THE INSTITUTE OF CETACEAN RESEARCHTOYOMI SHINKO BLDG. 4-5 TOYOMI-CHO CHUO-KU TOKYO 104-0055 JAPAN

PHONE: +81-3-3536-6521
www.whalesci.org

FAX: +81-3-3536-6522
www.icrwhale.org

MEDIA RELEASE
28 February 2002

CRITICISM OF RESEARCH PROGRAM IS ANTI-SCIENCE
The Director General of the Institute of Cetacean Research in Tokyo, Dr. Seiji Ohsumi, today
responded to criticism of its new research plan.
“Japan’s plan to increase its whale research program is based on urgent scientific need to collectdata on the competition between whales and fisheries,” said Dr. Ohsumi. “It is estimated thatwhales consume 3 to 5 times the amount of marine resources as are caught for human consumption,so our whale research is providing valuable information required for improving the management of
all our marine resources.”“Research on the role of whales in the ecosystem and in particular the consumption of fish bywhales is supported many international fisheries organizations including the United Nations’ Foodand Agriculture Organization (FAO). Even the IWC adopted a resolution last year making thestudy of interactions between whales and fisheries a priority.”“Japan is simply doing what the IWC said was a priority,” Dr. Ohsumi said.
Over the past two years, a total of 140 minke whales, 93 Bryde’s whales and 13 sperm whales weresampled. The proposed program involves sampling of 150 minke whales, 50 Bryde’s whales, 50 sei
and 10 sperm whales each year.
“These species were chosen because they are abundant in the north Pacific and they are very large
animals – this means they consume huge amounts of marine resources,” he said.
“From a scientific point of view, we need to include Sei whales since they have the second highest
biomass in the region following sperm whales. The planned increase in the number of minke
whales to be sampled is required so that inshore areas where the competition between whales andfisheries is likely to be greatest can be sampled.”
Calculations show that the effect of the research catches on the abundance of whales will benegligible. Even with these catches, the stocks will continue to increase,” he added.
“Based on the success of the past research and increasingly strong support from international
fisheries organizations, including FAO, for research to improve multi-species approaches tomanagement, Japan is convinced that its research effort should be increased.”(more to come)(Page 2 of 2 – Criticism of Research Program is Anti-Science)
He explained: “The priority for the research is to determine what whales are eating, where and howmuch. This information along with oceanographic and fisheries data are required as input forecosystem models that will improve fisheries management.”
Japan has conducted a whale research program in the western North Pacific since 1994 underSpecial Permit as provided for under Article VIII of the International Convention for theRegulation of Whaling (ICRW).
Japan has submitted the research plan to the IWC Scientific Committee to continue its whale
research in the North Pacific.
The proposal, which under IWC rules is supposed to remain confidential until after it has beenreviewed by the Scientific Committee, has been leaked. Dr. Ohsumi said “this is just anotherflagrant violation of IWC rules by someone opposed to whaling and a demonstration of thecontinuing dysfunctional nature of the IWC. This research program that should be judged on its
scientific merits rather than emotional rhetoric. The Scientific Committee has commented that ourresearch is providing valuable scientific information.”
Dr. Ohsumi explained that the program includes both lethal and non-lethal research. Heemphasized that the study of the diet of whales cannot be done using only non-lethal means. He
also noted that comments from the Scientific Committee’s review of the proposed program would
be considered following this year’s meeting of the IWC and before initiation of the program.
“It is important to understand that the proposed research is perfectly legal under the International
Convention for the Regulation of Whaling and that it has a sound scientific basis.”ENDS
For further information see attached Background document and Questions and Answers
For more information, contact Joji Morishita, Deputy Director of the Far Seas Fisheries
Division of Japan’s Fisheries Agency. Mr Morishita is currently at theAscot Metropolitan Hotel, Auckland, New Zealand0064 9 300 8800