Whale meat consumption increasing

[david@tokyo]

Analysis of official frozen marine product stockpile figures published by The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries indicate that whale meat consumption has been rising in Japan annually for the 3 years for which figures are available, contrasting strongly with reports in the western media to the contrary.

The increasing consumption figures reconcile with recent Japanese media reports of increasing sales through supermarkets and restaurant chains. Icelandic commercial whalers have recently stated that they wish to sell some of their approximately 100 tonnes of fin whale meat to the Japanese market, indicating their belief that there is a market for additional whale meat.

The statements appearing in the western media have incorrectly interpreted increasing stockpile levels as indicating a lack of demand in the Japanese market. Consumption trends cannot be derived by examining increasing stockpiles, which have recently seen increases in supply due to the JARPA II research programme, in which the number of whales taken roughly doubled. This information tell us only about the supply side. Consumption trends, on the other hand, are indicated by volumes of outgoing frozen whale meat stocks. These volumes have in fact been increasing, not decreasing.

Some still point to year on year increases in the level of the stockpile, but this is because the whale meat is not consumed immediately once it arrives on the stockpiles. Whaling is a seasonal activity. Current consumption trends indicate that by February 2007, the level of stocks remaining in frozen storage will likely decrease as compared to 2006 and 2005. From 2007/2008 onwards, levels of supply will again stabilise due to the full commencement of the JARPA II research programme.

CONCLUSION: There is a strong demand for whale meat in Japan. It's important for proper conservation of target whale stocks that global whaling activities be properly regulated with international oversight, such as by the IWC, to ensure that whaling operations are sustainable, and that whaling operators do not exceed scientifically agreed catch limits.

(All figures are available at my blog at david-in-tokyo.blogspot.com)

[Thunderthief]

Mmm... whale tastey.

or not, i find the meat disgusting anyway

[david@tokyo]

Whale meat, is after all, just meat.

Although, I've had some quite tasty whale meat, as well as some not so tasty stuff. The blubber in particular was pretty disgusting and I can't recommend it. But I've had some really excellent tasting stuff as well.

Like anything, once you've had it a few times you learn to appreciate the unique flavour.

[david@tokyo]

An update:
# Outgoing whale meat stock in 2006 totalled 8,558 tonnes, as compared to 5,955 tonnes in 2005 (a 44% increase year on year)
More details at my blog (with latest figures for January also)

(URL: david-in-tokyo.blogspot.com/search/label/stockpile%20figures )

[KirinMan]

Originally Posted by david@tokyo

Whale meat, is after all, just meat.
Although, I've had some quite tasty whale meat, as well as some not so tasty stuff. The blubber in particular was pretty disgusting and I can't recommend it. But I've had some really excellent tasting stuff as well.
Like anything, once you've had it a few times you learn to appreciate the unique flavour.

Truly it depends on the quality of the cut of the whale meat itself. There was a time that people were passing off dolphin and porpise meat as whale as well, that was some really nasty tasting stuff too.......arghhh, shudder, shudder.

[heliobacter]

I'd like to see some kind of survey, broken down to demographic, psychographic aspects etc.

Any tips?

[centrajapan]

I am happy that the whale consumption in Japan has increased. Now it would be good if Norway could export whale meat to Japan.

[david@tokyo]

centrajapan,

Indeed. Apparently the Fisheries Agency has the matter under consideration, but has stated that the decision will be made with both domestic and international conditions taken into consideration.

Currently Japan is looking towards discussions about restoring the IWC's role as a whaling management organization, and they may be reluctant to take any measures which may make it seem as if they are insincere in their desire to work in good faith within the IWC.

However, if it is clear that the IWC can't be restored in such a manner, I imagine Japan may resume imports from Iceland and Norway as a hint towards the anti-whaling nations that it is serious.

[Goldiegirl]

I think Japan has over fished tuna, whale will be next.

[pipokun]

Originally Posted by Goldiegirl

I think Japan has over fished tuna, whale will be next.

Wrong.

AGRICULTURE FORESTRY AND FISHERIES IN JAPAN
(3) Fishery production
b By major fish species
http://www.maff.go.jp/toukei/abstract/1_9/44_45.htm

http://www.fao.org/statistics/yearbo..._1/pdf/d01.pdf
And just look at the data. I am really scared if Japanese would become greedy or obese like the anti-whaling countries.

