December 8, 2012
At the urging of international governments and conservation organizations South Korea did not follow through on their intention to begin killing an endangered population of minke whales next year.
In July 2012, South Korea announced plans to begin so-called “scientific” whaling in 2013, taking advantage of a loophole within the International Whaling Commission (IWC) treaty. They claimed that an over-abundance of minke whales has been harming fish stocks. Their rationale and proposal received fierce opposition from many IWC member governments and conservation organizations.
Conservation organizations met with South Korean officials to express concern over this proposal and to ask for continued non-lethal whale monitoring and research instead. The WWF organized an online petition that was sent directly to the South Korean president with a letter.
After months of such international pressure, South Korea chose not to proceed with their proposal. The WWF and other conservation groups are recognizing this as a small victory for the conservation of whales and applauding South Korea for its decision.
This is a partner story from the WWF