Japan: Finned whales are about to become extinct

Environmental experts say the finned whales are in danger of extinction due to hunting from Iceland and exported to Japan as food for noble dogs.

Finned whale meat in the North Atlantic has been used by consumers in Japan since 2008, but has recently been "used" by wealthy people as food for pets to show off their money.

Michinoku Farm, a Tokyo-based company, advertises fin whale meat with low calorie, low fat and high protein content. This meat costs $ 5.97 for 60g, calculated at about $ 100 / kg. In addition, Michinoku Farm also provides Mongolian horse heart and Australian kangaroo lungs. The company's president, Takuma Konno, insisted that trading these products was legal in Japan.

Finned whales are in danger of extinction.(Photo: Green Peace)

Fishermen in Iceland are planning to catch more than 180 finned whales next month. Hvalurcho company representatives knew they had prepared two large ships ready for hunting. The incident angered environmental experts because they thought the Icelandic government violated the ban on hunting of whales globally.

The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), a non-profit organization in Washington, USA, said it was ridiculous to hunt fin whales for Japanese dogs.

According to EIA activist Clare Perry, almost 100% of whale meat is exported to Japan. She has also called on pet owners in Japan to think about what their dogs really need. She harshly said: 'Dogs never want to eat whale meat. Why are they fed exotic foods transported halfway around the world while there are many other foods that do not harm the environment and do not make the whale extinct? '

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, finned whales are at high risk of extinction. However, whale meat hunters in Iceland argue that the number of fish species has increased significantly and may be enough to supply the market.