Curbs on ‘Scientific’ Whaling Anger Japan, Iceland Delegates

Iceland and Japan reacted angrily Friday to a move by the International Whaling Commission against the commercial hunting of whales disguised as scientific research.

Japanese Whaling Commissioner Tatsuo Saito announced that he is quitting his job in protest. In Reykjavik, the Icelandic government bitterly criticized the United States for taking the lead in cracking down on whaling.

On the final day of a meeting at this English seaside resort, the commission asked Japan, Iceland and South Korea to halt so-called scientific whaling programs under which 1,155 whales were to be killed this year and 11,340 over the next 12 years--most by Japan.

The commission, urged on by the U.S. delegation, Thursday tightened a loophole in its charter that has allowed scientific whaling, a term used by countries that kill whales ostensibly to study them for clues to their population and living habits. It decided to strictly monitor permits of this type issued by member governments.

The commission’s own scientists will determine whether the research really adds to knowledge of whale populations.

Britain’s representative, agriculture minister John Gummer, said he is delighted with the commission’s decision and invited representatives of the Save the Whale campaign to advise him on what should be done next.

“We must ensure that commercial whaling does not continue under the guise of scientific research,” Gummer said in a prepared statement. “The message from the IWC is clear: The killing of whales for commercial purposes cannot and must not continue.”

Saito, who heads Japan’s delegation to the conference, charged that a bloc of 16 countries in the commission constantly voted against Japan, the largest consumer of whale meat.

“All Japanese will be infuriated,” he said. “I have become more and more disappointed at the decisions taken here.”

Icelandic Fishing Minister Halldor Asgrimmsson hinted that his country might pull out of the organization. “If a majority within the commission stops whaling for scientific purposes, then we have no reason to participate,” he said.

He assailed the U.S. role, saying, “We did not expect this from a nation we regard as our friends.”