Whaling: Compromise or outright ban?

Whaling should be regulated in exactly the same way in which all other fishing is regulated.

Much like the recent utter failure of the world moritorium on tuna fishing, any failure to control whaling represents a concious decision to fish certain species into extinction.

Japan and its allies have already decided to fish Blue Fin Tuna until there are absolutely none left - I really hope that they don't get the green light to do the same to the whales.

Of course the really sick thing about Japanese whaling is that there isn't even a market for the whale meat they produce - in recent years they've had to give it away on school menus or even destroy the surplus -yet Japanese governments continually insist on trying to take even more out of the ocean.

We have depleted so many of the stocks in the sea you would think we would have learned our lesson.

The sea is unlike other food sources, it is not a man managed framing operation designed to feed large numbers, it is a natural resource with limited capacity.

Having nearly made a number of species of whales extinct are we really about to have another go ?

Ban it now, and forget about resurrecting this unnecessary industry ... ever .

Ban all whaling with no exceptions.

These countries should be allowed to hunt whales, but only by using traditional boats and traditional equipment. No modern whaling ships - No rocket launched harpoons

After all they usually claim it is part of their traditions so get out there in rowing boats with hand launched harpoons.........

Outright ban - the only reason for killing whales is mans greed, as it is with sharks and dolphins. Backward nations (and Japan in lots of ways is still backward) have misguided beliefs in healing powers of parts of these mammals and fish. Time they got real and realised there are no magic cures from mammal or fish parts, time for them to get a grip of the damage they are doing to the ecological system with their backward ideas.

Ban. There is absolutely no reason for killing these mammals.

There is no good reason to hunt whales,for food no,for their oil no,for research no.If the japanes want a snack buy a sea weed burger.

I would be in favour of an outright ban.

Two reasons:

1. While not as in a bad way as some species, whales are under threat in terms of survival and they ought to be protected.

2. Especially when whale products are not vital: all the needs being met by them can be met using other, more sustainable, resources.

The 'scientific research' excuse the whaling nations use is the most appalling piece of political non-sense one can read.

Ban it now and ban it completely. End the cruel, long and painful deaths we inflict on these rare and beautiful creatures.

I also favour an outright ban.

I like to think of myself as a bit of a realist and as such have always supported the claim that hunting any animal for food is perfectly acceptable.

However, with whales as well as a number of other animals (gorillas, sharks, elephants etc) I can't, in all good conscience, condone the killing of these animals for any reason.

I understand fully the argument for tradition, but this is one tradition better of consigned to the history books.

I would hope therefore that an all out ban on the hunting of these creatures would be instigated.


In addition, I would like to state that I would like to see a wider discussion globally taking place on what we take from the sea. If you watch any documentary TV programs covering subjects such as fishing by various nations around the world, there is a noticable decline in fish stocks of varying sorts.

In order to allow the seas to replenish, I would like to see a partial ban on various forms of fishing, the types of fish being taken and the numbers of boats out.

Slightly hippified thinking you might say, but we really can't go on like this forever. Stocks of bluefin tuna as well as cod are precariously low. Are we really gonna turn a blind eye to this?

Outright ban, no arguments.
However, the cynic in me suspects that there will be a lot of people with vested interests who will make sure it continues, and too many prepared to covieniently forget their integrity and moral standards and accept the bribes being offered. Sadly, the consequences of hunting a species to extinction seems to be totally beyond the comprehension of some people, so greedy are they for profit.

1. At 10:35am on 21 Jun 2010, entreri100404 wrote:
Whaling should be regulated in exactly the same way in which all other fishing is regulated.
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Err...you mean like Bluefin Tuna or North Sea Cod?

Ban it for all but genuine scientific reasearch. And by that I mean for all but bodies such as recognised Oceanographic Institutes.
The Japanese (and others) excuse of 'research' is as laughable as it is contemptible.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

There is no question - whaling should be banned. No exceptions, no "scientific research" - nothing.

Maybe once we learn to respect the lives and dominions of other species, we can begin to look at how we treat ourselves?

1. At 10:35am on 21 Jun 2010, entreri100404 wrote:
"Whaling should be regulated in exactly the same way in which all other fishing is regulated"

Whales aren't fish.

Ignoring THAT fairly crucial point of biology 'all other fishing' isn't regulated. Its why there's no cod any more off the Grand Banks. They were fished to extinction.

