Japan's Vote Consolidation Operation
If the Japanese case for whaling is so strong, why do they have to resort to these means to gain support?

Bowhead Whales
It is beneath the dignity of a great nation like Japan to play politics with the bowhead quota request of the Alaska Natives.

Aboriginal/Subsistence Whaling
IFAW does not oppose nor campaign against aboriginal subsistence whaling.

What is the IWC?
Discover the important role the International Whaling Commission (IWC) plays in determining the future of the world's whales.

The Southern Ocean Sanctuary
The Southern Ocean Sanctuary is located in the waters around Antarctica and provides long-term protection to approximately three-quarters of the world's remaining great whales.  Find out why keeping this sanctuary protected is critical to the long-term survival of whales.

Using Non-Invasive Research to Study Whales
Whales don't need to be killed in order to be studied.  Learn how IFAW plays a leading role in the development of whale study techniques that don't hurt whales.

Norway and the IWC
Norway continues to hunt minke whales, ignoring the global ban on whaling.

Whales and Fisheries
Pro-whaling nations argue that whales compete with fishermen for fish.  This ignores the fact that humans are responsible for over-fishing.

The Harmful Effects of Ocean Noise
Man-made noise in the world's oceans is a serious form of pollution that can lead to behavioral disturbance, physical injury and even death of whales and other marine mammals.

Iceland and Whaling
Despite the ban on whaling, Iceland has killed more than 500 fin, sei and minke whales since 1986.

Whales for Sale
According to DNA research supported by IFAW, meat from endangered and protected whales is widely available in Japanese and Korean markets.  Japan's "scientific" whaling is providing a cover for the illegal hunting of, and trade in, endangered species.

Caribbean Countries and the International Whaling Commission
Despite a reputation for pristine ocean environments, the six Eastern Caribbean island members of the IWC have all recently voted consistently to oppose conservation of the great whales.

Unlawful: Japanese “Scientific Whaling”
An international panel of independent legal experts have determined that Japanese scientific whaling is in fact “unlawful” under international law, a dramatic finding that opposes Japan’s long-held stance that it has the legal right to commercially hunt whales in the name of scientific research.

Whale Watching
Whale watching is a one billion ($US) dollar industry with four hundred and ninety two communities in 90 nations and territories offering whale watching to ten million people each year.

Counting Whales
It is important to understand whale numbers and distribution patterns so that we can address all threats to their survival. IFAW scientists have invested considerable effort into developing better ways to locate and count whales.