Research. Basing decisions on fact, not fiction. Scientific research is an essential part of the conservation and management of all marine resources, including whales. The International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling requires that all of its regulations be based on scientific findings. In 1987 Japan established a scientific whale research program to study Southern Ocean Minke whales and the Antarctic ecosystem. This is the world's only long-term study providing information on the role of whales in the ecosystem and the effects of environmental changes on whales. A research program began in the North Pacific in 1994. If limited commercial capture of any species of whale is to be reintroduced it must be based on scientific evidence which proves there is no risk posed to that species' long-term numbers or status.

Japan's whale research program:

Japan's whale research programs are conducted in accordance with the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling. They do not, in any way, involve illegal whaling.

The scientific programs:

Identify whale stocks, estimate abundance and population structure, reproductive data and general health data; Study the role and effect of whales in and on the ecosystem, including their feeding habits; and Monitor the effects of environmental change on whales.

Why is the capture of whales necessary?

Japan's research programs involve sighting surveys, photo identification, acoustic surveys and biopsy sampling. However, these tools are limited in amount of scientific information they can provide. In order to gather detailed information the study of internal organs and tissues is essential. Japan's research program has developed a number of genetic and biological sampling tests which the IWC's Scientific Committee acknowledges have revealed a great deal about whales. It is important to remember that capture and testing is only conducted in a strictly limited way on the numerically abundant, non-endangered whale species. Sampling in the Antarctic has included a take of up to 440 Minke whales in one year. The IWC estimates that 2,000 Minke whales per year could be taken for 100 years without posing a threat to the stock. Japan's new whale research program in the western North Pacific has the priority of conducting feeding studies related to prey consumption by cetaceans, prey preferences of cetaceans and ecosystem modeling. Minke, Bryde's and sperm whales were selected for this research since they are likely major components of the large whale biomass in the region and because their populations are abundant. Under the IWC's "no waste" rules the by-products of the research program, including whale meat, are required "so far as practicable to be processed". It is this aspect of the program which is often inaccurately sensationalised as "illegal commercial whaling".

Benefits of the research program. What has been learned?

The amount of scientific data gathered by Japan's research program is extensive, including: There is a large and increasing number of young Minke whales; There are at least two separate breeding groups of Antarctic Minke whales, whit slightly different genetic make-ups and geographical distributions; Female Minkes reach maturity at about 7-8 years and reproduce about once per year; Minke whales consume about 220kg of feed daily; and Contaminant levels in Antarctic Minke whales are very low (in contrast, contaminant levels in the Arctic are high). Much has been learned about the feeding habits of whales through analysis of stomach contents and other tests. These tests indicate the blubber thickness of whales has decreased since the 1970s. It is suggested this may be due to decreased food intake caused by growing competition for food between whale species. In fact, scientists now believe the population recovery of the endangered Blue whale is being damaged by the increasing number of non-endangered Minke whales. They believe that to help endangered species we must manage other species that are abundant in number. This is called the multi-species management approach. Exactly the same principles apply in Australia's annual cull of kangaroos.

Lessons for fisheries management & human food resources:

Japan's scientific study has also revealed that whales consume some 500 million tonnes of fish resources per year (up to six times total human consumption). The bulk of this is consumed by non-endangered whale species. This knowledge is useful in helping to plan ways to sustainably feed the world's population. Fishing will become increasingly important in this task (particularly given the environmental problems caused by the massive amounts of land clearing and deforestation going on to produce red meat). With about 35% of the world's fishery resources already over-exploited and another 25% exploited to their fullest extent, the role of whales in the ecosystem should be carefully considered.