to
remain sustainable.
This groundbreaking project has been precedent-setting and recognized around
the world as the most responsible effort ever made by the zoo and aquarium
industry for population assessment and exhibit development. Marine scientist
and International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) advisor Robert
Brownell, who helped verify the study findings, commended Ocean Park for its
“pioneering work” and said it could “be used by conservationists globally to
push for similar assessments and quotas on other populations of whales and
dolphins” (“The science of captivity”, China Daily, August 24, 2011).
Notwithstanding the supportive research results, Ocean Park has decided to
decline the option of acquiring beluga whales from the wild after careful
considerations.
Ocean Park believes in the power of zoological facilities to inform guests,
change attitudes and influence conservation actions. The effectiveness of live
animal displays and educational messaging at Ocean Park has been demonstrated
in various third party studies in the past years, and is evidenced by over 100
million guests who have connect with nature through encountering the Park’s
animal ambassadors and close to 600,000 local students who have participated
in the Park’s engaging school courses. At the upcoming Polar Adventure, where
iconic animals are presented along with educational and environmental
messages, visitors can develop a greater respect for the animals and their
habitats, and be inspired to change their attitudes and behaviour in ways that
can help slow climate change and biodiversity loss.
- End -

About Ocean Park
Ocean Park is Hong Kong’s unique home grown theme park with a heritage of
delivering family fun and fond memories. Since its opening in January 1977 as
a non-profit organisation, Ocean Park has developed itself to be a world-class
attraction connecting people with nature, and recognised for its animal
husbandry, research and relationship with the community. Over 100 million
people have visited Hong Kong’s premier park since its inception, and Ocean
Park has remained committed to offering adults and children experiences that
blend entertainment with education and conservation. Part of the proceeds from
Ocean Park admission tickets and some retail items will go to Ocean Park
Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong to support its wildlife conservation
projects.
Ocean Park – Giving Back to the Community As Hong Kong’s People’s Park, Ocean
Park has launched different community initiatives to enable Hong Kong people
from all walks of life to enjoy the Park’s offerings. These initiatives
include 1) concessionary admission for Hong Kong residents on their birthdays,
Hong Kong residents aged 65 years and above, and holders of Registration Card
for People with Disabilities; and 2) sponsored admission to individuals and
members of families receiving assistance from the Comprehensive Social
Security Assistance Scheme (CSSA), and Social Welfare Department member
organizations. The Park also gives donation-in-kind to charitable
organizations, offers special rates for school tours, and spearheads many
other community caring projects. During the fiscal year of 2009-2010, Ocean
Park maintained a total of 13 social care programmes, with over 350,000
beneficiaries and an aggregate value to the community equivalent to
HK$85,000,000.

Prime Minister of Faroe Islands: Stop allowing the slaughtering of innocent Pilot Whales

Posted in Faroe Islands, Whales by

Whales are sensitive, social animals with highly developed nervous systems. They have a profound capacity to suffer distress, terror and pain. There must come an end to this useless tradition at the Faroe Islands to slaughter them, as the way the whales are hunted down is just cruel.

 

Prime Minister´s Office,Tinganes Postrúm 64 110, Tórshavn

Tlf: +298 306000 Fax: +298 306015

Email:  info@tinganes.fo

 

Sample letter or create your own:

Dear sir,

Whales are sensitive, social animals with highly developed nervous systems. They have a profound capacity to suffer distress, terror and pain. There must come an end to this useless tradition at the Faroe Islands to slaughter them, as the way the whales are hunted down is just cruel.

The Pilot whales are classified as “strictly protected” under the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, yet the useless killing continues.

These creatures can’t defend themselves in any way, as they are driven with fishing nets to the shore, and are killed in a way that is useless and pointless.
The meat is poisoned, as it is filled with high mercury levels, so it doesn’t even meet the health regulations.

These Pilot whales can not be compared to fish, so please look into these beautiful creatures and see more then just a ‘fish’. It is a mammal which deserves so much better. So I would like to propose to put a halt to these killings, and make a law against the ability to hunt them down and slaughter them.

And please give a minute to see how these people put so much effort to keep these beautiful animals alive :

Sincerely,

[Your name]

 

 

PETITION - Prime Minister of Faroe Islands: Stop allowing the slaughtering of innocent Pilot Whales

http://www.change.org/petitions/prime-minister-of-faroe-islands-stop-allowing-the-slaughtering-of-innocent-pilot-whales

Petition to End the Faroe Islands’ Whale & Dolphin Slaughter

Thousands of signatures have now been presented in person to the Faroe Islands Government. Add your voice to this petition to keep up the demand until this cruel whale slaughter is banned.

Hundreds of pilot whales are slaughtered every year on the Faroe Islands, a small group of islands north of Europe. Faroe men go out with boats to drive these animals into a fjord using nets to block their way back to sea. The whales then beach themselves, or are pulled ashore with a blunt hook lodged in their blowholes. Once beached and defenceless these whales are killed by having their spinal cords and major blood vessels cut. It can take up to three and a half minutes for a whale to eventually die.

Please show the Faroe Islands that the international community is strongly opposed to this cruel slaughter by signing this petition to the Faroe Islands Prime Minister.

http://www.unleashed.org.au/take_action/petitions/stop-the-faroe-islands-whale-slaughter/