[Chi65]

Originally Posted by david@tokyo

centrajapan,
Indeed. Apparently the Fisheries Agency has the matter under consideration, but has stated that the decision will be made with both domestic and international conditions taken into consideration.
Currently Japan is looking towards discussions about restoring the IWC's role as a whaling management organization, and they may be reluctant to take any measures which may make it seem as if they are insincere in their desire to work in good faith within the IWC.
However, if it is clear that the IWC can't be restored in such a manner, I imagine Japan may resume imports from Iceland and Norway as a hint towards the anti-whaling nations that it is serious.

It is in general interesting, how some relate to outdated news and scales, while already for longer, the issue of importing for example is none any more, exactly for the same reasons of found contaminations. This has already been posted somewhere else and is also far from new.

Same with the "increasing whale meat consumption", its for sure as outdated now.

Same with the other scale (from 2005!)

Wishfull thinking, I would say.

[Rose Selavey]

Originally Posted by pipokun

Wrong.
http://www.fao.org/statistics/yearbo..._1/pdf/d01.pdf
And just look at the data. I am really scared if Japanese would become greedy or obese like the anti-whaling countries.

The Japanese government in August 2006 admitted to over fishing of the Blue fin Tuna for 20 years, 3 times their quota. I have previously put a link on line for this. But if you google it there are thousands of articles relating to it.

If whale meet consumption is on the increase it is most likely due to the government pushing whale meat in schools. It has become an elitist past time for the rich, but not good enough for the Emperor Akihito to have on his Palace menu.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems...0/s1765413.htm

Here is one link.

[david@tokyo]

Originally Posted by Chi65

It is in general interesting, how some relate to outdated news and scales, while already for longer, the issue of importing for example is none any more

The article I mentioned was issued on 2007/12/13, and not having any further reports on the matter since, I personally do not consider it to be "outdated news". Here's a translation of the original news item which I posted on my blog several weeks back:

Whale meat imports "waiting for Japan's response" - Norwegian ambassador to Japan hopes for recommencement after 19 years

Norway's Ambassador to Japan, Åge Grutle, made it known that his country is proceeding with negotiations with the government regarding Norway's desire for Japan to import meat from whales caught there. The Ambassador stated that "Norway wants to resume exports next year. We are waiting for Japan's response". It would be the first time since 1989 if Japan does resume whale meat trade with Norway.

Regarding whale meat imports, Japan is also considering a trade resumption with Iceland, with which the trade had continued up until 1991. There is said to be no problem with whale meat trade with respect to the Washington Treaty (CITES). Japan is also hoping to strengthen ties with nations that support whaling through the trade resumption. However, as there would be an inevitable response from western anti-whaling nations, the Fisheries Agency "wishes to carefully observe the circumstances both at home and abroad" (far seas fisheries division), and is taking a cautious approach towards making the final decision.

Originally Posted by Chi65

Same with the "increasing whale meat consumption", its for sure as outdated now.
Same with the other scale (from 2005!)

The trend of increasing levels of outgoing whale meat stock continued in 2007 (see my blog). The annual volume of outgoing whale stock was higher in 2006 and 2007 than it has been since the early 1990's.

Originally Posted by Chi65

Wishfull thinking, I would say.

Real facts and figures talk.

[Chi65]

Yep, but for example actions like ofering it to more schools and saying, buy one, take as any as you like etc., is fooling themselves and lieing into thier own pocket, plus the fact, that it was sold under "safe", when it was not, which is extremely without responsibility.

It was probably also sold in other countries, such as Africa and I don't know where, to countries, who were clearly and surely not informed either, beause it would go against the seller's interest.

While now, people do know a bit more, and will in the future, and that will surely no longer increase, in contrary, since several shops have already taken their meat away in consequence (in fact, some already before this new warning. Somewhere is an according video from lately, I think in the mercury thread), and the schools have stopped getting it (also see the entrance of the mercury thread. etc. This one here is outdated.)

I will not post in this thread anymore, because it is unnecessary doubling with new others. Please, check them instead, facts are more than enough. Times have changed.

Good night!

[david@tokyo]

Originally Posted by Rose Selavey

The Japanese government in August 2006 admitted to over fishing of the Blue fin Tuna for 20 years, 3 times their quota.

