But IWC scientists state this research is not necessary because the Southern Ocean where the Japanes kill most whales are a whales sanctuary, and that even if it was, it could be done without killing whales. Japan also says that whales are destroying valuable fish stocks. Again, this is untrue. Fish, not whales, are the major predators of the fish we humans eat. And killing whales will not halt overfishing, which is the major cause of fishery decline.
Japan has a long history of defying international whaling laws.
Though an IWC member, Japan illegally bought whale meat from other nations that caught whales outside IWC rules. Japan also managed and controlled whaling operations in such non-IWC countries. Japan even illegally bought meat from pirate whaling boats. One example was the infamous Sierra whaler, which killed endangered whale species, including nursing mothers, and juvenile whales. Illegal activities like these made commercial whaling impossible to control.