This kicks the issue to the next conference of CITES parties, when we'll hopefully have more info on poaching and the status of elephant populations.

Signed in the 1940s, the Convention on Whaling is a gentleman's agreement without enforcement provisions. That would be fine if Japan knew how to act like a gentleman.

We are still unclear about what's in the water. We don't know the potential impact on food resources. Long-term assessments are needed.

Japan tends to focus on small-island developing states with marine-focused economies and marine-focused cultures.

Something rare and new usually brings a high price.

It is very clear that regional fishery management organizations have failed to properly conserve shark populations. This is a great disappointment for shark conservation.

Any major change to convention regulations requires a three-fourths vote. Japan has a quarter block over the minority on most issues. That creates an uphill hurdle when it comes to increasing or decreasing protection for whales.