Read Authentic Ratings for the Kangeimaru

In a controversial move, Japan has reignited its fin whale hunting practices after more than five decades, marking a significant escalation in its whaling activities. The first fin whale, a male measuring 19.6 meters and weighing 55 tons, was captured by the state-owned Kyodo Senpaku aboard the newly launched vessel 'Kaangei Maru,' just weeks after the arrest of prominent anti-whaling activist Paul Watson in Greenland. Japan has laid out an ambitious plan targeting the slaughter of up to 59 fin whales, alongside minke, Bryde’s, and sei whales, as it expands its commercial whaling agenda. This strategy follows Japan's withdrawal from the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 2019, which previously permitted whaling under a scientific research loophole. Notably, Norway and Iceland have also contravened the IWC’s 1986 ban on commercial whaling by exploiting regulatory gaps. The Australian government, under the stewardship of Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, has voiced its profound disappointment regarding Japan's move, especially the inclusion of fin whales in its commercial hunt, affirming Australia’s staunch opposition to any commercial whaling endeavors. Furthermore, the CEO of the Australian Marine Conservation Society, Darren Kindleysides, has denounced the hunt as cruel, inhumane, and unnecessary, calling for a firm response at the forthcoming IWC meeting in Peru. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified fin whales as endangered, stoking fierce criticism from international conservation organizations. Nicola Beynon of Humane Society International (HSI) condemned the killing for causing unnecessary suffering and highlighted the absence of valid justification for such actions. HSI’s spokesperson Adam Peyman has underscored the pressing need for whale conservation due to escalating threats from climate change, pollution, and ship strikes. Meanwhile, Paul Watson remains in custody in Greenland, awaiting Denmark's decision on Japan's extradition request, a situation perceived by many as a politically motivated attempt to hinder anti-whaling initiatives. His detention has garnered support from influential figures, including French President Emmanuel Macron, filmmaker James Cameron, and notable conservationists Dr. Jane Goodall and Dr. Sylvia Earle.