Those who enjoy whale as a delicacy will be paying more to feed their habit. Ever since the Korea Cost Guard strengthened efforts to stop illegal whale poaching and trading of the meat last year, the price has doubled.

Several areas in Korea have begun to enforce the strict rules surrounding whaling and whale trading, which led to the arrest of three seamen being yesterday for poaching and illegally selling whale meat. The men are accused of violating the law a minimum of three times between May and August last year. In the 1980s, whaling was completely banned in Korea's coastal waters and and parameters were set regarding the conditions under which whales could be auctioned, including mammals that were accidentally caught or found dead. The Coast Guard must first confirm the whales were not poached before they can be sold. A conviction of whale poaching may lead to imprisonment (up to three years) or a fine.

In Ulsan, an area of Korea that accounts for over 80 per cent of whale meat consumption in the country, more than 40 whale meat restaurants are currently open for business. The demand to service 40 restaurants with whale meat would mean a lot of "accidental" capturing or naturally-occurring deaths, would it not? Something about it sure seems a little fishy (all right, go ahead and groan, it's well-deserved).

» The Chosun Ilbo