If a species of whales is becoming extinct then the whaling of that species should be banned. If they're not becoming extinct then I have no objection to whaling (or the taking of any non-threatened species) for food. I do however object to an animal being killed for one tiny part of it to use in some unproven medicine or for tusks and such as in elephant and rhino.

Based on the reports over the last couple of weeks about how the Japanese govt funds some of the smaller countries at the IWC, there is more than a little waft of the scent of corruption coming from the IWC.

Of course the reports in the papers are only allegations and given how serious they are should be investigated properly. But if they are true then whaling must simply be banned for the next 10 years and that includes "scientific" research killings. The Japanese may not like it, but that will be justice should the allegations be true.

Long term I have no problem with commercial whaling subject to two conditions:

1. Whale stocks must be at a level significantly highly than current, all fishing must be managed on a sustainable level (as determined by independent scientists which excludes anyone with any connection to the Japanese govt)

2. Whaling must be done in a humane manner, which the current methods are not.

I totally understand those who say that whaling is unnecessary, so is eating any type of fish or shellfish, but we have always done so because they are (a) tasty and (b) a good part of human diet. I have never eaten whale so I have no idea whether tasty or not, but I am willing to accept that it may, like many fish, actually be a very good constitutent of diet for many reasons. But I would always also say that fishing should only be carried out when the stocks can support fishing, done in a sustainable fashion and done humanely.

Sadly we seem unable to exploit the seas in a sustainable fashion

Either ban whaling totally or introduce a significant cull of those humans who eat them, after all, fairs fair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The choice is simple.If we want whales to still be here in 100 years then we have to ban ALL hunting. Its not a question of livelihoods its a question of a entire species being wiped out.When the last one has gone that livelihood will also be extinct anyway.To those who argue for hunting to remain I say-get a life and stop complaining.All ways of life are liable to change or end altogether-live with it the rest of us have to.

I wonder why it is that so many people are horrified by the thought of hunting and eating whales, but would probably not have the same pangs of distress for porky pig or Ermintrude.

Don't get me wrong, I eat flesh, no problem with that, probably some things I wouldn't eat though, because of cruelty, (veal, fois gras to name but two) but if the hunting is controlled and mananged, in the way it can be sustainable, what is the objection?

Is it because we think they can talk? Have we given them personalities?

We also don't seem to get quite as upset about killing each other either do we? Can't remember the last time I saw a peace caravan and a Greenpeace helicopter hove into view in a war zone and 48,000 people having a sit-in in Afghanistan and Iraq to stop the fighting? (random numbers, just for illustration)

Odd lot, aren't we.

No compromises! An outright global ban is long overdue.

Ban all whaling, it is inhumane. People that do it are disgusting, evil people, you make me sick.

In my opinion there should be an outright ban on whaling. If not, we shall see the Japanese killing more whales then they should for scientific research and pretty soon there will be none left.

19. At 11:47am on 21 Jun 2010, Count Otto Black wrote:

If a species of whales is becoming extinct then the whaling of that species should be banned. If they're not becoming extinct then I have no objection to whaling (or the taking of any non-threatened species) for food. I do however object to an animal being killed for one tiny part of it to use in some unproven medicine or for tusks and such as in elephant and rhino.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

Just about every animal is threatened with extinction, except cows and sheep. This is due to the human race growing to unsustainable levels. Maybe there should be a cull of humans as there are other animals.

Outright ban, please....with no exceptions for alleged 'scientific' research purposes. Scientific, my foot!

BAN IT COMPLETELY! It is disgusting that we still do this at all. I am a meat-eater, but I do not believe in hunting an animal from the wild for food, fur, or anything else for that matter. If they can sustainably farm whales, and kill them humanely then, in my opinion, I think that would be fine. But I don't imagine it is possible with an animal that size, that takes so long to mature/reproduce etc etc.

And tradition - Europeans used to whale for leisure but most don't partake in it now. I suppose it can be compared to fox hunting, which I also find a disgusting, outdated tradition that should be banned. But, in fox hunter's defense, at least we are overrun with foxes, unlike whales.

And this scientific research? What exactly are they researching that they need to keep on killing whales for? I would like to be told the exact experiements they are conducting on the dead whales, and to whose benefit they are for! If it's scientific, surely they can use the carcasses of previously hunted whales. Absolute and utter bull****!!!!

All animals are fair game for food if they are sustainable and slaughtered humanely in my view. Ideally, we should favour farmed animals over wild as they pretty much exist for that purpose. Whales are currently endangered and so should not be killed for food and this should be strongly enforced by the global community.

