Countries that Kill Whales
This is a partial list of countries which are involved in whaling activities and the types and numbers of whales that they actually kill. It is NOT intended to be extensive nor complete. These numbers can change at any given time. The article was originally compiled by Nick Voth, dcasmedic@aol.com
- Norway:
Kills 300+ Minke every year. (670 by 1998)
- Canada:
Kills 2,600 Beluga every year out of total population of 55,000.
The IWC has recommended total protection for Belugas.
The IWC has been ignored.
- Russia:
Kills 200 Beluga every year.
Wants to resume full scale commercial whaling.
Plans to kill at least 200 Gray whales this year.
- Alaska:
Kill 1,000 Beluga.
Kill Bowhead whales every year. Total population less than 2000 animals.
Killing by the Inuit protected as, "subsistance hunting."
- Greenland:
Kills 1,500 Beluga every year.
- Japan:
Kills 500+ Minke whales every year.(400+ Antarctica, 100 Northwest Pacific)
Kills Pilot whales and Baird's Beaked whales - Coastal whaling.
Considering killing Byrdes' whales.
- Denmark:
Kills 3,500 pilot whales every year.
- Chile:
Considering resumption of full scale commercial whaling.
- Peru:
Considering resumption of full scale commercial whaling.
- Korea:
Considering resumption of full scale commercial whaling.
This list totals at least 14,400 whales. It DOES NOT INCLUDE any projected numbers for Chile, Peru, Korea, Russia or Norway. Those countries and others are considering plans to resume commercial whaling, but have not yet published their estimated yearly kills or schedules. With the United States' failure to enforce sanctions, the doors are opened to any other country which would like to resume whaling activities. The whale population cannot stand for such an increase in killing. If only a fraction of the killing that once existed begins again, the world's whales will, once again, be placed in dire danger of extinction.
Electronic distribution by:
Nick Voth
Email: dcasmedic@aol.com
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