New data shows that humpback whale populations have been growing steadily over recent decades, and as a result, the U.S. government may take the humpback whale off the endangered species list.

Last year, the National Marine Fisheries Service, an agency of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), received results from an extensive study showing that the north Pacific humpback whale population has been growing 4-7% a year over the past few decades.

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GP is hoping that Japanese whalers did NOT read the Top 12 Hotspots for Whale Watching. Japan is notorious for hunting humpback whales in the Antarctic region among other places by using a loophole in a 1986 International Whaling Commission moratorium that allows countries to kill 1,000 whales each year for ‘lethal research.’ Japan is not the only culprit. Norway and Iceland defy it outright.

Japan has agreed to not hunt again this year after strong protests led by Australia. The Japanese were prepared to resume the hunt after some 40 years of not doing so. Discussions have been ongoing between the anti-whaling nations and pro whaling nations for several years. Whale watching is a major tourist attraction for Australia. Japanese like to whale watch meat on their plates.  Japan did hunt other whales but eventually gave it up after it was harassed by environmentalists.

Isn’t there a way to come to some conclusion without harassment and Japanese whalers stubbornly going about their business? What’s your idea?