Amid the usual controversy (although not from within the country), the Japan Fisheries Agency has begun its official research program to capture 120 whales. In conjunction with the Institute of Cetacean Research, the program is designed to study how the eating habits of whales affect the marine ecological system.
Preliminary research activities have been conducted since 2002, and as well as studying the whales eating habits, the mammals’ weight, length, and age will be investigated and recorded.
Oh, and once this research is completed, the whale meat will be sold at various fish markets…
BerlinBear says
Glad you posted on this. *Not* ok, in my book. There’s a BBc article on this story which suggests the number may be higher than the 120 you cite:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4436231.stm
I’ve also posted on this, here:
http://www.tblog.com/templates/index.php?bid=berlinbear&static=439115
Jason says
The whale thing is horrible. Japan has repeadately ignored pressure from the outside to cut out over hunting whales. man it bugs me…
chon says
this is a terrible thing, i dont know how these children are sliding it down their throats