A statement released in mid-April by PEER contends that the State Department is approving this foreign vessel research without requiring that these vessels get the same permits domestic researchers must or monitoring their activities. PEER noted the largest recorded beaching of rare Bering Sea beaked whales while Japanese whaling researchers operated nearby.
“Foreign researchers should abide by the same marine resource safeguards and disclosure requirements as domestic research vessels,” stated PEER Executive Director Tim Whitehouse, who sent a letter to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken outlining suggested reforms.