As an aside re comments 6 and 12 - beware bundling sharks in with whales in this debate. Shark is pretty common as a foodstuff and good eating - indeed the most common Australian chip shop fish (as prevelant as Cod in the UK) is Flake, which is shark.

What makes the whale any different from any other aquatic species? Do we pontificate, protest and cause mayhem when we hear of depleted stocks of cod or herring? No. It deserves the same level of regulation as any other sea creature.

"#5. At 11:01am on 21 Jun 2010, pzero wrote:
These countries should be allowed to hunt whales, but only by using traditional boats and traditional equipment. No modern whaling ships - No rocket launched harpoons.

After all they usually claim it is part of their traditions so get out there in rowing boats with hand launched harpoons........."

Yes, I see where you're going with this but they might also claim, with some justification, that your concession is half-hearted and has selected totally arbitrary restrictions.

Perhaps the whalers should be made to dive in armed only with their teeth and 'wrestle' the whales ashore? But that of course would be rediculous

Ban it and boycott any goods from any country that kills whales. Such as Norway, Japan and Iceland. It's inhumane and totally unneccesary.

Bear bating was once traditional in these parts but thankfully we grew up and banned that, along with other barbaric acts.

23. At 11:58am on 21 Jun 2010, FrankandTomsDad wrote:
I wonder why it is that so many people are horrified by the thought of hunting and eating whales, but would probably not have the same pangs of distress for porky pig or Ermintrude.


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Could it possibly be that

a) Many species of whales hunted by the Japanese are on the endagered list, those that are not endangered are on the at risk' list.

Cows & Pigs are not endangered and anyway can be farmed in ways that maintain a constant population. - therefore the smug hypocrasy you are hinting at does not exist.

b) There really is not much of a market for whale meat. The Japanese collect far more whale meat than anyone actually wants - In recent years the Japanese government has tried to run ad campaigns to boost its popularity, as well puting the surplus on school menus and they've still had to destroy some of their stocks because nobody wants it.

c) If you read the posts you will see that its not just whales many of us are concerned about - Its nations that choose to act as if the sea's bounty is without limits, even though they know full well that it is not.

I'm thinking in particular of the recent refusal from certain nations, including Japan, to protect stocks of Blue Fin Tuna - a decision they and every other nation in the world knows full well will result in the extinction of Blue Fin Tuna within the next few years.

#20 "we have always done so because they are (a) tasty and (b) a good part of human diet. I have never eaten whale so I have no idea whether tasty or not, but I am willing to accept that it may, like many fish, actually be a very good constitutent of diet for many reasons."

Unfortunately for that argument Whales ARE NOT FISH. They're mammals. Whales were historically hunted for their oil, not their meat. Because the meat is so oily it tastes absolutely disgusting (it was briefly available in the UK during the 1940's) and is about as good for you as a deep fried mars bar. The Japanese can't sell all the whale meat they catch now and it ends up in pet food or being given away to school canteens.

More to the point it is not a traditional food in Japan either and only became popular after WW2 (not least because it takes a rocket propelled harpoon to kill a large whale)

"Whaling: Compromise or outright ban?"

I'd prefer an outright ban, but if it comes to a compromise based on traditions than it should be a real compromise based on tradition, that is, you can only hunt the traditional way with traditional whalers and traditional weapons.

The whalers have used tradition as an excuse to bash the ban, again and again, so only this type of compromise will let them have their traditions and protect whale populations at the same time.

Whaling based on modern technology is not traditional enough; is no compromise; nor is it fair to the majority who oppose whaling.

Can't have it both ways, or else it's hypocrisy.

The hunting of animals so close to extintion for food is repugnant, particularly when it is done in such an 'industrial', mechanised fashion - it's a bit akin to the idea of fishing with dynamite.

Why don't we investigate whether proactive breeding of endangered whale species can be encouraged? Probably too difficult.

No compromise. Outright ban. How dare we kill these gentle giants.

Heart says ban hunting these amazing creatures.

Head says look at that lovely thick piece of rare fillet steak and tells me not to be so hypocritical.

I suppose because whales cannot be 'farmed' we have to be sure that they are not put at risk.

Would I eat whale? No. Neither would I eat elephant or dolphin. The intelligent the animal, the more I have a problem. Hypocritical I know.

The IWC has been largely ineffectual because of the strength of feeling amongst communities whose culture has always involved whaling, and the cynical use of 'words' used by others to 'mask' commercial whaling methods.

