Japan has launched a new whaling expedition in Antarctica, with the Japanese Government calling it scientific research. The fleet is now on its way to conduct the expedition in the Antarctic Ocean through March.
Japanese vessels left Japan on Monday, November 12, to carry out what the government calls ‘research whaling’ in the Antarctic Ocean until March.
The ships aims to catch 333 minke whales in the Japan’s fourth whaling expedition since their resumption in 2015, according to the government.
Japan had temporarily suspended research whaling after the International Court of Justice decided in 2014 that the whaling program was “not for purposes of scientific research” and ordered its suspension.
After that, the Japanese government submitted a new plan to the International Whaling Commission, putting a limit to the catch to a third of what it was. Japan has been catching whales in the region for scientific research since 1987, but this program has received criticism.
Commenting on the occasion, the captain of one of the ships said that the team wants to conduct the research and return safely. However, a marine scientist from the Otago University, Professor Liz Slooten critisized the project.
Professor Slooten also noted that whaling is not sustainable, as these animals are slow-breeding.
