The Humpbacks Are Spared... For Now

by Sheril R. Kirshenbaum     Department: Health & Life Sciences

Apparently Japan noticed not all of us were thrilled over their plans to kill more than 1,000 whales in the name of 'scientific whaling'.

What caused the public outcry? Well, while commercial whaling has been banned altogether since 1986, Japan hunts whales annually in the name of... errr.... 'research'. And this year they included 50 humpbacks in their intended harvest which raised more than a few eyebrows around the world. You see, it's estimated there are only about 10,000 remaining on our planet--relatively low numbers considering we had about 240,000 coursing about the North Atlantic pre-whaling.

So last month, everyone was up in arms as Japan launched its fleet off Antarctica in the first major hunt of humpbacks since the 1960s. The move wasn't great for public relations, and would you know it... turns out all the hullabaloo has made a difference.

According to The New York Times, Japan has halted the humpback hunt pending further discussion with the International Whaling Commission.

Giving in to U.S. pressure and worldwide criticism, Japan's government on Friday announced a whaling fleet now in the Southern Ocean for its annual hunt will not kill the threatened species as originally planned. The fleet will, however, kill some 935 minke whales, a smaller, more plentiful species, and 50 fin whales.

This is good news for a threatened species. Of course, for minke whales, 'scientific whaling' still means troubled waters.

Tags: marine science whales

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