However, without the IWC, we do not know how many species of whale would survive hunting methods that are technology enhanced. There has been much hostile debate about whale hunting with protesters claiming cruelty and supporters claiming ignorance, in a battle every bit as bitter as rivalry over fox hunting.

To add a little perspective to this problem we are unable to prevent piracy on our high seas, so I really do not see how the IWC can hope for anything more than common sense amongst the dozen or so main players.

While I abhor the thought of hunting whales I can appreciate that for some nations this is a huge source of income. It's easy to be judgemental but think what effect a total ban would have on the economy of said countries.

The moral high ground is a grand place to stand if you want to look down on practices you don't agree with but the world must be realistic and allow whale hunting, under regulation, to continue.

You can't take away a nation's major source of income just because it offends you. How would we cope if farming cattle, sheep, pigs and fowl were banned?

I read somewhere that if we could hear the cry of whales we would not be able to tolerate it,it would be so deafeningly agonising.Maybe the pro-whaling community should have to listen to this.

No question, - an outright ban - including killing whales for 'scientific reasons'.

There's no reason to kill these creatures.

I think the ban should be backed up with sanctions. I'd start by making it illegal to eat sushi in the UK, and look at banning other Japanese imports too if they don't listen. It would be the height of hypocracy to disagree with any whaling nation on this and continue to buy their products. That goes for all you people with a back yard saunas too.

#41 " You can't take away a nation's major source of income just because it offends you."

Ignoring the fact that that's exactly what we did when we ended the slave trade by no stretch of the imagination is major gas & oil exporter Norway or Industrial giant Japan's main source of income Whale hunting. The 400 Whales a year they kill doesn't really compare to Toyota or Nissan's economic importance.

Japan especially gives the damn whale meat away. Its not even a commerically valuable product. They refuse to stop hunting Whales over national pride, not for financial or dietary reasons. Given that Japan claims it only hunts for 'scientific reasons' they can't claim economic reasons anyway without making a mockery over the excuses they've made so far.

Incidentally I happily eat Cows and Pigs. However neither are critically endangered and they're not killed slowly over several hours. Nor do I try to claim my bacon sandwich is 'scientific research'.

The problem for me is the ludicrous scientific whaling loophole.

I support peoples right to hunt whales for food with the following caveats:

1) The whale population can sustain it.

2) The demand for whale meat is actually there and it is not just a
process of job protection.

3) It is done as humanely as possible.

Given these conditions there really can be no objection to harvesting whales on moral grounds.

What is almost comical is the current legislation which bans whaling on protection grounds but then lets Japan, for example, kill thousands of them every year for so-called scientific research.

With that number culled every year for the last decade, every science lab in Japan would be sinking under tons of whale meat. And of course we would all expect to see some stupendous scientific breakthroughs.

Either ban whaling on proper scientific grounds or lift the ban altogether - this current fudge makes complete fools of the IWC.

There is an awful lot of romantic twaddle on here: -

"... I read somewhere that if we could hear the cry of whales we would not be able to tolerate it..."

"..How dare we kill these gentle giants..."

"...Ban all whaling, it is inhumane. People that do it are disgusting, evil people, you make me sick..."

"...There is absolutely no reason for killing these mammals..."

The only real debate is whether we should allow the hunting of endangered species for food - the crying, giant, mammals nonsense is pathetic.

Try to keep a logical head on folks, lets not go down the I like foxes 'cos they're furry line.

44. At 12:48pm on 21 Jun 2010, SeasideSteve wrote:
I think the ban should be backed up with sanctions. I'd start by making it illegal to eat sushi in the UK and look at banning other Japanese imports too if they don't listen.


Why?

Sushi is mainly rice and seaweed with a bit of tuna or smoked salmon in it. Its got no whale meat in it and I doubt if any of the sushi you eat in the UK has been within 10,000 miles of Japan or has anything to do with Japanese companies. We actually import very little from Japan (their stuff is expensive, unlike Chinese made goods)... most Japanese cars in the UK (Honda, Nissan & Toyota) are made here and exported back to Japan (the Japanese drive on the left too) I'm unsure how damaging M&S's lunch trade, the scottish salmon farms that provide the fish and putting 50,000 car workers in Derby, Sunderland and Swindon out of a job will do anything to save Whales.

You might as well ban beefburgers in opposition to the US invading Iraq. Likewise I doubt the backyard Saunas are made in Norway either, however the gas you use to heat your house probably came from there.

"4. At 10:57am on 21 Jun 2010, frankiecrisp wrote:
Ban all whaling with no exceptions."

I totaly agree.

