Japan Resumes Commercial Whale Hunting, Leaves IWC

In a recent announcement, Japan confirmed that it would be leaving the International Whaling Commission (IWC) with plans to recommence commercial whale hunting within its territorial waters and exclusive economic zones from July 2019. The IWC was established in 1946 to regulate and conserve the worldwide population of whales and cetaceans. In 1986, due to some species being in danger of extinction, the commission instituted a ban on commercial whaling.

Japan had previously attempted to convince the IWC to permit commercial whaling given that specific breeds’ populations were large enough to sustain regulated hunting. However, this proposal face strong opposition from anti-whaling nations such as Australia, the European Union, and the United States. With its withdrawal from the IWC, Japan now joins Iceland and Norway in openly disregarding the IWC’s prohibition on commercial whaling.

The Implications of Leaving the IWC

Departing from the IWC allows Japanese whalers to resume the hunt of minke and other whales currently protected by the IWC, within Japan’s coastal waters. Japan, however, won’t continue its so-called scientific research hunts in the Antarctic, which are under the exception of the Antarctic Treaty and only permissible for IWC members.

Japan has contended that the IWC has failed to uphold its original dual mandate set in 1946 to balance the conservation of whale stocks with the orderly progress of the whaling industry.

Whaling in Japan Through the Centuries

Whaling has been a practice in Japan for several centuries, with the meat becoming a vital protein source in the period following World War II. The Japanese government argues that whaling is an integral part of the nation’s traditions, and withdrawing from the IWC would let fishermen carry on this rich whaling culture to the next generation. Japan’s whaling activities have supported local communities and influenced a culture and lifestyle intertwined with whales.

International Criticism of Japan’s Decision

Critics argue that by leaving the IWC, Japan undermines multilateralism and sets a worrying precedent for conservation, potentially posing serious adverse consequences for global whale populations. According to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), Japan has habitually exploited a legal loophole allowing whales to be killed for “scientific research” purposes before being sold commercially.

Conservationists warn that this decision could exacerbate existing threats to the marine ecosystem, including climate change and marine pollution from plastics, chemicals, and noise.

The Role and Importance of the International Whaling Commission (IWC)

The IWC is an inter-governmental organization focused on the conservation of whales and the regulation of whaling. The IWC operates under the legal framework of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, established in 1946. As the leading global entity responsible for whale conservation and management, the commission spearheads international efforts to combat the growing range of threats to whales worldwide. India is one of the member nations of the IWC.

The Antarctic Treaty: Its Provisions and Signatories

The Antarctic Treaty, which officially came into effect on June 23, 1961, was initially signed by 12 countries: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. India also became a party to the Antarctic Treaty.

The Treaty stipulates that Antarctica shall be used solely for peaceful purposes. It mandates the freedom of scientific investigation in Antarctica and promotes cooperation to that effect. The Treaty also calls for the free exchange and availability of scientific observations and results derived from Antarctica. Currently, India is extending its infrastructure development in Antarctica and rebuilding its station, Maitri, to last for at least 30 years.