A commercial whaling vessel departed from a port in western Japan on Monday, embarking on a hunting expedition in the Sea of Okhotsk. The primary objective of this voyage is to capture 25 fin whales.
The crew, having set sail from Shimonoseki port, intends to commence their whale hunt within the exclusive economic zone located north of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island. The hunting is scheduled to begin on Friday. The ship is expected to return to port in Sendai, situated in northeastern Japan, sometime in June.
The current fiscal year, which runs through March of the following year, includes plans for four such whaling trips. The crew aims to harvest a combined total of 229 fin whales and other whale species. This represents a slight decrease compared to the previous fiscal year's catch.
Japan's resumption of commercial whaling occurred in 2019, following its formal withdrawal from the International Whaling Commission. Prior to this, as a member of the IWC, Japan had ceased commercial whaling in 1988. However, it continued to hunt whales under the guise of research, a practice that drew international criticism for being a disguised form of commercial whaling.
6 Comments
Rotfront
Japan is not the only country that hunts whales. Let's look at this issue more broadly.
Karamba
Fin whales are vulnerable. This hunt is a step backward for our planet's health and future.
Matzomaster
Whaling has been part of Japanese culture for centuries. We should respect that heritage.
Karamba
Japan has every right to manage its own resources. Whaling is part of our cultural heritage!
Matzomaster
The International Whaling Commission has its biases. Japan’s decision to withdraw was necessary!
Raphael
As long as the hunting is regulated, I see no issue with it. We all have to eat!