A response to the first comment on this post...whales aren't fish. they are mammals.

I would be in favour of a ban. There is no actual reliance on whale products anymore, so no need to maintain "traditions"

The only wale hunting I would be in favour of is for native survival.

By that I mean for example the Inuit people of Alaska, Canada, and Greenland where wale hunting is a means of survival. We might call them 3rd or 4th world cultures.

Commerical or "scientific" wale hunting by developed countries should be banned out right.

We should be banning tuna and swordfish fishing along with whaling.

The fishing industry is perverse- it's in a race to destroy itself.
You only have to se the idiotic comments from fishermen every time quotas or reductions are discussed. Catches are decreasing year on year and more efficient mehtods allow them to catch the tiny quantities of fish that are left.

The whole world needs to have strong and enforced quotas at the very least, and otright bans in many cases, or the seas will soon be full of nothing but plankton and carrier bags.

Simon Morgan @ 46

Good point well made.

I would go one step further and say that as long as hunting for sport is allowed (and that includes people who go fishing) then you cannot say no to hunting whales just because they look nice. If it is because they are endangered then there is a proper scientific argument, but if you accept fishing for, e.g trout, as a sport then there is no proper basis for banning hunting of any other non-endangered animals for sport.

Killing whales is not quick and painless. It is horrible, bloody and slow. They are highly intelligent animals.

When Iceland ceased whaling their ships ran whale-watching trips. There are alternative ways to make money. But we'll dream up any excuse to continue killing another species or one of our own, won't we?

And to think that we imagine that we are civilised.

Whaling needs to stop. NOW.

1. At 10:35am on 21 Jun 2010, entreri100404 wrote:
Whaling should be regulated in exactly the same way in which all other fishing is regulated.

====================
Why? Whales aren't fish. For most fish, once the eggs hatch, the fry are on their own. Whales nurse their young for years. Whales tend to have one infant at a time where most fish lay from thousand to millions of eggs.

19. At 11:47am on 21 Jun 2010, Count Otto Black wrote:
If a species of whales is becoming extinct then the whaling of that species should be banned. If they're not becoming extinct then I have no objection to whaling (or the taking of any non-threatened species) for food. I do however object to an animal being killed for one tiny part of it to use in some unproven medicine or for tusks and such as in elephant and rhino.
==========================
The most prolific and unthreatened warm blooded species on the planet is mankind.

So, have you any preference as to how you are to be cooked?

44. At 12:48pm on 21 Jun 2010, SeasideSteve wrote:

"I think the ban should be backed up with sanctions. I'd start by making it illegal to eat sushi in the UK, and look at banning other Japanese imports too if they don't listen. It would be the height of hypocracy to disagree with any whaling nation on this and continue to buy their products. That goes for all you people with a back yard saunas too."


I'm not convinced that all sushi is imported from Japan, or all saunas imported from Scandinavia. I also don't think they'd really care if we stopped buying sushi or saunas. I'm not convinced that UK citizens would be happy tho.

I hope every whaling ship sinks. I'm sure that's pleasant compared to being harpooned. Humans are disgustingly evil.

I agree with the Australians and am disgusted that the UK government is too weak to do what is right.

If you want to put pressure on Japan, the only way would be to not buy anything made by Toyota, Honda, Suzuki, Lexus. Mitsibushi, etc. Don't buy cars or consumer electronics that are made in Japan or made by Japanese-owned companies. They would soon get the idea if everyone concerned about whales were to take this approach.

Equally, Iceland is dependent upon tourism - don't go there! Also, they are keen to join the EU - write to your Euro MP and make your views known!

It is only economic and political pressure that will see these countries change their attitudes. Clearly, they will never see whaling as a moral issue.

TOTALLY CONFUSED ON WHY HUMANS NEED TO CONTINUE WHALE HUNTING:

1) Why, in the 21st century, does ANY country need to hunt and kill whales in such huge numbers?

2) Are there some 'hidden' industries DRIVING whale hunting?

3) Does the pet food industry drive over-fishing of all fish and all sea mammals INCLUDING whales?

4) Obviously, some cultures genuinely respect the whale and eat whale meat. However, some sell on the blubber to food factories to bulk out processed food to humans and for animals?

5) No, am no expert and have no conservation links - don't need any - ordinary people like me know and see all the waste, wonder where it all goes, have a suspicion, but are feeling helpless by big industry?

In fact, conservation agencies (with enormous budgets and incomes) are a disgrace and obviously failing animals and humans globally?

