Japan expands commercial whaling of fin whales: animal rights activists warn

Historiquement, la viande de baleine a été une source essentielle de protéines au Japon, notamment après la Seconde Guerre mondiale. MAXPPP

Japan has expanded its commercial whaling program to target the fin whale, the second-largest living mammal on the planet. The move, made official Wednesday, July 31, has alarmed animal rights activists.

Japan, one of three countries in the world that hunts whales for commercial purposes alongside Norway and Iceland, has added the fin whale to its list of targeted cetaceans, which already includes the minke whale, Bryde's whale and sei whale, reports 7of7.

This decision, taken despite the fin whale's “vulnerable” status according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, aims to hunt 59 fin whales this year. A Japanese fisheries agency official justified the move by saying there were enough resources available.

A deep concern

The move has sparked deep concern among animal rights activists, according to Saint et Naturel. Australia, through its Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, said it was   "deeply disappointed" and reiterated its opposition to all forms of commercial whaling, urging all countries to stop the practice.

Japan, which has hunted whales for centuries, had continued to do so under the guise of "scientific research" after the International Whaling Commission (IWC) global moratorium on commercial whaling. This had led to international criticism of the hypocrisy of this justification. In 2019, Japan left the IWC to escape the moratorium and officially resumed commercial whaling in its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone.

294 whales killed in 2023

In 2023, Japan killed 294 whales. Historically, whale meat has been a key source of protein in Japan, particularly after World War II. Today, the country continues to practice whaling, despite international criticism and calls to end the tradition.