WILLIAM GRAHAM RECALLING OVER 5,000 PEOPLE VISITING THE “NEWPORT FIN WHALE”
CONDEMNS JAPAN’S RESUMPTION OF HUMPBACK WHALE HUNTING
A media release on 19th November 2007
William Graham – Conservative AM for South Wales East – responding to the sailing of the Japanese Whaling fleet, which aims to break a 40 year ban on the hunting and killing of humpback whales:
“In September 2004 when the body of a 60ft long Fin whale was washed up near the Newport East Lighthouse, from early morning until dusk over 5,000 people walked over 2 miles along the coastal path to view this ‘giant of the sea’. I know many people throughout the Newport area will be deeply saddened by the news that once again whales will be harpooned and killed”.
“The International Whaling Commission classifies the hump back whale as ‘at risk’, and there is world-wide condemnation of Japan’s actions”.
“Japan claims it kills over a 1,000 whales every year for scientific research. Scientists around the world query this, as not a single report has ever been published in a scientific journal”.
“The whale meat from these killings is sold commercially to the food industry, not as a by-product of scientific research but the main aim of the whaling fleet”.
William Graham JP, AM
CHIEF WHIP, PARTY CHAIRMAN AND EUROPEAN SPOKESMAN
Email – William.Graham@Wales.gov.uk