Japan says yes to Norwegian whale trade

SIKU CIRCUMPOLAR NEWS SERVICE

During an official visit by Norway’s Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik to Japan this week, Japan said it would resume importing whale products from Norway.

Japan last imported whale meat from Norway in 1988.

Norway started exporting whale products to Iceland last summer and to the Farøe Islands in March 2003. About 70 tons of meat and blubber from minke whales have been exported so far.

The origin of Norway’s whale products are controlled through a DNA “fingerprinting” scheme. DNA profiles are taken from every minke whale caught and then entered into a database.

Any product exported by Norway can be traced so only legally caught and traded products are available for sale.