The three most notorious whale killing nations on Earth are collaborating to engage in the illegal international trafficking in endangered species.

Norway and Iceland are unlawfully shipping Fin and Minke whale meat to Japan, and Japan is making illegal purchases of this meat. In response to this, other nations are saying nothing or sending mild letters of protest. Enforcement is non-existent.

This revelation of shipments of whale meat from Iceland and Norway to Japan that began five months ago marks the first time since 1988 that whale meat had been exported.

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry officially authorized the trade on February 6^th, 2009 to ship 5.6 tons of Minke whale from Norway. Iceland began shipping Fin and Minke whale meat in 2008.

Tests demonstrated that the whale meat contained high levels of mercury. The Japanese government said the tests on raw whale meat failed and that only cooked whale meat may be sold.

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society condemns this illegal trafficking in whale meat and urges conservation minded nations to invoke sanctions against Japan, Iceland and Norway in accordance with international conservation law.

Link: http://www.japantoday.com/category/business/view/japan-approves-resumption-of-whale-meat-imports-from-norway