Norway and Japan 'subsidising whaling'

WWF International

The governments of Norway and Japan are using taxpayer money to subsidise their unprofitable whaling industries, according to a first-time analysis of the economics of whaling released today.

Ahead of the 61st International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in Madeira, new research commissioned by WWF and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) considers a range of direct and indirect costs associated with whaling and the processing and marketing of whale products such as whale meat. Researchers conclude that these costs, combined with declining demand for whale meat and the risk of negative impacts such as trade or tourism boycotts, make commercial whaling unlikely to produce economic benefits for either country.

Heather Sohl, Species Trade and Policy Officer at WWF-UK says: “In this time of global economic crisis, the use of valuable tax dollars on the propagation of what is most likely an economically unviable industry, is neither strategic, sustainable, nor an appropriate use of limited government funds.”

The Norwegian government has spent more than US$4.9 million on public information, public relations, and lobbying campaigns since 1992 to garner support for its whaling and seal hunting industries . In addition, government subsidies for the whaling industry in that country have typically equalled almost half of the gross value of all whale meat landings made through the Rafisklaget, the Norwegian Fisherman’s Sales Organisation.

Data gathered on Japan shows a similar use of taxpayer funds. During the 2008-09 season, the Japanese whaling industry needed US$12 million in taxpayer money just to break even. Sales of whale meat, blubber, and other whale products in Japan have made financial losses for most of the last 20 years, requiring Japanese subsidies to the industry of US$164 million since 1988.

Japan and Norway, in defiance of the International Whaling
Commission’s moratorium on commercial whaling, kill up to 2,000 whales a year, exploiting loopholes in the IWC’s founding treaty that allow whaling under objection to management decisions (Norway) and “scientific” whaling for research purposes (Japan).

The research points out that killing more whales is likely to hurt the whale-watching and tourism trade, and the international image of Norway and Japan - impacts which would far outweigh any economic benefits of whaling.

Sue Fisher, US Policy Director at WDCS says: “Norway and Japan are hurting tourism, a potential growth industry in both countries in order to spend millions of dollars obtaining whale meat, the sale of which makes no profit. How much longer are they going to keep wasting their taxpayer’s money?”

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Editor's notes
Copies of the report, Economics and Subsidies to Whaling and a summary Sink or Swim: The Economics of Whaling Today are available on request.

The analysis was conducted by independent economists, eftec, and commissioned by WWF and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.

IWC 61 is being held in Madeira, Portugal, from 22 to 26 June 2009. Dr Susan Lieberman, WWF Species Programme Director is attending the meeting and is available for interview.

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with almost 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural
resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

About WDCS
WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, is the global voice for the protection of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) and their environment. Established in 1987, WDCS has offices in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Germany, the UK and the USA and a worldwide network of consultants, researchers and supporters. WDCS aims to reduce and ultimately eliminate the continuing threats to whales, dolphins and their habitats and to raise awareness of these wonderful animals and the need to protect them in their natural environment. WDCS's work combines concern for the welfare of the individual animals with efforts to ensure the protection of entire species, populations and their habitats.