A demand to sell Norwegian whales to Japan

Hinlopen, Svalbard, Norway.Blue Whale.Photo : Jan-Morten Bjørnbakk / NTB scanpix

If Norway is to teach Japan about the management of whales, we must demand access to the Japanese market said the head of the industry association, ‘Sjømat Norge’.

Japanese representatives have recently been in Norway to learn about management and quota setting for whaling wrote Fiskeribladet journal. The country recently announced that it will resume commercial whaling and resign from the International Whaling Commission.

According to Fiskeribladet, the Norwegian authorities must be positive about dialogue with the Japanese. Sjømat Norge believes Norway should get something concrete in return for the help.

‘’If they demand our expertise, we will bring our whale products into the Japanese market in return. Something else would be out of the question’’ said CEO, Geir Ove Ystmark. He said that Norway has partial access to the Japanese market with frozen meat, but for fresh products, the rules are complicated and confusing.

‘’If the is something Norwegian whaling needs, it is market access.’’

Fisheries Minister Harald T. Nesvik of Fremskrittsparti (FRP) said he is aware of the requirement from Sjømat Norge and said it is something that must be considered together with a number of other factors.

‘’I will discuss market access for whales when I travel to Japan in March’’ said Nesvik, who will visit the country for four days.

© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today

8 Comments on "A demand to sell Norwegian whales to Japan"

  1. Christina Mullee | 13. February 2019 at 01:02 |

    Why does anyone need whales? They need to be in the ocean, they are a crucial part of the eco system.
    They are extremely intelligent and have close family ties, please stop killing them.

    • They are not “Norwegian Whales”. They are free-swimming global mammals. Hands off.
      Norway and the Japanese have done enough damage to their species, and all cetaceans.
      Its time for protecting them, and never killing another single one.

  2. They are not “Norwegian Whales”. They are free-swimming global mammals. Hands off.
    Norway and the Japanese have done enough damage to their species, and all cetaceans.
    Its time for protecting them, and never killing another single one.

  3. Fully agree with the previous comments!

  4. Fully agree with previous comments!

  5. Norwegian animal activists we need to hear your voices more loudly!!

  6. Carol Keith | 21. February 2019 at 16:25 |

    What bothers me is this. If there are whaling laws in place…why do they continue to kill them? I have had it with all this “scientific” BS. If they want to study whales then study those who die because they ate tons of plastic. As a planet we need to be concentrating on that and not promising no hunts only to turn around and change your mind. What good are those laws?

  7. Agreed. Plastic is the problem in our abysmal record of taking care of the ocean. Whales are essential to the health of the oceans, in that they take nourishment down to the depths and feed the tiny creatures at the base of the food chain.
    Also, they are intelligent sentient beings, who need our help. All whaling should cease. Its time humanity stepped up to the plate and acknowledged that these creatures deserve protection. All Cetaceans to be included in this. No more “swimming with Dolphins” in hotel pools, or anywhere they are not free. Abuse is rampant and cruel. We should be better than this.

Comments are closed.