South Korea has unveiled plans to resume hunting whales for research purposes, drawing immediate rebuke from an array of governments and conservationists who suspect the move may be a cover for outlawed commercial whaling. The government in Seoul announced its intentions this week to the International Whaling Commission. It said the move is aimed at […]
South Korea To Use “Science” Loophole for Whaling
Posted July 4th, 2012 at 10:35 pm (UTC-5)
South Korea says it plans to hunt whales under regulations permitting whaling only for scientific research. South Korea announced its intentions Wednesday at a meeting of the International Whaling Commission in Panama. The announcement was immediately condemned by anti-whaling nations, including Australia and New Zealand. South Korea says its hunting of minke whales would take […]
Activists Injured in Skirmish with Japanese Whalers
Posted January 18th, 2012 at 2:35 am (UTC-5)
An anti-whaling activist group says three of its members were injured Wednesday during clashes with Japanese whalers off the coast of Antarctica. The Sea Shepherd group said two activists suffered deep bruising after being struck in the shoulder with iron grappling hooks. Another received lacerations after being stabbed in the face with a bamboo pole. […]
Japan to Release Anti-Whaling Activists to Australia
Posted January 10th, 2012 at 1:05 am (UTC-5)
Australia says Japan has agreed to release three anti-whaling activists who boarded a Japanese whaling support vessel two days ago. Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard released a statement Tuesday saying a customs ship has been dispatched to rendezvous with the Shonan Maru 2 and pick up the men. The trio, members of the Australian environmental […]
3 Anti-Whaling Activists Detained on Japanese Ship
Posted January 8th, 2012 at 12:30 am (UTC-5)
An anti-whaling group said Sunday that three activists are being held on a Japanese whaling ship after sneaking aboard the vessel overnight. The three activists are from the Australian group Forest Rescue and were assisted by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, whose ships are tailing the Japanese whaling fleet as it heads towards the Southern […]
Japan Whaling Authorities Sue Environmental Activist Group
Posted December 9th, 2011 at 4:20 am (UTC-5)
Japanese whaling authorities say they are suing a group of environmental activists in the U.S. who have tried to disrupt Japan’s controversial Antarctic whale hunt. Kyodo Senpaku, which owns the ships used in the annual hunt, said Friday a lawsuit was filed against the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society in a U.S. court. The anti-whaling activist […]
New Zealand Condemns Japan’s Whaling Decision
Posted October 4th, 2011 at 9:05 pm (UTC-5)
New Zealand has condemned Japan’s decision to resume its annual Antarctic whale hunt in December. Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said Wednesday that Japan is isolating itself from the international community by its decision to resume whaling in the Southern Ocean. He said Japan also shows a lack of respect for the concerns expressed by […]
Japan Gears Up for Antarctic Whale Hunt
Posted October 4th, 2011 at 5:20 am (UTC-5)
Japan is gearing up for this year’s Antarctic whale hunt with a sharp eye on anti-whaling activists who forced an early end to last year’s hunt. Fisheries Minister Michihiko Kano said Tuesday the government is planning new measures to protect the whale hunters. He said those measures will include the dispatch of a Coast Guard […]
US Commerce Secretary Calls for Sanctions on Iceland Over Whaling
Posted July 20th, 2011 at 7:05 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke is urging President Barack Obama to impose sanctions against Iceland, accusing the country of ignoring a global ban on whaling. Locke says in a letter to the president Wednesday that Iceland’s harvest of whales and export of endangered fin whale meat undermines worldwide efforts to protect the mammals. He calls […]
