Japan is proposing an end to a decades-old ban on commercial whaling, arguing there is no longer a scientific reason for what was supposed to be a temporary measure.
The proposal is facing stiff opposition from Australia and others at the International Whaling Commission meetings that opened Monday in Florianopolis, Brazil.
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Japan has hunted whales for centuries as a source of protein. The country said it complies with the commission’s commercial ban but hunts whales under a research exception. Critics say the program is a cover for commercial whaling because the whale meat is sold for food.
Japan is proposing to create a committee that would establish quotas for commercial whaling. It’s not clear when voting will take place. The Japanese could also pull back the proposal.
