Japan’s Kyodo Senpaku has launched a new state-of-the-art blue whale hunting ship named Kangei Maru.
Whaling has been a significant part of recent human history, with many whale species, including blue whales, facing severe threats due to human activities. In 1986, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) banned commercial whaling, but countries like Japan, Norway, and Finland opposed the ban, arguing that whaling is deeply connected to their cultural and historical heritage.
The new vessel, costing $48 million, is specifically designed for hunting blue whales. Owned by entrepreneur Hideki Tokoro and launched by Kyodo Senpaku, the Kangei Maru will embark on an eight-month hunt in the northern seas of Japan.
Kangei Maru is 370 feet long and weighs 9,300 tons. It follows the earlier blue whale hunting ship ‘Nisshin Maru,’ which was often criticized by environmentalists as a “floating slaughterhouse.” After nearly three decades of whaling missions, Nisshin Maru was decommissioned in 2020 amidst numerous protests from environmental activists.
![Whale_New blue whale hunting ship](https://cdn.emiratitimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/22150301/Whale_New-blue-whale-hunting-ship.jpg)
Kangei Maru is more powerful than its predecessor, capable of traveling continuously for 60 days with a range of 13,000 kilometers. The ship is equipped with advanced drones that can detect whales within a 100-kilometer radius and has the capability to capture whales up to 85 feet in length. According to Hideki Tokoro, the company’s director, blue whales are significant predators that consume large quantities of fish and other marine life, leading to food scarcity for humans. Tokoro argues that hunting blue whales is essential for maintaining ecological balance.
However, environmentalists have strongly opposed these claims. They emphasize that blue whales, besides being the largest creatures on Earth, play a crucial role in the circulation of nutrients and minerals in the oceans, making them vital for the marine ecosystem.
WE RECOMMEND | Find Out: Have we evolved from being ‘Parents’ to ‘Guardians’?