Whaling in the Southern Ocean to be Legalized for 10 Years Under IWC ‘Peace Plan’ Proposal

Author: Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 04.23.10

“Last week we got word that a compromise plan on international whaling, which would attempt to bring Japan, Iceland, and Norway back into the fold, was forthcoming from the International Whaling Commission. Now we know a bit more: Under the sometimes-if-bizarrely-called ‘peace plan’, whaling in the Southern Ocean would be legalized for a period of ten years.

Under the proposal, 65 fin whales could be killed over a ten year period in the Southern Ocean, while in the North Pacific 500 sei whales could be taken. Both species are listed as endangered. Humpback, minke, sperm, and Bryde’s whales would also be permitted to be killed.”