THE European Commission expressed concern overnight as Japan resumed its annual whale hunt, saying there are better ways to obtain scientific data about the giant marine mammals.
"The European Commission is deeply concerned by Japan's plans to kill up to 1000 minke, fin and humpback whales in a South Pacific whale hunt that will run until mid-April 2008," the EU's executive body said.
"The commission emphasises that there is no need to use lethal means to obtain scientific information about whales, and that adequate data for management purposes can be obtained using non-lethal techniques."
Despite Western protests, Japan's whaling fleet set off on Monday towards the Antarctic for the hunt, which is deemed legal under an international whaling convention.
Japan, which argues that whale meat is part of its culture, plans to kill 950 whales on the five-month mission using a loophole in a global moratorium that allows "lethal research" on the giant mammals.
"Japan's decision is all the more alarming as fin and humpback whales are classified as 'endangered' and 'vulnerable' species," the commission said.
"There is therefore a serious risk that the Japanese program will undermine the long-term viability of these species in the Southern Ocean."
Brussels called on Japan to stop the hunt and urged the international community to find a "comprehensive solution" to whaling.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22795770-5001028,00.html
"The European Commission is deeply concerned by Japan's plans to kill up to 1000 minke, fin and humpback whales in a South Pacific whale hunt that will run until mid-April 2008," the EU's executive body said.
"The commission emphasises that there is no need to use lethal means to obtain scientific information about whales, and that adequate data for management purposes can be obtained using non-lethal techniques."
Despite Western protests, Japan's whaling fleet set off on Monday towards the Antarctic for the hunt, which is deemed legal under an international whaling convention.
Japan, which argues that whale meat is part of its culture, plans to kill 950 whales on the five-month mission using a loophole in a global moratorium that allows "lethal research" on the giant mammals.
"Japan's decision is all the more alarming as fin and humpback whales are classified as 'endangered' and 'vulnerable' species," the commission said.
"There is therefore a serious risk that the Japanese program will undermine the long-term viability of these species in the Southern Ocean."
Brussels called on Japan to stop the hunt and urged the international community to find a "comprehensive solution" to whaling.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22795770-5001028,00.html
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