Japan plans to add another type of whale, The fin whale, known as the second largest animal on the planet after the blue whale, to its list of cetaceans that can be hunted commercial.

The species, which can reach 27 meters in length, can now be hunted commercially after the Asian country resumed the activity for other whale species in 2019. after more than three decades– Japanese government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi explained at a press conference this Thursday.

“Whale species are an important food resource and should be use sustainably like other sea species, based on scientific evidence and traditional culture,” Hayashi said.

Until now, Japan has allowed hunting three species of whales: Bryde’s whale or big-eyed whale, minke whale and Sei’s whale, also known as the northern right whale or loggerhead whale.

Today’s decision comes after Japan’s executive branch began collecting citizens’ opinions last Tuesday until early next month, despite criticism received from the groups. against hunting cetaceans.

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Japan commercial takeover resumed in July 2019. whales in its waters, a practice it has not officially implemented for 32 years and which has led the country to abandon the International Whaling Commission (IWC), which vetoes hunting of these animals.

Low consumption

According to Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 83 minke whales, 187 Bryde’s whales and 24 sei whales were caught in 2023.

Meanwhile, demand for this type of meat remains at historical lows, fluctuating between 1000 and 2000 tons per year, which represents less than 1% of consumption this was implemented in the 1960s and amounted to about 200,000 tons per year.

This hunt has drawn criticism from the international community and even a ruling by the Hague Court against Japan, which defends this fishing activity as part of its tradition and its economic importance, despite low consumption what is currently happening in the land of cetacean meat.

Whale meat, eaten in the Japanese archipelago as sashimi (raw cuts), battered or cooked. It is a highly prized food in Japan. post-war due to its low cost and high nutritional value.

(EFE)