Take action now to save at-risk whales facing slaughter within Japan's EEZ >>

Jack, 

 

In May 2024, Japan announced it would expand its commercial whaling operations to include the fin whale. This species was severely depleted after decades of whaling. While their numbers have generally improved since the International Whaling Commission’s (IWC) moratorium on commercial whaling they are still classed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List. There is no information about their population status in Japanese waters.

 

Japan resumed its controversial whale hunting season and killed its first fin whale earlier this month. Despite the moratorium on commercial whaling, Japan continues to hunt whales found within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Japan's annual kill list includes 59 fin whales, 25 sei whales, 150 Bryde's whales and 142 minke whales.

 

Whaling is cruel, unnecessary, and outdated. We are calling on Japan to end its commercial whaling program now.  We ask Japan to honor its international legal obligations under customary international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to cooperate with the IWC on the conservation, management, and study of whales. Will you sign our petition and make your voice heard for whales?

 

It's time to take action and stop the suffering. Commercial whaling undermines international efforts to conserve and protect whales. It may also damage the long-term viability of this whale population. And on the most basic ethical level, it will cause significant pain and prolonged suffering to individual whales. The science is clear, this species is suffering because of human activity, and we must take increased action immediately if we want to save this species before it’s too late.

 

Our Marine Campaigns team will be attending this year's IWC meeting in Peru on Monday 23 September where this distressing issue will be discussed.

 

Please sign our petition before midnight on Thursday 19 September so your voice will be heard in time for this historic event!  We will deliver your signatures by hand to the Japanese Embassy in London the following day.

 

Let's come together to ensure that global protection of this precious species is non-negotiable and that Japan ends its cruel commercial whaling programme without delay.

 

For the whales,

 

Sharon Livermore

Marine Conservation Programme Director

Daily Kos, PO Box 70036, Oakland, CA, 94612.