Japan has a long history of commercial whaling that dates back before the World Wars, so it is not surprising that the country wants to continue to whale. The government have gone to great lakes to overturn the International Whaling Commission's (IWC) ban on commercial whaling since it was implemented in 1987 as it threatened to pull out of the IWC multiple times. A few days ago, Japan made good on its promise and announced that it will leave the IWC as a member on June 30th, 2019.

Southern Ocean Whaling Will Stop

The country also announced that it will cease all commercial whaling activity in the Southern Ocean after 30 years of hunting under "scientific research." The whaling fleet finds it too expensive to keep hunting in the Southern Ocean.

Whaling Within Its Ocean Borders

Japan will continue its commercial whaling practices within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). A spokesperson stated that the country will abide by IWC practices and calculations for a sustainable whale populations.

Some Environmental Groups Think This Is Positive

Sea Shepherd Society are pleased with Japan's decision because now Japan will be exposed for illegally whaling and the International Whaling Commission can put pressure on them; however, I don't think this will matter much. There is an interesting article they wrote on their blog about the 8 positive things that come out of Japan's withdrawal from the IWC.

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