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Japan intends to dramatically increase its “scientific” whaling. It told the
International Whaling Commission late last month that in addition to the 100
minke whales it takes annually, it intends to catch 50 Bryde whales and 10 sperm
whales “to determine their sex, age, weight and the contents of their stomachs”.
The IWC banned commercial whaling in 1986, and some countries say Japan is
trying to flout the ban. “The whalemeat and other products are sold commercially
on the Japanese market. This loophole should be closed,” says Britain’s Ministry
of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.