Japanese Firms Quit Whaling

[Charles]

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Japanese Firms Quit Whaling
The five Japanese fishing companies that owned the nation's whaling fleet recently announced that they're getting out of the whaling business.
Anti-whaling organizations called the announcement a "victory" for their movement.
"This is an important milestone as we continue our work to end whaling once and for all," said John Hocevar, an oceans specialist with activist group Greenpeace, who is based in Austin, Texas.
Nissui, Japan's second largest marine products company, and four other firms jointly owned whaling company Kyodo Senpaku. This business operated the six-ship whaling fleet on behalf of the Institute of Cetacean Research under the authority of the Japanese government.
All five firms say they will "soon donate" their shareholdings in Kyodo Senpaku to public organizations, including the government-backed research institute.
The Japanese government, meanwhile, vowed to press on with its controversial annual whale hunt....more...

[GomiGirl]

Perhaps this is due to the glut in whale meat (eg and prices dropping) and not any activism.

Anti-whaling activists say the demand for whale meat in Japan has dwindled, especially among young people.

The power of the market... but if the activisim has caused this downturn then it can be called a success. In my circles, whale meat is just not a part of regular conversations - now horse meat is a different story. Go figure..