Genetic evidence of illegal trade in protected whales links Japan with the US and South Korea

Authors

C. Scott Baker, Oregon State University, NewportFollow
Debbie Steel, Oregon State University, Newport
Yeyong Choi, Ocean Committee, Korean Federation for Environmental Movements, Seoul, South Korea
Hang Lee, Conservation and Genome Resource Bank for Korean Wildlife, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
Kyung Seok Kim, Conservation and Genome Resource Bank for Korean Wildlife, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
Sung Kyoung Choi, Conservation and Genome Resource Bank for Korean Wildlife, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
Yong-Un Ma, Nature Conservation Committee, Korean Federation for Environmental Movements, Seoul, South Korea
Charles Hambleton, Oceanic Preservation Society, Boulder, CO
Louie Psihoyos, Oceanic Preservation Society, Boulder, CO
R. L. Brownell Jr,, National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Science CenterFollow
Naoko Funahashi, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Tokyo, Japan

Date of this Version

2010

Comments

Published in Biol. Lett..

Abstract

We report on genetic identification of ‘whale meat’ purchased in sushi restaurants in Los Angeles, CA (USA) in October 2009 and in Seoul, South Korea in June and September 2009. Phylogenetic analyses of mtDNA cytochrome b sequences confirmed that the products included three species of whale currently killed in the controversial scientific whaling program of Japan, but which are protected from international trade: the fin, sei and Antarctic minke. The DNA profile of the fin whale sold in Seoul established a match to products purchased previously in Japan in September 2007, confirming unauthorized trade between these two countries. Following species identification, these products were handed over to the appropriate national or local authorities for further investigation. The illegal trade of products from protected species of whales, presumably taken under a national permit for scientific research, is a timely reminder of the need for independent, transparent and robust monitoring of any future whaling.