Prominent Sushi Brand Deals with Canned Whale Meat Company Kyokuyo Co. Ltd

The International Fund for Animal Welfare reports on their website of True World Foods Inc. a prominent seafood distributor in the U.S formed an alliance with the Japanese whale meat distributors Kyokuyo in 2006 saying that Kyokuyo would be able to distribute sushi in the U.S. While the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) admits that True World food may be unaware of the fact that Kyokuyo deals in canned whale meat and is a firm supporter and advocate of whaling in Japan, their target is still focused on True World Foods in an effort to gain True World Food's support in the persuasion of Kyokuyo's immediate withdrawal from the whale meat distribution and whaling industry.

Kyokuyo has been a part of the whaling industry since the 1930s, and is at this point still a key player and staunch advocate of the business. Obviously at this point we know the consequences of whaling, we know the fragile state of our sea's whales, and we know the fragile balance that whales help to preserve. Still, Kyokuyo is now set to distribute sushi to the U.S through True World Foods who proudly serve over 7,000 restaurants in the U.S. You could be purchasing and supporting the whaling business in Japan inadvertently simply by eating at a restaurant that does business with True World Foods. This isn't to say that you should change your sushi habits, but perhaps we need to be more aware of where the seafood is coming from, and take a firmer stand against associations with companies such as Kyokuyo that supports and deals in whale meat.

As previously mentioned, one way to play a part in ending the whaling industry and the support for it in the U.S is to be aware of where you are buying from and what you are supporting in doing so. Additionally, the IFAW has set up a campaigned geared toward persuading True World Foods into talks with Kyokuyo concerning their agreement. The ultimate goal is for True World Foods to sway its partner's staunch support of whaling and their canned whale meat empire in Japan. This would help to end the whaling industry in the U.S and greatly reduce its hold over the Japanese food market. As such, you can visit the IFAW website to send letter to the heads of the company asking for their support of this goal. Additionally, funds can be donated to the anti-whaling cause supported and advocated by the IFAW.

Japan's whaling industry is a direct violation of the worldwide ban of commercial whaling, and is putting our sea's gentle giants in further danger of extinction. While most people are unconscious of the fact that their favorite seafood restaurant may be inadvertently supporting the whaling industry, it is our job to pay closer attention to the environment, our world, its creatures, and its needs. You can help this cause, and help uphold the commercial whaling ban through personal awareness and support of the IFAW.

IFAW Save the Whales Campaign Site: Stopwhaling.org

*Visit the action center to contribute with either a letter to True World Foods, a donation, or both. Also check out other anti-whaling campaigns that you can take part in.