Genetic evidence of illegal trade in protected whales links Japan with the US and South Korea

C Scott Baker,Debbie Steel,Hang Lee,Louie Psihoyos,Yeyong Choi,R L Brownell,Yong-Un Ma,Sung Kyoung Choi,Charles Hambleton,Kyung Seok Kim,Naoko Funahashi

doi:10.1098/rsbl.2010.0239

Abstract

We report on genetic identification of ‘whale meat’ purchased in sushi restaurants in Los Angeles, CA (USA) in October 2009 and in Seoul, South Korea in June and September 2009. Phylogenetic analyses of mtDNA cytochrome b sequences confirmed that the products included three species of whale currently killed in the controversial scientific whaling programme of Japan, but which are protected from international trade: the fin, sei and Antarctic minke. The DNA profile of the fin whale sold in Seoul established a match to products purchased previously in Japan in September 2007, confirming unauthorized trade between these two countries. Following species identification, these products were handed over to the appropriate national or local authorities for further investigation. The illegal trade of products from protected species of whales, presumably taken under a national permit for scientific research, is a timely reminder of the need for independent, transparent and robust monitoring of any future whaling.

Highlights

The hunting of large whales is regulated by the International Whaling Commission (IWC), and trade in whale products is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
Iceland and Norway initiated whaling under Special Permit following the moratorium but conduct commercial whaling in the North Atlantic under an ‘objection’ to the moratorium
Products advertised as originating from whale were purchased in Japanese restaurants in Seoul, South Korea and the greater Los Angeles (LA) area

Summary

Introduction

The hunting of large whales is regulated by the International Whaling Commission (IWC), and trade in whale products is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). In 1982, the IWC adopted a moratorium on commercial whaling, effective from 1986. Hunting of whales continues through exceptions to the moratorium. ‘scientific whaling’) in 1988, and has steadily expanded this programme to include western North Pacific common minke whales, sei whales, Bryde’s whales, sperm whales and, most recently, fin whales from the Antarctic (see the electronic supplementary material S1, table S1). Japan and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) allow a thriving commercial sale of whales killed in incidental fisheries ‘bycatch’ (Lukoschek et al 2009). Iceland and Norway initiated whaling under Special Permit following the moratorium but conduct commercial whaling in the North Atlantic under an ‘objection’ to the moratorium

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Results

Conclusion