JAPANESE WHALERS INVADE SOUTHERN OCEAN WHALE SANCTUARY

11 November, 1997

Japan's so-called 'scientific' whaling fleet has sailed for the Antarctic in search of profits, not data, Greenpeace said today.

A five ship fleet, including three catcher boats and a factory ship for processing whales, departed Japan this morning (Tuesday) and will catch whales within an area declared as a whale sanctuary by the International Whaling Commission (IWC).

"A review by IWC scientists earlier this year found that the data being produced was not required for management of whales," said John Frizzell. "To call this research is an insult to science. This is a fleet without a scientific mission; the real reason for this voyage is to provide whale meat to keep the market open in Japan."

A resolution passed by the IWC at its most recent meeting last month affirmed that the 'scientific' whaling program did not address critically important research needs, reiterated the Commission's deep concern over the continued taking of whales in the Southern Ocean Sanctuary and strongly urged the Government of Japan to refrain from allowing any further take.

"By keeping the whale meat market open, this operation provides cover for illegal whaling on protected species," added X. DNA testing of market products in Japan, reported to the IWC, has uncovered meat from protected species such as humpbacks, orcas, Bryde's whales and even the rare blue whale.

"Japan should heed the call of the IWC and call this fleet home at once," said Frizzell. "The whales of the Southern Ocean Sanctuary should be left in peace."

The IWC created the Southern Ocean Sanctuary in 1994 by a vote of 23 to one. Only Japan was opposed.

---