Japan cuts whaling quota by two-thirds, says it proves hunt is scientific

JAPAN says its decision to cut its whaling quota by two-thirds proves the hunts are for genuine scientific research.

This undated handout picture released from the Instutute of Cetacean Research on November 18, 2014 shows a minke whale on the deck of a whaling ship for research whaling at Antarctic Ocean. Japan said on November 18 it has cut its Antarctic whale-catch quota by two-thirds in a move it hopes will convince international opponents it is conducting genuine scientific research on expeditions in the region. AFP PHOTO / THE INSTITUTE OF CETACEAN RESEARCH ---EDITORS NOTE------RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / THE INSTITUTE OF CETACEAN RESEARCH" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

A TWO-thirds cut in Japan’s Antarctic whaling quota announced this month should be enough to prove that the hunt is for genuine scientific purposes, the country’s chief negotiator says.

The world’s anti-whaling nations should compromise and recognise that Japan is trying to meet them halfway after a ruling by the International Court of Justice banning the hunt, said negotiator Joji Morishita

“Hopefully this research plan would trigger or send some message (to international opponents) because we have accepted the ICJ judgment in our research plan,” Mr Morishita told foreign journalists.

Hunted ... A photo from the Instutute of Cetacean Research on November 18 shows a minke whale on the deck of a whaling ship in the Antarctic Ocean. Picture: AFP / THE INSTITUTE OF CETACEAN RESEARCH

In March the ICJ — the highest court of the United Nations — ruled that Tokyo was abusing a scientific exemption set out in the 1986 moratorium on whaling, and was carrying out a commercial hunt under a veneer of research.

Japan cancelled its 2014-15 Antarctic mission after the ruling, but said it intends to resume “research whaling” in 2015-16.

Now, in a new plan submitted to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and its Scientific Committee, Japan has set an annual target of 333 minke whales, down from some 900 under the previous program.

Compromise ... Joji Morishita, Japan's commissioner to the International Whaling Commission says the two-thirds cut in its Antarctic whaling quota should be enough to prove that the hunt is genuine science. Picture: AFP

Tokyo also defined the research period as 12 years from fiscal 2015 in response to the court’s criticism of the program’s open-ended nature.

In addition, Japanese whalers will employ more nonlethal methods, including sighting surveys and biopsy sampling of skin tissue, while the participation of foreign scientists will be encouraged.

“If the IWC is to survive as a conservation and management international organisation, there should be a new paradigm. First we have to agree to disagree,” said Mr Morishita.

Lack of interest ... Japanese lawmakers and government officials try whale meat dishes to promote whale meat, which is now rarely eaten in the country. Picture: AP

Whale meat in Japan long ago ceased to be a regular feature of most diets, and surveys show that most people have only rarely, if ever, eaten it.

However the vehemence of the anti-whaling campaign has emboldened supporters, who charge nations like Australia with cultural imperialism.

They point to the consumption of huge numbers of cows, pigs and sheep there.