'Clean-up bid' tops agenda for whaling meet (BBC)

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By Richard Black
Environment correspondent, BBC News, Jersey

Whaling by indigenous peoples and reforms to prevent "votes for cash" allegations are set to top the agenda at this year's International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in Jersey, UK.

Previous years have seen ire directed at Japan over its Antarctic hunts.

But Japan's current plans are unclear, with its policy under review.

The UK is proposing reforms to make the IWC more open, while some campaigners are angry about US plans to maintain hunting by Alaskan native peoples.

The meeting will also discuss proposals to ensure good practice in the whale-watching industry worldwide, and a bid to make the South Atlantic a sanctuary for whales.
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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14079749




Japan's whaling activities are on hold due to both relentless pressure from Sea Shepherd and damage to ports by the tsunami -- maybe they could use this as an excuse to let their "scientific" whaling policy quietly wither and die.