The International Whaling Commission was established in 1946 to manage dwindling stocks of whales.
Quotas were set to limit the number of whales that could be killed each year for commercial use, but these
were often ignored and whale numbers continued to decrease. In 1975, the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) gave full protection to several species includ
ing the blue, grey, humpback and right whales. International pressure on the IWC continued and in 1986 it
finally put a limit on commercial whaling.
9
This is achieved by issuing scientific research permits, as killing whales for research is not
forbidden. The stated aim of the Japanese research programme is to establish sustainable whaling in the
Antarctic Ocean. Both Japan and South Korea are also permitted to trade, within their own countries, whale
meat from animals killed as an incidental result of other fishing. 10 Also, in an attempt to control
hunting, individual whales are logged on a DNA register so that they can be identified.
The value of "lethal sampling", that is, the practice of killing whales in order to study them, is a highly contentious issue. 11 On the other hand, opponents say this information is not strictly necessary,
and moreover, there are better ways to get it. The selling of whale meat from the lethal sampling to fish markets is purportedly to help fund the research. 12 El Now there is evidence to support their views.
A team of scientists, led by Professor Scott Baker, have used DNA to analyse samples of sushi from restaurants in Los Angeles and Seoul. 13 The results of the study were handed over to local and
national authorities and have since resulted in criminal proceedings against the Los Angeles restaurant.
The researchers used DNA sequencing to identify the species of whale and then used DNA profiling —
the same technique used to identify human individuals in criminal forensics — to identify the source of the meat. 14 11. In addition, some of the meat purchased in Seoul came from Antarctic minke whales, a
species which is not local to South Korea and must have therefore also been traded illegally.
Although Japanese authorities keep a DNA register of each whale destined to be sold commercially,
this information is not available for monitoring purposes. 15 As the authors state, "The illegal
trade of products from protected species of whales, presumably taken under a national permit for scientif
ic research, is a timely reminder of the need for independent, transparent and robust monitoring of any
future whaling".