From Vassili Papastavrou
If Japan is indeed going to get real over whale research (5 April, p 5), it needs to consider the implications on its activities in the North Pacific of the landmark ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against its “scientific whaling” in the Antarctic.
Paragraph 246 of the ICJ judgment states: “It is to be expected that Japan will take account of the reasoning and conclusions contained in this judgment as it evaluates the possibility of granting any future permits.”
A panel convened by the International Whaling Commission’s scientific committee made the same points about the scientific value of Japan’s whaling in the North Pacific as those contained in the ICJ judgment of the Antarctic catch. Having indicated that it will respect the ICJ judgment in the Antarctic, Japan shouldn’t issue a permit for the upcoming summer whaling season in the North Pacific.
Bristol, UK
International Fund for Animal Welfare
