No more whale hunting in the Southern Ocean!

I'm so happy with today's ruling by the International Court of Justice and I know I'm in good company! Japan can no longer continue its annual whale hunt in the Southern Ocean, where they make the majority of their catch, and the argument that it is for scientific purposes has been rejected.

"a more concentrated campaign focused in Japan has begun to see major change in the perception
 of the whaling programme at home, despite it coming at great risk and cost to campaigners"
Source: Greenpeace

Read more about it here, here and a good article about reduced Japanese support of whaling here.

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Update April 2014: "Japan says the whaling is scientific.. Tokyo is making preparations to submit a revised whaling plan for both the Pacific and the Antarctic to the International Whaling Commission by this fall.." despite the fact that, according to a recent survey of Japanese consumers "Only 4% said they consumed whale meat 'occasionally' while 10% said they ate it on 'rare occasions,'" (Source).

If you are one of the growing number of Japanese citizens who are against whaling or dolphin hunting and would like to find out more about how you can help, Japan's first open opposition group, 'Action for Marine Mammals' is an excellent place to start - go for it!

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