Marine mammals
From ANIMAL PEOPLE, December 1993:
The Japanese whaler Nisshin Maru sailed from
Yokosuka November 12 on a five-month “research” mission.
The vessel killed 330 whales last year, also for
“research”––but most of the whales’ meat was sold. Just two
days earlier, Swedish authorities intercepted 3.5 tons of whale
meat in an illegal air cargo shipment from Norway to South
Korea, apparently for resale to Japan. Norway killed 226
whales this year, including 157 under a self-assigned 160-
whale commercial quota, of which 56% were females and 69%
of those were pregnant. “These animals are larger than the
males and therefore produce more meat per catch,” explained
Chris Stroud of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.
“That the Norwegians seem to be killing the elements responsi-
ble for the recovery of the population does not seem to be a
consideration. Their only thought is to maximize commercial
advantage.”
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration is seeking an extension of marine mammal
protection laws to require a special permit for the exhibition of
seals, sea lions, whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and threatened
or endangered fish species, as well as for research on captive
members of these species.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare
announced November 5 in London, England, that the province
of Newfoundland, Canada, has sold a permit to collect 60,000
seal penises to Chinese exporter Tsiu Wong––who will pay seal
hunters up to $50 apiece for them. Newfoundland denied hav-
ing issued permits to anyone to collect only seal parts. More
than 100 Members of the British Parliament signed an IFAW
petition protesting the alleged deal.
Paramount Canada has discontinued holding live
dolphin shows at its Wonderland amusement park, Zoocheck
Canada marine mammal program coordinator Cathy Kinsman
said November 12. Kinsman, an accomplished singer,
protested against the shows with a music video, The Promise,
issued last summer.
