In the beginning of the Northern hemisphere spring , I asked if
1) Iceland would export Fin whales to Japan
2) Norway would fill its whaling quota
Now we know the answers to these questions.
Iceland will not renew its permits for commercial whaling due to lack of an export market to Japan .
And what about Norway?
According to Reuters:
“Norwegian whalers caught just over half their quota of 1,052 minke whales in 2007, a small rise from last year, but hunters and their opponents dispute whether regulations or dwindling demand cut back the catch”
Rune Frövik from the High North Alliance stated that whalers could have killed about 200 more minke whales if the Government haven’t imposed restrictions on whaling. ( Restrictions to whale in coastal areas).
According to Greenpeace Norway, few whales were hunted due to a lack of demand from Norwegians.
“Environmental group Greenpeace, which condemns whaling, said declining demand explained why fewer whales had been caught than the quota set by the Norwegian government allowed.
“Whalers have been stopped by economic interest because there is no market for whale meat in Norway or elsewhere. Even if they could catch more … they chose not to,” said Truls Gulowsen, manager of Greenpeace Norway”
But Rune has said that despite the regulations, 2007 had still proved to be a better season than 2006 for the whalers.
“Prices have increased, more volume has been caught. Weather conditions have been good compared to 2006.”
[from Ann Novek, Sweden]
Jennifer Marohasy BSc PhD is a critical thinker with expertise in the scientific method.
Excerpt from Sea Shepherds website:
“The Willassen Senior is the fifth Norwegian whaling vessel to come under attack for illegal whaling activities since 1992. The complete list to date includes:
The Nybraena – scuttled dockside in December 1992 (Reine, Lofoten Islands).
The Senet – Scuttled dockside in January 1994 (Fredricksberg, Norway).
The Elin-Toril – Severely damaged in 1997.
The Morild – Sunk in 1998.
The Williassen Senior – Sunk in August 2007 (Svolvaer, Lofoten Islands).
However, the Norwegian Coast Guard seems quite sure that the Williassen Senior has not been under attack by anti whalers –something that both SS and whalers claim.
The hull of the whaling boat did not show any signs of damage…
Whalers still recommend whaling boats owners to patrul and check their boats during the night.
Personally , I doubt as well that the whaling boat was sunk due to sabotage.
The whaling season is over and the whaling boats have cocessions to cod and herring fishery as well.
Excerpts from Iceland Review:
” Praise for the ministry’s decision came from as far away as New Zealand where Conservation Minister Chris Carter told the Associated Press: “[…] Iceland’s official recognition that there is no market for this meat could finally encourage Japan to stop its expanded ‘scientific’ whaling program and leave the Antarctic whales in peace.” Although, considering Japan’s stance towards ceasing whaling in the past, this seems unlikely”
” According to Gudfinnsson’s statement, at this stage there won’t be any commercial whaling until at least September next year. ”
Link to the article:
http://icelandreview.com/icelandreview/daily_life/?cat_id=16539&ew_0_a_id=288850
“Whalers have been stopped by economic interest because there is no market for whale meat in Norway or elsewhere. Even if they could catch more … they chose not to,” said Truls Gulowsen, manager of Greenpeace Norway ”
Dear oh Dear … Truls lying through his teeth ( again ) …
There´s a fine local market for whale meat in Norway, especially in the North :)…
I really sometimes wonder if GP selects its spokesmen based on their tenious grasp of reality at times – either that or on their ability to spout the most ridiculous garbage with a straight & serious face …
…
Greenpeace’s favourite statement is that they have crasched the local demand for whale meat and still they say they are ” satisfied” that the quota is about 600 animal year after year.
They see this as a victory…
We know as well that according to the whalers the domestic market can’t swallow more than about 1000 minkes.
Must agree with George that there seems to be a demand for whale meat… I mean Norway has a population of about 5? million people and consume 600 minkes compared to Japan that kills over 1000 minkes with a population about 120 million. If you look it that way IMO it seems like the Norwegians ( at least locally in the North) are consumers of whale meat…
” I really sometimes wonder if GP selects its spokesmen based on their tenious grasp of reality at times – either that or on their ability to spout the most ridiculous garbage with a straight & serious face …”- George
Actually Greenpeace Norway is not especially interested in whaling. Truls Gulowsen is the guy who made the statement that ” whaling takes away focus from more important issues” and ” Norwegian whaling is sustainable”.
Guess though when international journalists from AP or Reuters pop up they must hold to the ” official party line” . Greenpeace and other NGOs must in this case show some ” victories” as well, so that’s why they say the demand for whale meat is low.
On Greenpeace’s sites you also get the impression that Iceland has not issued permits for commercial whaling due to pressure from Greenpeace , but as Iceland Review wrote in the above article, Mr Gudfinnssons decion had hardly nothing to do with Greenpeace’s ” Icelandic pledge” ( to visit Iceland if whaling ends).
