Although I am not the impassioned animal advocate that many of my friends are, I have been a long term fan and supporter of the Sea Shepherds and an opponent of brutal Japanese commercial whaling in the Antarctic under the guise if scientific research. Therefore, I am very happy to share this news.
The United Nations’ top court on Monday ordered Japan to end its annual Antarctic whale hunt, saying in a landmark ruling that the programme was a commercial activity disguised as science.
“Japan shall revoke any existent authorisation, permit or licence granted in relation to JARPA II (research programme) and refrain from granting any further permits,” said the International Court of Justice’s Judge Peter Tomka.
Agreeing with Australia, which in 2010 hauled Japan before the Hague-based ICJ in a bid to end whale hunting in the Southern Ocean, Tomka said that “special permissions granted by Japan are not for purposes of scientific research.”
“The evidence does not establish that the programme’s design and implementation are reasonable in relation to its stated (scientific) objectives,” Tomka said.
While Norway and Iceland have commercial whaling programmes in spite of a 1986 International Whaling Commission (IWC) moratorium, Japan insisted its programme was scientific, while admitting that the resulting meat ended up on plates back home.
Tokyo was accused of exploiting a legal loophole in the 1986 ban on commercial whaling that allowed the practice to collect scientific data.
Conservation groups hailed the ruling, which Japan said it would respect despite “deep disappointment”… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <Raw Story>
It just makes no sense to slaughter endangered animals far more intelligent that people who vote Republican.
13 Responses to “Good News for Whales!”
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"It just makes no sense to slaughter endangered animals far more intelligent that people who vote Republican."
My sentiments exactly!!! Great news – thank you!
I also agree with that statement. Whales are more intelligent than those voters.
Iceland needs to treat whales like its citizens, not like its bankers. The other two countries probably need to treat whales more like their bankers, but I am not an expert and am open to correction.
I can't speak anout Norway's bankers, but they are the other nation that practices whaling.
I just hope that Japan goes along with the ruling. We never know if these whale eating countries will obey any law or ruling.
"It just makes no sense to slaughter endangered animals far more intelligent that people who vote Republican."
Amen!!!!! There is only one thing in this entire world less intelligent than a Republicanus/Teabgger and that is the person who would actually vote for this ethically challenged intellectual light weight. A grade of grass has more intellect!
The comment comparing Whale intelligence to Tea party suporters made me laugh because it's so true. Japan, leave the Whales alone;–Sea Shepherd, watch them!.
Welcome, Betty! 🙂
Thanks for coming, and come back!!
Thanks all!
I worried that even including whales in the same sentance as Republicans might be too insulting to the whales!!
Apart from the insanity and lies about the whale slaughter being 'scientific' (oh please!) – they concealed the fact that there are stockpiles of slaughtered whale parts that the whale killers can't get rid of – the poor creatures are also high in PCBs and other vile things.
I do hope this ban holds – there are brave people in Japan speaking out about the wickedness and stupidity of killing whales, but it isn't easy for them.
The brave people that brought this to a head were from Australia, not Japan.
Good news…! 😆