さあ！諸君！捕鯨問題だ！

Whaling could affect Qld's tourism industry, expert says

Thursday May 19, 2005, 2:29 pm

An Australian whale expert says Japan's plan to increase its whale catch could hurt Queensland's tourism industry.

The Federal Government has ruled out confronting whaling ships in Antarctica, but says it will use negotiation and diplomacy to fight the plan.

Dr Michael Noad from the University of Queensland says Japan's application to kill more humpback and minke whales will not affect the population for now.

But he says future increases could affect the multi-million dollar whale watching industry.

"The more pressure the Government can put on the Japanese Government the slower this will be to expand," he said.

"Hopefully it won't expand at all because, as I say, it's the thin edge of the wedge we're worried about.

"It just depends whether the Japanese manage to turn this into a full-scale commercial harvest, in which case we'll be in real strife."


この科学者としては、個体数にはいまのところ問題はないが、このまま捕獲数が増えていくと,豪の観光業にダメージがあるだろうということですね。
この方は正直な発言をしているな、と思いました。

で、以下はその後の記事。

Japan urges Howard to read up on whaling

Tuesday May 24, 2005, 2:54 pm

A senior Japanese Government official has criticised Prime Minister John Howard, claiming he does not understand the scientific value of hunting whales.

Joji Marishita, the Japanese Fisheries Department's director of international negotiations, says it is necessary to kill whales to find out how old they are.

He also says Mr Howard is focused on the emotional side of whaling, rather than the science.

"Your Prime Minister for example should be more informed about what is actually happening," he said.

"And the only way to solve this difficult issue is not to inflate the emotional side of the issue.

"We should look at science and international law. That's the only way to solve difficult international negotiations."

Mr Howard has urged Japan to reconsider its position on whaling in a letter to Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

Federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell says the letter shows how determined Australia is to stop whaling in all its forms.

"We are prepared to raise this issue at levels that it's never been raised before, we're working internationally, we're working bilaterally."

The Federal Opposition says the Government needs to take stronger action to prevent Japan getting the numbers it needs on the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to support its whaling plans.

Labor's spokesman on the environment Anthony Albanese has urged the Government to use all diplomatic measures at its disposal to stop Japan's plans for whaling.

"Our neighbours such as the Solomons, in which we play a critical role, are on the International Whaling Commission as stacks for the Japanese to vote for the slaughter of Aussie whales and that's unacceptable," he said.

"We need to do more than just write to the Japanese, we need to exercise our full diplomatic measures with all the countries in which we have a relationship."

The IWC is expected to consider Japan's expansion proposal when it meets next month.

豪ではＡＢＣニュースだけが取り上げてました。日本では、こんなやり取りは記事になっているのでしょうか？

もっといろいろな情報が広く公開されて、多くの人が捕鯨問題に関心をもってくれるようになってくれるといいですね。