There are many unanswered questions on fishing - which already causes conflict - which will presumably increase conflict between humans?

At 10:35am on 21 Jun 2010, entreri100404 wrote:
"Whaling should be regulated in exactly the same way in which all other fishing is regulated."
WHALING ISN'T FISHING!
That's the whole point of the massive worldwide protest movement against whaling. Whaling involves the cruel, painful and totally unnecessary slaughter of sentient mammals by wealthy "first world" nations, who are not feeding starving millions, but seek merely to maintain traditional seafaring practices, or provide the jaded palates of their chattering classes with expensive delicacies.
The other distasteful aspect of this matter is the totally pointless and cynical inclusion of many minor, non-whaling, nations on the International Whaling Commission - Croatia, Eritrea, Cote d'Ivoire, Luxembourg, Mali, etc., etc.
Shameful! Shameful! Shameful!

I don't want to sound pedantic, but the issue here is not whether whaling is banned or not, it is whether we should continue with the moratorium in place or to work to some kind of compromise deal. I think that the majority of the UK population would probably prefer an outright ban but I believe that (for whatever reason - maybe someone can enlighten me here) this is not an option. Because of this - however hard it is to agree on resuming of whaling in some form - I believe that a strictly controlled and regulated whaling industry is preferable to work towards the end goal, which we shouldn't forget is not about whaling or not whaling, but is the survival of animals under threat/endangered... I think that is why even Greenpeace support some sort of deal as they believe that the deal being discussed is a significant improvement to the current situation.

#53 "I would go one step further and say that as long as hunting for sport is allowed (and that includes people who go fishing) then you cannot say no to hunting whales just because they look nice. If it is because they are endangered then there is a proper scientific argument, but if you accept fishing for, e.g trout, as a sport then there is no proper basis for banning hunting of any other non-endangered animals for sport."

Unlike Japanese whaling ships most 'sports anglers' return the fish to the water once its been caught. In many cases (and especially with grouse and pheasant hunting) the prey has been specially bred to be hunted. With deer hunting you only kill a small number of stags to limit population levels and with fox hunting you're eliminating vermin that would otherwise by killed by poisoning or trapping. There's no real comparision to whale hunting especially as the justification isn't sport but 'science'. Its also worth pointing out that if you allowed a deer or bird you'd hunted to die in agony over several hours you'd be prosecuted for animal cruelty regardless of whether the hunt is legal or not.

(incidentally I don't hunt anything... Tesco is so much easier)

Nothing but a total ban on whaling is acceptable.

No compromise outright ban now, end of story.

Ban!

Today, not in the future.

No brainer BBC

'Whaling compromise - or outright ban'? is the HYS question.

Tried much more internet research on this question since my first post and found it deeply depressing and confusing.

Conservation agencies and conservation organisations 'neglecting' sea conservation because they know they are impotent and helpless? You only have to look at 'fishing' under the EU Commission to realise the trouble here and now?

Unlike, land animals, it is notoriously difficult to track and protect sea mammals and sea fish?

Have looked at IWC site - pointless if you want information or stats on whaling. What is IWC for?

However, did glean that Norway and Iceland hunt whales, but was unable to ascertain the purpose and use of the whales hunted by Norway and Iceland? If those whales hunted were used well and usefully - fair enough, but such info' is unavailable?

Japan hunt whales for food, according to various websites, but perhaps they equally overfish whales and other species for unknown industrial purposes, apart from food for human consumptions, as do Norway and Iceland?

This whole issue appears deeply secretive and am disgusted by the secrecy of all nations who hunt whales? Hunting of all wild species in our seas and oceans by humans should be a need - not a want, not a sport and certainly not be a secret?

Yes, my post comments are in disarray - but a reflection of the internet research information out there regarding whaling?

"To Kill any animal for they meat is cruel and inhuman, but its SSSSSSOOOOOO tasty. What do you have with Whale-meat? Chips or new potatoes' The Right whale has the best favour so a friend told me he worked on japanese Whaler a few years ago. But How much will it cost today ?it has allways been very expensive to buy . it was on the menu in the U.K. {world war 2 } Ban hunting wont stop the trade ,in many countries it is sold every day.

We do not need whale products, we do not need "science" in the form of whale killing - we do need an outright ban. Only a few aboriginal communities that really rely on the meat should be allowed to hunt.

What bugs me is the whole scientific research angle that these countries claim they need to kill whales for. It's rubbish. What possible research can be gained towards aiding science from a huge non threatening mammal that peacefully roams the sea and actually sees human interest and interaction with them as on the whole, non threatening?

