is Japanese whaling in violation of the IWC

Whaling in Japan may have begun as early as the 12th century. However During the 20th century, Japan was heavily involved in commercial whaling until the International Whaling Commission shut down commercial whaling in 1986. Japan still continues to hunt down and kill whales claiming it’s only for scientific research. Japanese whaling is restricted to hunts conducted by Institute of Cetacean Research. Japan maintains the annual whaling is sustainable and necessary for scientific study and management of whale stocks. Meat from the whales collected under scientific research can be sold in Japanese local shops under the IWC although most of the members of the IWC are against it.

Is this in violation of the IWC ?

The Japanese claim that the meat from research whale killings is only sold in Japan however BBC news posted “Scientists say they have found clear proof that meat from whales captured under Japan's whaling program is being sold in US and Korean eateries"

Today the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society uses two ships to assist in the anti whaling campaign. their mission is to stop the Japanese from whaling by chasing down the Japanese whaling fleet in the Antarctic. The Japanese fleet consist of

On December 5, 2007 just before the 2007-2008 Antarctic Whale Defense Campaign: Operation Migaloo began to defend the whales of the Southern Oceans, the Sea Shepherd vessel M/Y Robert Hunter was officially re-named the Steve Irwin in honor of the late Australian conservationist. The name change was announced at a press conference by Irwin's widow Terri Irwin and Captain Paul Watson at the Melbourne Docklands just prior to the ship's departure to the Antarctic Whale Sanctuary.

On January 5, 2010, another Sea Shepherd anti-whaling ship arrived in the Southern Ocean to join the 2009-2010 Antarctic Whale Defense Campaign, Operation Waltzing Matilda unexpected and right on time: the Bob Barker.

the sea shepherds had a third ship the Ady Gil On January 5th 2010 Japanese security ship Shonan Maru No. 2 deliberately rammed and caused catastrophic damage to the Sea Shepherd trimaran Ady Gil.

2009-2010 Antarctic Whale Defense Campaign: Operation Waltzing Matilda had a devastating affect on the Japanese whaling quota this year.WHALING SEASON in Japan has been a relative failure this year. The fleet recently returned two weeks early to home port at Shimonoseki, after several months of clashes with protesters in the Antarctic Ocean, who effectively prevented the Japanese vessels from reaching their target quotas of 935 minke and 50 fin whales."

In my opinion the Japanese whaling should be stooped. The Japanese would like us to believe the whales are killed for research and the whale meat is only marketed to Japan after research. Minke and Fin whales are Endangered. these whales are helpless because their natural habit is to seek out ships much like they way dolphins do and swim beside them making them easy targets for harpoon ships.

do you think japan should be allowed to do research and then turn around and make a profit selling the meat to the united states and Korea

Should the Sea Shepperd fleet be charged for trying to save these whales

In efforts to get attention Sea Shepherd's TV series Whale Wars aired in the United States and Canada for 7 straight weeks in November and December 2008.