Japan still killing whales, but moratorium holds

From ANIMAL PEOPLE, July/August 2005:

SEOUL–Japan is still killing minke, sei, Bryde’s and sperm
whales in the name of research, and will kill humpbacks this year
as well, with a total self-set “scientific” quota for the year of
935.
Norway continues killing minke whales in coastal waters, and
Iceland has resumed whaling, but all still without world approval,
as the 57th annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission
ended in Ulsan, South Korea on June 24 with no major successes for
the pro-whaling faction.
“We entered the week with a strong fear that the balance of
power within the IWC would shift to a pro-whaling majority,”
summarized Whalewatch Coalition leader Philip Lymbery. His
delegation represented the Royal SPCA, Earth Island Institute,
Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society, Whale Watch, and Humane
Society International.

“Six new pro-whaling nations joined the IWC this year,”
Lymbery continued, “countered by just three new anti-whalers.
Anti-whalers held the majority largely due to tactical lobbying and
absentees,” and India caught up on back dues and sent a delegation
just in time for the most critical ballots.
A Japanese motion to end the global moratorium on commercial
whaling was voted down 29-23.
“Japan’s ongoing scientific whaling program was condemned by
an Australian resolution, 30-27,” Lymbery added. “Welfare was
recognized as an important issue, demonstrated by a consensus
agreement to hold a workshop on the welfare implications of whaling
at next year’s IWC meeting. The cruelty of whaling was raised many
times from the floor. Undercover video of a Norwegian hunt made a
particular impact.
“On the final day,” Limbery finished, “a hostile resolution
originally proposed by Sweden, that could have threatened the
moratorium and led to more whales being killed, was voted down by an
overwhelming majority.”