Is it possible to resume commercial whaling of Minke Whales in the Southern Ocean?

• Main Author: Kudo, Fusae
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: English
• Published: 2003
• Subjects: Southern Ocean; minke whale
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10092/14236

Present population viability analysis suggests that the current population of minke whales are decreasing and that Japanese scientific whaling should be stopped The conservation of minke whales can be achieved by reducing mortality of calves. Reducing 10 % Of calf mortality quickly increased population size. Once the mortality of calves is reduced it is possible to harvest 2000 minke whales per year and sustain an increasing population. Therefore, commercial whaling can be resumed when the minke whale population is managed strictly in the Southern Ocean. Present population viability analysis suggests that the current population of minke whales are decreasing and that Japanese scientific whaling should be stopped The conservation of minke whales can be achieved by reducing mortality of calves. Reducing 10 % Of calf mortality quickly increased population size. Once the mortality of calves is reduced it is possible to harvest 2000 minke whales per year and sustain an increasing population. Therefore, commercial whaling can be resumed when the minke whale population is managed strictly in the Southern Ocean.