Clinton Decides Against Sanctions

Before leaving office, President Clinton decided against imposing trade restrictions on Japan under the Pelly Amendment to the Fishermen’s Protective Act for expanding its so-called “scientific whaling” to include Brydes and Sperm whales. The Act authorizes the President to impose sanctions on any government that “diminishes the effectiveness” of international fisheries treaties. Although the US has joined the majority of International Whaling Commission member countries in criticizing Japanese “scientific” whaling as thinly disguised commercial whaling, Clinton ignored the recommendation of his Commerce Secretary, Norman Mineta, and worldwide criticism of Japan’s actions. The outgoing President did not believe that “import restrictions would further our objectives at this time.” 

Norway Announces Plan to Sell
Whale Meat and Blubber to Japan

Norway has broken a longtime agreement with the US against international sale of whale products by issuing a permit allowing longtime whaler Steiner Basteson, a Member of the Norwegian Parliament and Head of the High North Alliance, to trade in whale parts with Japan. Norwegian whalers have killed an increasing number of minke whales recently.

On January 17, 2001, Norway’s leading newspaper Aftenposten, contained numerous articles on the Norwegian government’s decision to lift the ban on international trade in whale meat and blubber. Under the headline, “A Day of Joy, Say Whalers” one article notes, “the export ban’s fall calls forth jubilation among whalers and purchasers.” Norwegian Pål Arntzen exclaimed: “‘the blubber mountain can now be converted to cold cash.’”

Another whaler, Olav Olavsen, adds: “‘it is high time to increase the catch…the year’s quota of 549 minke whales could have been raised to 2000 animals….You have to also consider selecting other whale species. The fin whale population is large, and the hunting of that can provide business and make life in small settlements even more interesting.’"