Whaling peace talks 'fall short' (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Richard Black
Environment correspondent, BBC News

Moves to make a peace deal between pro and anti-whaling nations have stalled, with no chance of agreement this year.

Countries have been talking for nearly a year in an attempt to hammer out an accord by this year's International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting.

But a draft report seen by BBC News admits the process has "fallen short".

A source close to the talks blamed Japan, saying it had not offered big enough cuts in its Antarctic hunt, conducted in the name of research.

Earlier meetings had raised the possibility that Japan might countenance annual reductions in its catch over the next five years, perhaps down to zero.

However, the source said that at a meeting held last month in San Francisco, Japan had offered to cut the haul to 650 minke whales per year, only 29 fewer than were caught last season.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8042713.stm

[flvegan]

1. I'm shocked. Shocked I tell you. Stay safe whalers...

Sea Shepherd has money to spend, and they're buying another boat. A fast boat.