The Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is a baleen whale. One of the larger rorqual species, famous for serenading the seas with their haunting melodies. The Humpback was and is a target for the whaling industry. Due to over-hunting (coupled by factors like collision with ships, noise pollution etc.) its population fell by an estimated 90% before a whaling moratorium was introduced in 1966. The current Humpback Whale population has been estimated to be around 70,000.
Japan was all set to kill 50 Humpback Whales a year in Southern Pacific off Antarctica in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary under its JARPA-II research program, starting in November 2007. The announcement sparked protests from all corners of the globe, especially environmentalists.
Japan finally gave in to the almost unanimous protests, and the pressure from the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and the program has been temporarily suspended. Japan said it would halt the humpback hunt pending further IWC discussion. There has been some difference of opinion in the matter in Japan itself, between fisheries officials who argue Japan has a right to carry out the hunts and diplomats who are more concerned with the international repercussions.
The fleet will, however, kill some 935 minke whales, a smaller, more plentiful species, and 50 fin whales.
Image Credit: Bigsurcalifornia
Source: The NY Times
