South Korea announced it would begin 'scientific whaling' a codeword for commercial whaling of Minke whales in its coastal waters. Korea already kills an estimated 200 whales a year as "bycatch" another codeword for incidental killing when fishing for other species. Officially whales are off limits to Korean fisherman, but if reported the bycatch in the nets can be sold. A whale is thought to bring $100,000 on the open market, so there is plenty of economic incentive to accidentally kill whales. Why the scientific community in South Korea would need more specimens than 200 a year is thus beyond credible explanation. What the government is attempting to do is grandfather the existing gray trade and make it legal trade. The New Zealand Foreign Minister called it "commercial whaling in drag". There is little doubt the decision is a maneuver around South Korea's obligations under the IWC ban on whaling similar to
Japan's circumvention. Informed suspicion is that the whale catch is much more than 200 a year. Researchers estimate in a 2007 study that between 1999 and 2003, 827 whales were killed and sold for meat. Ulsan is Korea's whaling capital with an annual festival dedicated to whaling culture. At nearby Bangudae, petroglyphs suggest whaling goes back 8,000 years. Whale meat was consumed to prevent famine during World War II. Traditions die hard in the Orient.
[photo: whale meat in Ulsan market] South Korea's deplorable decision puts more onus on the International Whaling Commission to take effective action against efforts to circumvent and discredit the international ban.
