NORWAY'S WHALE MEAT GLUT SHOWS NO NEED FOR HUNT: GREENPEACE.

OSLO, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12TH, 1996

Norwegian whalers are killing whales at their highest rate in a decade. But no one is buying the meat.

Norway's national radio news reported on 10 June, that only 56 out of 202 whales caught this year have been sold.

"This is no surprise," said Katrin Brubakk of Greenpeace Norway. "Norway's whalers could not sell all of last years catch and had between 30 and 60 whales still in cold storage at the start of this year's hunt. Clearly where whale meat is concerned, Norwegians are just not buying it."

Last year's catch was 218 minke whales; this year's quota was sharply increased to 425. Norway calls its whaling small scale and traditional and has forbidden export of whale products since this would make the hunt obviously commercial and increase international opposition.

A meeting of the Norwegian government and the whaling industry was held on 11 June to try and resolve the problem of the growing whale meat mountain.

Norwegian authorities have set a minimum price which wholesale buyers must pay for whale meat but buyers are refusing to purchase it saying that, due to the weak market they can't make a profit. Individuals close to the whaling industry are suggesting that either the minimum price be lowered or the government must subsidise the industry to store unsold products.

"The idea of further government aid for whaling is grotesque," said Brubakk. "The government already pumps huge amounts of money into public relations. Why don't they just accept the obvious - Norway has no need for the hunt and no need for whale products."

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT

Kalle Hesstvedt, Greenpeace Norway: +472-220-5101

John Frizell, Greenpeace International: +441 273-476-839