http ://www.icrwhale.org
The Institute of Cetacean Research : (ICR , , Nihon Geirui Kenkyjo ? ) is a non-profit research organisation in Japan specializing in the 'biological and social sciences related to whales .' [1]
Its research methods include lethal sampling techniques which have been the source of international controversy over the validity and necessity of the research. Some environmental groups and governments oppose this program, claiming it to be a disguise for commercial whaling , which is banned by the International Whaling Commission (IWC ).
History [ edit ]
The Institute for Cetacean Research was founded in 1987. It took over from the Whales Research Institute (founded in 1947), which grew out of the Nakabe Scientific Research Centre (founded in 1941). The New Zealand based spokesman for the group is the public relations agent Glenn Inwood .
The Whales Research Institute conducted research based on catches from commercial whaling . The International Whaling Commission (IWC ) established a moratorium on commercial whaling after 1986; the ICR was established the following year to continue the scientific research. [2]
Regulations [ edit ]
Japanese whaling fell sharply after the global commercial whaling moratorium . The ICR may still take whales for scientific purposes ; the meat is sold.
Under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW), the IWC established a global ban on commercial whaling . Article VIII , Section 1 creates an exemption, however, providing that: [3]
"... any Contracting Government may grant to any of its nationals a special permit authorizing that national to kill , take and treat whales for purposes of scientific research subject to such restrictions as to number and subject to such other conditions as [that] Government thinks fit ."
Further , Section 2 states:
"Any whales taken under these special permits shall so far as practicable be processed and the proceeds shall be dealt with in accordance with directions issued by the Government by which the permit was granted ."
Since its establishment, the Institute has been granted annual catch quotas by the Government of Japan to carry out its research. The whale meat , which is by definition a by-product of the research, is sold for domestic consumption in accordance with the Convention .
From 1988 through the first half of 2011, a total of 13,663 whales have been caught by the ICR under the above exemption for scientific research. Of those, 3,573 whales have been taken in the North Pacific Ocean , and 10,090 have been taken in the Southern Ocean , an area which in 1994 was designated as the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary by the IWC . [3] [4]
In March 2014 the International Court of Justice (ICJ ) ordered Japan to cease the JARPA II programme stating that its Antarctic whaling was in contravention of the IWC moratoria 10(e) and 10(d). [5]
Biological research including the collection of samples from the Antarctic Ocean and the North-Western Pacific Ocean under special permit from the Government of Japan ( JARPA and JARPA II programs). Samples are used for studies related to estimation of biological parameters, resource abundance , elucidation of stock structure and the role of whales in the marine ecosystem , and elucidation of the effect of environmental changes on cetaceans .
Conducted in the Southern Hemisphere and the North Pacific to elucidate trends in abundance , density , distribution , and behavior of whales . These surveys include the IWC Southern Ocean Whale and Ecosystem Research (SOWER) Program .
Conducted to document and clarify the relationship of man and whales from the social , cultural , historical , economical , and dietary culture aspects.
The ICR also conducts research with the objective of promoting normalization of IWC activities in line with the ICRW objective of the sustainable utilization of whale resources .
Specific ICR research programs include:
Development of a whale products distribution surveillance system using genetic techniques including the creation of a database for the determination of species and place (sea area ) of origin, and establishment of individual identification techniques;
Development of age assessment techniques using age characteristics, including chemical analysis ; [6]
Research on natural marks identification;
Research on the bioaccumulation of heavy metals and environmental chemicals such as organic chlorine compounds;
Research concerning improvement and development of whale capture /harvesting techniques;
JARPA[ edit ]
The research program took place near Antarctica from 1988 to 2005. Its stated objectives were to determine mortality rates , whale stock numbers and structure , the role of whales in the Antarctic ecosystem and how environmental changes affect whales . The whaling operation alternated between several pre-established areas intending to take 400 or more minke whales per season .
In 1997 the IWC scientific committee officially reviewed the JARPA program. The committee expected reasonable precision and usefulness of the data collected but disagreed on whether lethal methods were necessary. It was also noted that the results could potentially allow for an increase in the number of minke whales annually taken. [7]
In the final 2007 review the committee agreed with the initial 1997 mid assessment . It recognized that progress had been made in identifying stock structure and at least two stocks were found in the research area . Agreed estimates of abundance could not be developed and preliminary estimates may only reflect major changes in abundance over a long time line. Problems were identified with age and mortality rate data . Krill-related work was welcomed but relatively little progress was made toward understanding the role of whales in the Antarctic ecosystem . Data on pollution was also welcomed but disagreement continued over the analysis of the results. Levels of toxic pollutants were lower in Antarctic whales than those sampled in the Northern hemisphere . [7] [8]
The commission made note of the fact that the catches took place in the IWC established Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary and that improving management of whaling in a sanctuary is unnecessary. The 2007-1 resolution on JARPA is one of several calling on Japan by majority vote to suspend its lethal research. [7] [9]
JARPA II [ edit ]
Like its predecessor, the research whaling program takes place near Antarctica . Starting in 2005 and continuing to the present day , objectives include monitoring the Antarctic ecosystem , modeling competition between whale species , recording changes in stock structure and improving future management of Antarctic whales . The program calls for hunting 850 or more Antarctic minke whales , 50 fin whales and 50 humpback whales per season . [7] Note , however, that the quota for humpback whales has not yet been implemented , due to intense international opposition .
Disagreement over the value of the research, the use of lethal methods and the sample sizes continued