JAPAN TRIES TO OBSTRUCT MOVES TO PROTECT CRITICALLY ENDANGERED WHALE POPULATION

26 July 2001

London - Greenpeace expressed outrage today at Japan’s decision to vote against a proposal to protect the critically endangered Western North Pacific Gray Whales, of which there are believed to be less than 100 left.

Japan was the only country to vote against a proposal at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting to ‘safeguard’ the remaining whales which are listed as ‘critically endangered’ by the World Conservation Union, putting them in the same bracket as the black rhinoceros and mountain gorilla.

The proposal, which called for countries to “actively pursue all practicable actions” to eliminate man-made mortality" was put forward following a disturbing report by the IWC’s scientific committee. The report observed how the Western North Pacific Gray whale population had only 12 adult females bearing calves and that some individuals were skinny. Worryingly the report also found that of the less than 100 individuals, the ratio seemed to be two males to one female.

“The loss of a single individual whale from this population brings it one step closer to extinction," said Greenpeace whale campaigner, Richard Page. "Japan has shown its true colours today by voting against attempts to save this critically endangered whale population and clearly regards whales and whale conservation with contempt.”

"Japan always claims that its pro-whaling initiatives are based on sound science, but it’s clearly prepared to ignore scientific advice when it does not fit its pro-whaling agenda,” he added.

In 1999, the other population of Gray whales, in the Eastern Pacific ocean, showed a marked increase in mortality with many whales showing signs of malnutrition.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Matilda Bradshaw, Greenpeace International on + 31 6 535 04701
Louise Edge, Greenpeace UK on +7801 212 993

(1) IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) also known as the World Conservation Union has listed this population as "critically endangered’.

Population estimates are less than 100 individuals, fewer than 50 individuals of reproductive capacity. The ratio seems to be two males to one female, which would have disturbing implications for reproductive capacity. All the calves biopsied in the survey of the Sea of Okhotsk were male.