Also none of these countries that still hunt rely on killing whales to prop up their economies. It's a cheap sell they use for us all to take pity on them and try and remonstrate with the reasons they give to hunt in the first place.

I would urge anyone out there to watch the film/documentary called "The Cove". Then you'll really see the true colours of the industry and the people running it.

@56: As long as the slaughter method was fast and humane, I have no objection to being a food source.

Japan, Norway and Iceland do not require whale meat to sustain their populations. The arrogance of these countries in trying to justify their obscene behaviour towards these intelligent creatures and stitch up some deal is contemptuous. Boycott their products vociferously and do not travel to or spend money in these countries until they behave with respec.

Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.
I support permanent restrictions on the production, trade, and use of whale-derived materials, including spermaceti (once a core ingredient of cosmetics).
I find myself squarely behind the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS). The international Whaling Commission (IWC) imposed a moratorium on commercial whaling in 1982. Effectively this moratorium reduced the number of whales killed by tens of thousands.
Three whaling nations have continued hunting whales through loopholes in the IWC’s founding treaty and the IWC will discuss a proposal at its 62nd meeting (21-25 June 2010 in Agadir, Morocco) to suspend the moratorium to allow the three whaling nations to conduct legal commercial whaling albeit at lower levels than their current self-allocated quotas.
My main argument against whaling (and killing dolphins) is the consciousness of these animals, their intelligence and their evident emotions when bad things happen – like a member of the pod being isolated, trageted and slaughtered. These are sentient creatures; we are (supposed to be) sentient creatures. What if it was within the power of dolphins and whales to hunt homo sapiens, kill us? Do you think they they would make our brutal "human" choice, or would they have more compassion than we do?

only kill what you can replace, so if a type of whale can be farmed then do so and leave wild whales alone.

As I doubt this is possible I'm of the opinion that a total ban should be introduced with 1 caveat, you can kill one for survival which will of course be a rare occurrence.

If you visited earth 200,000 years ago(a very short length of time in galactic terms) your best chance for a chat would likely be a whale

Ban all whaling completely.

There is no valid scientific reason for hunting whales any more. That is just a politically acceptable reason our politicians can sell to us while handing the 'research' victims to the Japanese, etc. This will sadly continue and the whales will slowly die out. Only when a militarily strong nation (or nations) makes a decision and actively hunts down and sinks whalers will they have a chance to survive. Think the equivalent of the British Navy versus the Slave Ships.

Why are we hunting whales?
Certain island races have ancestry in this field. Their aboriginal rights, which they should be able to continue. These make little impact. One man on a canoe with a spear, using the traditional techniques poses no problem to the whale population.
High tech factory ships slaughtering as they go do!
Scientific research is balderdash! Does Attenborough shoot a few gorillas the odd elephant for the show? Of course not! Live is better to study!

#76 "Only when a militarily strong nation (or nations) makes a decision and actively hunts down and sinks whalers will they have a chance to survive. Think the equivalent of the British Navy versus the Slave Ships."

Did you know that nuclear submarine sonar crews (who hear a lot of whale song on patrol) sometimes play whale distress sounds out of the active sonar when they know whaling ships are on the surface? As soon as they do that there isn't a whale within 100 miles of the ships.

Much as it would be quite satisfying to slam a couple of torpedoes into a whaling ship I'd suggest the sonar approach is more likely to happen and less likely to start a war.

Japan will continue to hunt and kill whales, tuna and anything they want regardless of the worlds feeling about it. Look at their actions during the second world war!!!

Ban!!!!! outright. Scientific research my backside. We no longer need the oil of these beautiful Giants. As far as I am concerned the hunting of these animals for meat should be as taboo as cannibalism, mind you there are more of us than there are whales.

who are we kidding? compromise????? thanks to our 21st centure industrial revolution there is going to be very little nature left in the near future. did anybody say we were superior inteligent beings???????? they could have fooled me

Killing Whales is MURDER.

Ban it. I think anything you gain from whaling can be generated artificially.

When oh when will mankind begin to accept that all the other life on this planet does NOT owe us a living. We place ever greater demands on everything around us from oil to whales, without genuine thought of repercussions. The idea that how many to kill needs to be negotiated is a damning indictment of mankinds' selfishness. It will end in tears.

Ban it - now!

We are supposed to be civilized, yet we are debating wether or not it is right to fire a rocket propelled explosive at a defenceless, gentle mammal.
We have an obligation to protect these creatures for tha sake of future generations. IMO the best thing for this planet would be our demise......

