Minke headcount cut back by half - Japan/Australia/Pacific/Environment
Greg Roberts; 3/4/08
The world population of the Antarctic minke whale, the main species hunted by the Japanese, is half what it was thought to be, after a more accurate analysis of the survey numbers. The new estimate from the International Whaling Commission emerged yesterday after Japan accused Australia of hypocrisy for opposing its whaling while condoning the hunting of dugongs by Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders. Japan’s Institute of Cetacean Research claimed on Tuesday that the Japanese whaling program was more sustainable than Australia’s harvest of dugongs, also know as sea cows. Institute spokesman Glenn Inwood said the IUCN World Conservation Union had concluded that the hunting of dugongs was unsustainable.
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23475219-5013404,00.html
Law is ‘on our side’ in Japan whaling dispute
Matthew Denholm; 3/4/08
Australia can lawfully enforce its ban on whaling in its Antarctic waters without threatening international co-operation in the region, says a lawyer involved in recent successful anti-whaling litigation. Chris McGrath, part of the legal team that obtained a court injunction against Japanese whaling, will tell a gathering in Hobart today that fears enforcing the injunction would threaten the Antarctic Treaty System are unfounded. A paper on the issue by Dr McGrath acknowledges concern that Australia would risk undermining the ATS, under which member nations put aside disputed territorial claims in Antarctica to co-operate on issues affecting the frozen continent.
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23475214-5013404,00.html