Hey Ann,
I’m wondering whether the Icelanders wouldn’t permit whaling again before September next year, if indeed they do get access to the J-market. The sooner the revenue starts coming in, the sooner their decision can be justified 🙂
This is a good read about humpback stock ‘X’, for those who didn’t see it already:
http://lloydslist.com/ll/news/viewArticle.htm?articleId=1189094713926
” I’m wondering whether the Icelanders wouldn’t permit whaling again before September next year, if indeed they do get access to the J-market. The sooner the revenue starts coming in, the sooner their decision can be justified :)” – David
Frankly I have no clue. The Icelanders are also very secretive when it comes to whaling issues.
The question here is why the Japanese decision is taking so long time. Maybe there is a cultural difference. The Japanese have told that MAYBE the Icelanders would get access to the J-market , and a maybe means NO.
Another strange thing in this whole affaire is the contamination issue. The Japanese say the Nordic whales are too contaminated , still they eat and allow people eat contaminated Japanese cetacean meat. Strange indeed…
Hi Ann,
I don’t know the extent of the impact, but the Ministry in charge of whaling (MAFF, who also issue the stockpile figures) has had no less than 4 different Ministers this year. The government as a whole is not so popular now (over bungling of other bread and butter issues).
Anyway, I’m not sure who exactly needs to sign off these trade negotiation packages that the Icelanders are talking about anyway.
Another thing (I may not have mentioned much if at all) is that the JFA has been reported (at least here in the Japanese media) as looking at options of resuming commercial whaling ahead of the next IWC meeting. If they are going to re-open commercial whaling then I guess they may want to give their local people a chance to secure their market before letting foreign product in, so perhaps this sort of move is a pre-requisite.
As for contamination, I get the feeling that this isn’t such an issue either (for slightly different reasons). Even with north pacific whales some parts aren’t used for human consumption, but a few contaminated bits doesn’t mean the whole lot is not safe for eating.
According to Greenpeace Sweden:
http://weblog.greenpeace.org/sverige/2007/09/hej_da_valfangst.html
have the Norwegian whalers made a huge loss of money , many millions, this season, according to information received from Norwegian fisheries paper Fiskeribladet.
I see it’s a big ” propaganda war” between the opponents, Greenpeace vs whalers ( the High North Alliance ) with contradicting statements made from both parts.
Greenpeace say that the whalers probably will blame the bad result on bad weather conditions , but actually it’s market forces that are in play.
Rune from the High North Alliance said weather conditions have been good and that the volume has increased.
Greenpeace Sweden continues that the opposition against Norwegian and Japanese whaling will continue , but methinks again it’s very strange that Greenpeace Norway’s site have not been updated for half a decade and NEVER mentions Norwegian whaling…..
Just forget about Greenpeace and you’ll find you have at least another 20 minutes of time each day 😉
Unless they come up with something really original I’ll be following my own advice.
David, probably I should just leave it, but it’s kind of interesting to see what soup of half truths/ half lies they are cooking up !
Take the statement that the whalers had lost many millions this season ( information received from Fiskeribladet)for example.
I have personally read the article as well. The whalers blamed it on politicians that had banned coastal whaling and the whalers had paid in advance for penthrite grenades etc. This was one of the reasons why the whalers had made a big loss.
But according to GP , it was hinted it was market forces. I must admit that I’m tired of these lies and wish I could get honest and straight information…
Illegal whaling is reportedly on the increase in Korea, amidst increasing numbers of whales in Korean waters.
Apparently Korean marine officials released info on the 7th indicating 9 whales having been illegally taken in 2005, 12 last year, and a further 9 in just the first half of this year.
Since the beginning of the year until the end of June, 29 fishermen have been arrested on suspicion of illegal whaling, much more than the 18 in 2005 and the 12 from last year (there is a breakdown by region but I can’t read Korean place names).
Previously the majority of whales captured were those accidently caught in nets, but since the beginning of this year cases of direct harpooning have been revealed.
According to the officials, since whaling was banned in 1988, whale numbers have increased making it easy to catch them, and with depleted fish stocks and high oil prices, some struggling fisherpeople have started whaling illegally (they believe).
A whale in good condition is worth 30,000,000,000 won (about 30,000 USD). Officials are looking to beef up measures to clamp down.
I’ll hate myself for asking this, but where did you get the South Korea info from David?
Please Libby, don’t start hating yourself just because the debate is maybe a little hot and sensitive…
Btw, it’s interesting to note how people act on cetacean entanglements worldwide.
I read in a Norwegian paper last week , that Norwegian fishermen saved a juvenile sperm whale that had been caught by their trawling net. They cut lose the whale and it seemd at first glance unharmed and they saw the whaling blowing twice…
‘The whalers blamed it on politicians that had banned coastal whaling and the whalers had paid in advance for penthrite grenades etc.’ – Ann
Small whaling vessels (under 18.8 meters) in Norway have been given permission to hunt in the EW zone two days after hunting in the area had been officially closed. – Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, 29/06/2007
“A total of 592 whales have been caught in 2007,” Harald Dahl of Norway’s fishing association said. That is an increase of 47 whales from last year, when 545 whales were harpooned.’ – Reuters, 31 Aug 2007.
“Prices have increased, more volume has been caught. Weather conditions have been good compared to 2006” – Rune Frovik
You’ll hate yourself cos … (taking a guess) you don’t read certain foreign languages?