There tends to be rather large differences between facts and what the Australian media reports on such issues, but nonetheless there were holes in Japan's regulatory system for their SBT fishery. This system was overhauled in April 2006, with strict measures such as the tagging of individual fish.
Australia meanwhile has been found to be catching SBT over it's quota, and while the Australian media doesn't report such things, you can balanced information on these matters from meeting documents at the CCSBT website.

As for whaling, Japan's position is that it would like to resume commercial whaling under international controls, not it's own independant controls. Nonetheless Japan, Norway and Iceland have already implemented DNA registers for each whale caught, and other monitoring would also be in place.

If whale meet consumption is on the increase it is most likely due to the government pushing whale meat in schools.

In fact, less than 200 tonnes a year is allocated for use in school lunches each year (160 tonnes in 2007).

On the other hand, annual outgoing stock volume has increased from approx. 4,000 ~ 5,000 tonnes in years 2001 ~ 2004, up to approx. 6,000 tonnes in 2005, and up to approx 8,000 tonnes in 2006. Final figures for 2007 will be released by the ministry next week, and will also be in the range of 7,000 ~ 8,000 tonnes.

Given the fact that these increases in annual outgoing stock volumes dwarf the <200 tonnes that is allocated to schools each year, I would suggest that it is far more plausible that whale meat consumption increases have been driven mainly in the private market.

Originally Posted by Chi65

Somewhere is an according video from lately, I think in the mercury thread), and the schools have stopped getting it (also see the entrance of the mercury thread. etc. This one here is outdated.)

Whale meat and dolphin meat is not the same.

[david@tokyo]

Whale consumption doubles - 50% increase in shipments since 2002 alone

The Japanese population consumed more than 8,000 tons of whale and small cetacean products in each of the previous two years, according to official statistics released Monday.

Volumes of whale meat shipped out of nationwide refrigeration facilities soared over the 8,000 ton mark for the second year running in 2007, putting annual whale consumption levels higher than any time since at least 1991 when Japan ceased whale meat imports from Iceland. Levels of outgoing volume were also 50% higher than those of 2002, with the most marked increases coming since 2005.

[MadamePapillon]

You know, all this talk of pro-whaling and I don't think you've ever given a reason why you are so strongly for it.

You've talked about why Japan should have the right to whale. How it is sustainable. Everything except why you are so eager to see whales killed and shipped off to market.

What reason do you have for defending Japans right to whale so vigorously when the better part of the modern world is against the practice?

[david@tokyo]

Originally Posted by MadamePapillon

You know, all this talk of pro-whaling and

My comment above is hardly "pro-whaling", it simply describes the fact of increasing whale meat consumption in Japan's market.

Whether people are "anti-whaling" or "pro-whaling", everyone can surely recognise and accept evident facts as facts.

the better part of the modern world is against the practice

Whatever the "better part of the modern world" means is unclear, but I regard the arguments against whaling as irrational and full of double-standards.

What reason do you have for defending Japans right to whale so vigorously

To use an analogy, if there are a bunch of thugs beating one of your fellow humans on the street for no good reason, what would you do, and why?

Conversely, what reason do you have for so vigorously trying to convince others that nations that wish to allow their citizens to engage in the perfectly rational activity of sustainable utilization of baleen whales for food should do otherwise, given that the risks to targeted populations have been scientifically demonstrated to be incredibly low and far far lower than is accepted in pretty much any other fishery in the world? One explanation is that your analysis of the risk-reward tradeoff is irrational. This is what I sensed when we met previously in another thread, and why I came to the conclusion that our discussion had ended.

[MadamePapillon]

All those words and you still managed not to answer the question.

I wasn't asking you about my stance on the issue or my views, you already know that. I was asking about your personal views on the issue, putting aside statistics and science. You seem very emotionally invested in the killing of whales for commercial purposes (in this thread and others) and so I put to you again...

You've talked about why Japan should have the right to whale. How it is sustainable. Everything except why you are so eager to see whales killed and shipped off to market.

What reason do you have for defending Japans right to whale so vigorously when the better part of the modern world is against the practice?

[david@tokyo]

Originally Posted by MadamePapillon

All those words and you still managed not to answer the question.

As you didn't appear to get my thug analogy, let me walk you through it: When one group of people "wages war" on another, good people who recognise the wrong will stand up with those who have been attacked.
This is why I put my hand up and try to make anti-whaling people calmly review whether their opinions are valid or not. Some people, alas, are not reasonable or rational.

