Steep costs and falling public support for Japan’s controversial whaling program have prompted the first serious moves by the country’s influential Fisheries Agency to consider ending the practice.

 

The agency also considered the mounting pressure from the Sea Shepherd conservation group’s anti-whaling campaign, with an official panel hearing concerns raised about the harassment by the group’s vessels. Activities by the Sea Shepherd group have resulted in Japanese vessels taking only a fifth of their total quotas.

 

The fisheries panel was convened to examine the impacts of the Sea Shepherd’s campaign, with panel members expressing their concern over the safety of the crew of the whaling vessels.

 

Panel member Hisa Anan called on an immediate halt to all whaling activities, arguing that sufficient research whaling had been conducted.

 

"I think they've gathered enough scientific data. And even if they want more, they can conduct non-lethal research,” Ms Anan said.

 

Decreased consumption and popularity in the Japanese local market have also impacted on the practice’s viability, which is estimated to cost around $40 million a year to equip and supply the fleet.

 

The whaling fleet will be due to leave port for its annual hunt in November, giving the panel three months to make a final decision on the program’s future.