Reuters AlertNet Lite - US asks Japan to "refrain' from whaling expedition

Reuters AlertNet Full site

NEWSDESK

US asks Japan to "refrain' from whaling expedition

20 Nov 2007 01:20:58 GMT
Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON, Nov 19 (Reuters) - The United States urged Japan on Monday to "refrain" from a research whaling expedition that environmental activists contend is for commercial purposes and will, for the first time, target humpbacks.

A Japanese whaling fleet departed on Sunday from Shimonoseki port in southwestern Japan for the Antarctic Ocean.

Environmental group Greenpeace said if the fleet does not heed its demands to return home, it will follow the expedition to protest against the hunt.

Greenpeace said the Japanese fleet aims to catch more than 1,000 whales, including 50 humpbacks and some 50 fin whales, which environmentalists say are endangered.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the United States recognizes Japan's legal rights under the Whaling Convention to conduct this hunt, but noted that there were "nonlethal ways to conduct scientific research."

"We call on Japan to refrain from conducting this year's hunt, especially with respect to humpback and fin whales," he said.

The United States also urged restraint by those who may be planning protests against the Japanese fleet, McCormack said.

Japan abandoned commercial whaling in accordance with an international moratorium in 1986, but began the next year to conduct what it calls scientific research whaling.

The whale meat, which under rules set by the International Whaling Commission must be sold for consumption, ends up in supermarkets and restaurants.

Japan has long argued that its whaling program promotes the understanding of whale stocks and species. (Reporting by Joanne Allen, editing by Chris Wilson)

AlertNet news is provided by

Email this article Send comments

NGO latest

• New Guidelines for Addressing Mental Health in Emergencies
IMC - USA

• California Fires: Direct Relief Commits $400,000 Cash to Safety-Net Clinics
DRI - USA

• The Power of One: ADRA Encourages Individuals to Observe World AIDS Day
ADRA - International

• Study Finds 37.4% HIV Prevalence Among Street Youth in Russia
DOW

• Life saving presents for Christmas
Christian Aid - UK

MORE >>

Latest news

• US asks Japan to "refrain' from whaling expedition

• Too much aid to Afghanistan wasted, Oxfam says

• US seeks charges against AP photographer in Iraq

• US aids Pakistani frontier force against militants

• Olmert to free prisoners, pre-talks boost for Abbas

MORE >>

Last updated:Tue Nov 20 01:21:02 2007