You seem very emotionally invested in the killing of whales for commercial purposes

I am indeed emotionally attached to standing up for those who have been wronged and continue to be wronged, and I am proud of that.

"commercial purposes" is of little relevance here. Do the people complaining about "commercial purposes" produce all their own food without engaging in commercial activity?

I wasn't asking you about my stance on the issue or my views, you already know that.

Given your eagerness to focus on me, I admit to having become curious myself as to whether you are simply irrational in considering the risk-reward tradeoff with respect to sustainable use of wild animals, or whether you have some other motivation. But, you have made your lack of respect for others evident enough.

[Sarapva]

Originally Posted by david@tokyo

As you didn't appear to get my thug analogy, let me walk you through it: When one group of people "wages war" on another, good people who recognise the wrong will stand up with those who have been attacked.

I am indeed emotionally attached to standing up for those who have been wronged and continue to be wronged, and I am proud of that.

When I first read your "thug" analogy, I thought you were talking about people who were standing up to the whalers and trying to get them to stop waging war on the whales. I was confused as to which "side" you were on. Now I see you're making the analogy that we "anti-whalers" are ganging up on the "pro-whalers" - I'm slightly stunned here, not quite able to put my mind around this. I feel like I've just stepped into a Twilight Zone kind of war, not quite sure what's going on. Is this to be believed? Since when was a verbal debate the same as thugs beating someone up? I thought we were exchanging ideas here, not punches.

[Chi65]

david@tokyo:
Whale consumption doubles - 50% increase in shipments since 2002 alone

The Japanese population consumed more than 8,000 tons of whale and small cetacean products in each of the previous two years, according to official statistics released Monday.

Volumes of whale meat shipped out of nationwide refrigeration facilities soared over the 8,000 ton mark for the second year running in 2007, putting annual whale consumption levels higher than any time since at least 1991 when Japan ceased whale meat imports from Iceland. Levels of outgoing volume were also 50% higher than those of 2002, with the most marked increases coming since 2005.

According to your link:

Anyhow, the shippings say nothing about people wanting the meat, it only says, that it has been shipped. If one knows, how the meat is /was distributed in Japan itself, for schools and for relatively free on offer (buy one, take as many as you like etc.), one does also get the feeling, that if shipped, it would be very interesting to know, where to and under which conditions.
Because, if it was for such countries, who were told to support whaling and thus get cheap gifts of whale meat, for example poorer countries, the picture changes drastically.
Since the japanese government wishes the world to think, that the "other" countries came to them, while Japan already had for long built up relationships with them (nothing against helping and supporting other countries in general), you wonder about the name of the game. . .

Its a usual promotion trick, to get people involved in doing as the supporters wish.
I also wonder, if they also have to eat the rest of the contaminated meat, that was taken out of the shops. . .it would not surprise me, such things happen all the time, not just from Japan.
Smells a bit like dirty business to me.

Also, you fail to say, that while rightly the incoming one is lower than before, the outgoing one also has been lower again after 2006.
The relation to 2002 is completely irrelevant in this.

You are obviously fooling us, because now its going down again!
(while the stock piles up)

[david@tokyo]

Originally Posted by Sarapva

When I first read your "thug" analogy, I thought you were talking about people who were standing up to the whalers and trying to get them to stop waging war on the whales.

Whaling is not waging war. A war is when one nation or group of people attacks another. Whaling is whale fishing or whale catching, similar to various other forms of animal hunting that humans conduct.

Since when was a verbal debate the same as thugs beating someone up? I thought we were exchanging ideas here, not punches.

Be it punches, offensive words, or hypocritical actions, that good people will support their fellow human beings when they are being wronged is constant.

[Sarapva]

Originally Posted by david@tokyo

Whaling is not waging war....

Be it punches, offensive words, or hypocritical actions, that good people will support their fellow human beings when they are being wronged is constant.

I don't see how the people arguing this are being wronged - aren't we just having an argument?

From the perspective of a whale being harpooned, it must feel that some kind of war is being waged against it.

[Chi65]

Sarapva, read my last post to David, please. . .!!(23)

Originally Posted by david@tokyo

Be it punches, offensive words, or hypocritical actions, that good people will support their fellow human beings when they are being wronged is constant.

Oh, really?
Who is wronging whom, please?

(He is gone. . .)