In a eccentric induct by Australia the United Nations top court , the International Court of Justice ( ICJ ) , hasruledthat Japan must stop its whaling political program in the Antarctic .
In 1986 the International Whaling Commision ( IWC ) moratorium banned commercial-grade whaling , but earmark whaling provided that it was carried out only for research purposes . Nipponese fleets have ascientific permitfor a quota of up to 935 minke whale , 50 hunchback whales and 50 fin whales . The latter are an endangered species . Japan were accused by Australia of work this loophole in parliamentary law to mask commercial whaling as scientific inquiry ; since the IWC moratorium they have killed10,439minke heavyweight , harmonize to the International Fund for Animal Welfare . During the hearing , the Australian governing ’s counselBill Campbellsaid " In short , Japan seems to mask its ongoing commercial whaling in the lab coating of science . It is simply not science . " Japan has denied this accusal , but admits that the sum from these activities is being consumed in Japan . They claim that they are conduct research aimed at look into the viability of whale hunt , but the ICJ settle that they had flush it to feel a way of reducing the number of whales they kill .
Despite the IWC moratoriumIceland and Norwaystill have commercial-grade whaling course of study . Norway is take into account to hunt because of an dissent to the ban , whereas Iceland left the IWC in 1992 . It is claimed that over 30,000 whales have been killed since 1986 despite the ban imposed . Japan strongly defends the consumption of hulk meat , stating that it is an important part of their culinary custom . They indicate that the whales killed are not under terror therefore their activity are sustainable , but as mentioned the fin whale is an endangered mintage so this is simply not the case . They vowed that they would never stop whale , but have disappointedly agreed to this ban . master negotiatorKoji Tsuruokatold reporters " As a state that respects the rule of natural law … and as a responsible member of the global community , Japan will stand by the conclusion of the court . " Alongside whaling activities , coastal fisherman in Japan kill up to20,000small cetaceans each year such as dolphin , and also import endangered fin whale kernel from Iceland .
The environmental groupSea Shepherdhas been attempting to subvert whaling efforts in Southern seas prior to this court conclusion . Last year , Japan claimed that they experienced an all time low from their whaling activities because ofsabotageby Sea Shepherd .
Although this is near word , Japan is still able to whale in Northern waters under the same loophole . If they care to design a more credible scientific marriage offer for their whaling activities , they may also eventually be allowed to come back to southerly ocean .
