Whaling ships set sail as Japan resumes commercial huntsJapan whaling ships set sail for the first commercial hunts in over three decades, with their harpoons covered while in portKUSHIRO, Japan: Whaling ships set sail on Monday from Japan as the country began its first commercial hunts in decades, after withdrawing from the International Whaling Commission. As an IWC member, Japan was banned from commercial hunts of large whales, though it could catch small varieties in waters near its coastline. He said the resumption of commercial whaling would ensure "the culture and way of life will be passed on to the next generation." Some believe that Japan's return to commercial whale hunting will effectively sound the death knell for the industry. He said commercial whaling in Japanese waters was unlikely to have much of a future given dwindling subsidies and the shrinking market for whale meat.

Source: Bangkok Post July 01, 2019 02:46 UTC