Japan Gives Up Attempt To Capture Norwegian Orcas

Good News!

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Press stories from Norway yesterday indicate that Japan will not be capturing Norwegian orcas after all. Apparently the Japanese delegation which is presently in Norway (led by Nagoya Aquarium director Uchida) has stated that it has given up its plan. When asked why, a spokesperson for the delegation said "we changed our mind". It seems clear that the decision is in response to the international protest that has occurred over the past week. The Norwegian Trade Council has described the opposition from around the world as "overwhelming".

At this time we feel the need to be somewhat cautious about the news, perhaps because it sounds too good... victories are so seldom won so quickly or easily. So far as we know, there has not yet been an official statement by the Norwegian government. Hopefully, this will come soon. If it doesn't, we'll certainly let you know.

We extend our THANKS to everyone who participated!

If possible, please send a message expressing your relief and appreciation to the Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries and the Norwegian Trade Council:

Norwegian Trade Council
Drammensveien 40
0243 Oslo, Norway
tlf. + 47 22 92 63 00,
fax. + 47 22 92 64 00
e-mail: oslo@ntc.no
www.ntc.no

Ministery of Fisheries
Postboks 8118 Dep
0032 Olso, Norway
tlf. + 47 22 24 90 90,
fax. + 47 22 24 95 85
e-mail: postmottak@fid.dep.telemax.no

Please don't forget that Norway continues to defy the world in its insistence on killing hundreds of minke whales each year. Some of the vessels that are used in the new Norwegian whale watching industry are also used to kill minke whales! Apparently the operators & Norwegian government think that people who like orcas don't really care if minkes are killed. When you write to thank Norway for protecting orcas, perhaps you can also express your feelings about minke whales... e.g. by indicating that you're much more likely to go whale watching in Norway after all whaling stops, or that you won't go whale watching in Norway until minke whales are protected there too.

And, don't forget that the Nagoya Aquarium still wants to capture orcas. The most likely source is now Russia. The aquarium can still change its plan, as it has just started building. By all means tell director Uchida about your opposition to keeping orcas captive, and your hopes that he will consider alternatives. You can write to him at:

Mr.Itaru Uchida, Director,
Nagoyakou Suizokukan
1-3 Minatomachi, Minato-ku
Nagoya-shi, Aichi-ken
455-0033 Japan
Fax:+81-52-654-7001

Please send a message expressing your relief and appreciation to the Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries and the Norwegian Trade Council for not capturing orcas for Japan!



Cry Out in relief to the Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries and the Norwegian Trade Council