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Problems with the Whaling Situation
Commercial Whaling
The International Whaling Commission, established to protect whale stocks, sets criteria for any activity involving the hunting of whales. Objections to any decision made by the IWC may be raised, provided it is done within ninety days of notification of the decision, in which case other countries will have further time to object (IWC, 2007b). Both Norway and Iceland currently continue with their commercial whaling industries under claims that the decision to set zero catch limits adversely affects respective national interests and thus does not apply. However, such objections were not made until years after the decision was made by the IWC; therefore, legal issues exist regarding this violation of the moratorium.
However, studies commissioned by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the Iceland Nature Conservation Association (INCA) have shown that demand for whale meat is very minimal in Iceland and Norway (IFAW, 2007). In addition, regulations set by CITES should prevent the export of whale meat to other countries - consumption of whale products should be limited to the country in which the whale was hunted. Japan, the country with the greatest demand for whales, would not be allowed to import any whales. With this combinationThus, lacking demand and the ability to ship whale meat, Iceland and Norway should have no reason to continue with their commercial whaling endeavors.
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Several aboriginal communities that depend on whale meat for nutrition have been allowed to hunt whales, with catch limits set by the IWC (IWC, 2007a). An Aboriginal Whaling Scheme, established by the IWC, will be established and will comprise the scientific and logistical aspects of the management of all aboriginal fisheries.
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