Just ban all aqua-mammal hunting including by so called natives. There is no need to kill intelligent wild mammals.

There is no justification for commercial whaling. If it wasn't for Japanese and Chinese "traditions" there would be considerably less extinction pressure on the endangered large animals: tigers, rhinoceros and larger whales of virtually every species. Commercial and cultural boycotts of both these countries would not only be right for the benefit of endangered species but coincidentally good for our own industry and economy but, as happened for a long period with Canada and seal-clubbing, might genuinely help towards a change of attitudes in the Far East.
However, there is a charge of hypocrisy to be answered - with the media whipping up hysteria over fox "attacks" to help the new government overthrow the ban on barbarity, and the continued destruction of the rain forests for palm oil, bio-fuels and exotic hardwoods that we are all party to, there is a very large house to get in order.

@70 and @76 and various others: I once saw a documentary on the whaling debate and I believe that the Japanese maintain that their "scientific research" is to determine which fish that whales eat, where from and how much. This is to so that they can help develop techniques to help the Japanese fishery - they even often show cut-open whales with their stomachs full of fish, the inference being "look! look how much fish they have eaten!" To this end, they are (I think) believed to potentially be a threat on the Japanese fishery industry so for that reason it is extremely important to the Japanese... Not for the killing of whales in itself. My memory could be wrong though...

There should be no whaling at all. It's cruel and you are having rare species dying out. Ban it altogether.

I am in favour of an outright ban. Quite swayed by the arguments for hunting Japanese, Icelandic and Norwegian whalers

What do we say to are children when they are gone?

#35 wrote #20 "we have always done so because they are (a) tasty and (b) a good part of human diet. I have never eaten whale so I have no idea whether tasty or not, but I am willing to accept that it may, like many fish, actually be a very good constitutent of diet for many reasons."

Unfortunately for that argument Whales ARE NOT FISH. They're mammals. Whales were historically hunted for their oil, not their meat. Because the meat is so oily it tastes absolutely disgusting (it was briefly available in the UK during the 1940's) and is about as good for you as a deep fried mars bar. The Japanese can't sell all the whale meat they catch now and it ends up in pet food or being given away to school canteens.

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We eat mammals too.

Not sure crustaceans are technically "fish" but we eat them as well.

We have to be careful not to become hypocrites in the eyes of the populations that support whaling.

There are several species of whale that are no longer considered endangered. The hunting of these species is essentially no different from hunting deer or pheasant in the UK.

People shouldn't let their emotions get in the way of the more important principle of conservation. There should be a clear message that whaling of endangered species is banned and that whaling of other species is acceptable as long as it is controlled to make it sustainable (e.g. in the case of deer, restrictions on the killing of doe / fawns).

Ban Whale hunting completely

No one should be allowed to kill such a majestic animal and call it livelihood, these fishermen need to find something better to do. In the 21st century there is no need to plunder the sea generation after generation without doing anything to sustain the creatures in the sea.
Outright ban is the best method to help the sea retain its footings and let the sea creatures multiply without human greed for their meat, skin, bones and oil.

Better to compromise and get current practices under law and then work from there. They've already pushed it too far, too fast. The commission is losing control. The ban is being ignored or loopholed and that is seriously damaging the commission's credibility on both sides of the issue.

I spend my life sharing the deeps, and, on the most rare and privileged of occasions, the surface with these truly and literally breathtaking creatures. The fact that any human being, with the obvious exception of indigenous peoples who kill for subsistence, considers it morally acceptable to murder these social, thinking mammals is truly abhorent to me. It is time we recognised the industrial barbarism that we, as a race, have perpetrated on these peaceable giants and stop hunting them commercially altogether. We repay their natural fascination with us by subjecting them to a painful, slow, bloody and tortuous death, often with their young in attendance or when pregnant. It is a stain on our own species and must surely stop.

Anyone else amused about how fast the principles of "multiculturalism and tolerance" fly out the window on this one?

They'll defend cultures that execute gays and systematically oppress women, but when it comes to whales....

I love Iceland and its minky whales just outside the harbour. When I was there the whaling boats were rusting in the harbour and it was my privilege to see the whales on a tourist boat. The people of Iceland have been hurt badly by this recession with many moving abroad to find work, others want to go back to what they know - whaling. Folks may not fly there as tourists whilst the volcano erupts! I feel sorry for the people but hope they can avoid going after the whales.

The use of factory ships is the most disgusting aspect.