Whaling body upholds ban

THE International Whaling Commission yesterday voted to uphold a ban on commercial whaling, dealing a setback to Japan and its allies who favour a resumption.

Commission members voted 29-23 against the proposal at their meeting in Ulsan, South Korea, which needed a 75% majority to pass. There were five abstentions, including countries that have often voted with Japan on other issues at the commission.

The 66-member commission, which regulates global whaling, banned commercial hunts in 1986, handing environmentalists a major victory in protecting the species. New Zealand Minister of Conservation Chris Carter, a delegate at the meeting, said his country was “absolutely delighted” with the vote. “This has been a very serious loss of face for Japan.”