THE INSTITUTE OF CETACEAN RESEARCHTOYOMI SHINKO BLDG. 4-5 TOYOMI-CHO CHUO-KU TOKYO 104-0055 JAPAN
PHONE: +81-3-3536-6521
FAX: +81-3-3536-6522
http://www.icrwhale.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
31 March 2005

WHALE RESEARCH VESSELS RETURN TO PORT(TOKYO) –Japan’s whale research vessels have returned to their home ports in Japan having completed
the final year of an 18 year research program in the Antarctic. “We are pleased to welcome
home the fleet. The research program has been truly successful having produced valuable
information on the Antarctic ecosystem which will provide the basis for improving future
research and a comprehensive management of Antarctic marine resources,” the Director
General of The Institute of Cetacean Research, Dr. Hiroshi Hatanaka said.
In 1982, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) adopted the moratorium oncommercial whaling on the grounds of insufficient scientific knowledge concerning whales.
In order to solve the scientific uncertainties and pave the way for the resumption ofsustainable commercial whaling, Japan began a research program – the Japanese Whale
Research Program under Special Permit in the Antarctic (JARPA) conducted under Article
VIII of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling.
Dr. Hatanaka said the last 18 years of research in the Antarctic had provided a wide varietyof important information on biological characteristics, such as natural mortality and changes
in the age of maturity of minke whales, and other relevant factors necessary for sustainable
management under a commercial whaling regime.
He also explained that there is a major shift occurring among baleen whale species where weare witnessing a surprisingly rapid growth in the abundance of fin and humpback whales in
the Antarctic and a possible slowing in the increased abundance of minke whales.
“Understanding this major shift as well as the effects of worldwide climate changes,
including global warming, is required as the basis for ensuring sustainable use of theseabundant resources,” he said.
Results of the research program have been submitted to the Scientific Committee of the IWC
every year.
He said “the results of the research programs will contribute to the establishment of a newand improved management system for whales, based on the ecosystem approach which
would allow for conservation, recovery of depleted species and sustainable use.”
Japan’s whale research program has involved both non-lethal research such as sighting
surveys and biopsy sampling as well as research that requires the take of minke whales. TheInternational Whaling Commission’s Scientific Committee reviewed the results of the(more to follow)

program at its half-way point in 1997 and commended both the quality and quantity of data.
The Committee noted that the program has “provided considerable data for improving themanagement of Antarctic minke whales.
“While opponents of sustainable whaling characterize our research program as ‘commercial
whaling in disguise’ it has been pointed out at the IWC Scientific Committee that using only
non-lethal means to obtain this information are unlikely to be successful in the Antarctic,” Dr.
Hatanaka said.
Dr. Hatanaka reiterated also that the Convention requires the by-products of the research beprocessed. “The fact that the whale meat is sold is actually a requirement of the whaling
treaty to ensure that resources are not wasted. Income from the sale of by-products (meat) isused to help offset the cost of the research.”“Criticism of Japan’s whale research program based on emotional reasons ignores bothscience and international law and is a rejection of the basic principle that resources should bemanaged on a scientific basis,” he said. “Sustainable use and proper management of all
marine resources should be based on scientific findings. Indeed, the International
Convention for the Regulation of Whaling requires that its regulations be based on scientificfindings.”
Dr. Hatanaka said Japan’s whale research program is legal under the terms of the Convention,
which provides that IWC member countries can issue permits for the killing of whales forresearch purposes. “The Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary and the IWC moratorium applyonly to commercial whaling, and not to research.”

For further information
Contact: The Institute of Cetacean Research
Tel: +81-3-3536-6521 Fax: +81-3-3536-6522
Visit http://www.icrwhale.org(more to follow)