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20070907-00000036-yonh-kr
Actually, this is a little weird, the original article
http://www.wowkorea.jp/news/Korea/2007/0521/10026249.html
is dated 5/21, and contains “21” in the article, instead of “7”, as in the new yahoo version out today. The yahoo version also talks about June, whereas the original talks about April. Bizarre, and unfortunately if the original one is correct then the news is even worse.
Hmmmm, weird, the original article also has some different information that doesn’t appear in the Yahoo version. Apparently “until April” 168 whales were by-caught, with 2 of 4 caught in Pusan taken illegally. That’s pretty high level of by-catch.
Here’s the Norwegian article that Greenpeace is refering to :
http://www.fiskeribladet.no/default.asp?side=101&lesmer=5153
Sorry, only in Norwegian ( I have already translated this article on another whaling thread).
But whalers have made a profit of 22 million NOK this year but probably losing 20 million NOK this year and next year , due to buying penthrite grenades etc in advance.
” Small whaling vessels (under 18.8 meters) in Norway have been given permission to hunt in the EW zone two days after hunting in the area had been officially closed. – Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, 29/06/2007″
And how many are under 18.8m ? Do some research.. those lazy sods at wdcs have´nt bothered have they?
How many whales were they allowed to hunt? do some research :op
and I get accused of being ” disingenious ” ROFLMFAO
” ” Small whaling vessels (under 18.8 meters) in Norway have been given permission to hunt in the EW zone two days after hunting in the area had been officially closed. – Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, 29/06/2007″
Yeah, much research is not needed as I have already posted the answers on another whaling thread!
FYI, I can mention that finally 2 whaling boats participated in the coastal whaling and were allowed to catch 20 tons of whale meat…figure out how many minkes this is!
Original article can be found in Norwegian paper Fiskaren.
‘I get accused of being ” disingenious “‘ – George
No surprise really –
‘The minke whalers are fishermen who turn to whaling in the summer months, which is the low season for fishing. A whaling vessel is an ordinary small fishing boat, 50 to 80 feet long, specially fitted out for whaling.’ – Norwegian Embassy Website, India.
“A total of 592 whales have been caught in 2007,” Harald Dahl of Norway’s fishing association said. That is an INCREASE OF 47 WHALES from last year, when 545 whales were harpooned.’ – Reuters, 31 Aug 2007.
“Prices have increased, MORE VOLUME HAS BEEN CAUGHT. Weather conditions have been good compared to 2006” – Rune Frovik
Thank you David. Er no, I wasn’t going to hate myself because “the debate is maybe a little hot and sensitive…” or becasue I “don’t read certain foreign languages?”
This is an observant comment IMO:
” “It is remarkable that not only have the Norwegian whalers failed to meet the annual quota for the last five years running, they have only ever met the overall quota once in the last ten years. Yet the Norwegian Government continues to set a quota twice the apparent demand of either the market or the whalers, allocating a portion of the quota to a distant area where the whalers rarely travel to hunt. One explanation for this inconsistency may be that the Government perceives that setting these high quotas raises political pressure at international fora such as CITES and the IWC” said WDCS whaling expert, Philippa Brakes.”
As far as I have understood , the next whaling season will be similar to this years hunt, but next autumn negotiations will be held with scientists to estimate the whale population. ( Methinks they do this every 5 year). This means new quotas etc.
Now the Icelandic whale hunting is closed and according to the Icelandic Minke Whalers Association , 39 minkes have been killed in the scientific hunt and 6 in the commercial hunt.
The meat has sold well during the summer and is now in the freezers….
http://www.hrefna.is
Phillipa Brakes seems to be suggesting that it’s strange that the quotas are not set taking demand into account.
If you take demand into account you run a risk of compromising your process and setting bad precedents.
Quotas should be set so as not to see the resource excessively depleted, i.e., to maintain the resource at highly productive levels.
Whatever number comes out of that is the number that those exploiting the quotas have to work within. The whalers are doing that, so where is the problem??
Hi Anne, for your info
“but next autumn negotiations will be held with scientists to estimate the whale population. ( Methinks they do this every 5 year)”
There are no “negotiations” the population estimates are worked out by the scientists and presented to the IWC SC committee ( in Chile next year I believe )
Hi George,
Thanks for the clarification.
Excerpt from Fiskeribladet:
” I følge statsråden vil estimatet ligge til grunn for en ny stortingsmelding om landets sjøpattedyrpolitikk neste år. ”
So it seems like the Norwegian Parliament will discuss a new marine mammal policy based on the new population estimate.
Very interesting….
” Phillipa Brakes seems to be suggesting that it’s strange that the quotas are not set taking demand into account.” -David
One reason why the quotas are set higher than the demand might be that the whaling nations have long time goals to resume big scale commercial whaling…
Contradicting statements:
WDCS : In addition, Iceland’s five year ‘scientific’ hunt has finally ended, and so far there have been no reports of any new research permits.
On the other hand a Norwegian site states that the scientific hunt will continue.
Personally methinks there will be a small quota for the domestic market