IFAW: Mystery surrounds origin of endangered fin whale meat

(Santiago, Chile – 24 June 2008) – More endangered fin whales may have been killed for their meat than previously reported, according to new evidence revealed at this year’s meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC).

A new report submitted to the IWC Scientific Committee meeting in Santiago, Chile, appears to confirm warnings from international researchers and conservationists that the number of whales killed each year by Japan may be being under-reported.

Naoko Funahashi, Director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) in Japan, and co-author of the report, said: “The government of Japan is unable to regulate the sale of whale meat in the country. DNA testing proves more fin whales are being sold in Japan than the government admits having killed.”

The research team, led by Dr Scott Baker of Oregon State University, analysed DNA from 99 whale meat products purchased in Japanese markets since 2006 and identified six baleen whale species – humpback, fin, sei, Bryde’s, North Pacific minke and Antarctic minke.

In the case of the fin whales, the study used methods similar to human forensic genetics to identify products from a total of 15 individuals for sale in 2006 and 2007. However, the government of Japan reported a total of only 13 fin whales killed under its scientific whaling programme during the same period.

Official records of whales entangled and killed in fisheries nets, known as bycatch, do not seem to account for the additional fin whale meat in the market. Although the government of Japan claims to have DNA records for each whale killed, it refuses to share the information. After considering the new report, the IWC’s Scientific Committee again urged Japan to provide such data to help detect any illegal, unreported or unregulated (IUU) catches.

Previous DNA studies have indicated that a variety of protected species are sold in Japan under the cover of products obtained by “scientific” whaling and as fisheries bycatch.

“The government of Japan claims it can regulate whaling and the whale meat trade. In truth, it can’t do either,” said Robbie Marsland, Director of IFAW UK.

“Now that same government is calling for compromise at the IWC while steadfastly refusing to share data. Ending the sham of scientific whaling would be a good first step on both fronts.”

Japan’s so-called scientific whaling programme has been criticised worldwide as commercial whaling by another name. It currently exploits a loophole in IWC regulations, which allows for lethal whale research. The IWC has on numerous occasions called on Japan to end its whaling programme, saying it bears no relevance to cetacean management goals.

For more information on whaling and how to help protect whales visit www.stopwhaling.co.uk

Ends

For more information on the report, photographs or to arrange interviews, please contact Jacob Levenson in Santiago, (56) 9 9323 0256, mobile +1 (508) 648-3570, or email jlevenson@ifaw.org. Broadcast quality video, still images, and factsheets are available at: www.thenewsmarket.com/ifaw