Possible consensus on the whaling issue
June 25th, 2008 Posted in Japan, NewsI don’t like to comment on much of the political news that occurs with regard to Japan, mainly because I have vested interests and it may come across as somewhat biased — which is, of course, perfectly fine, as all opinion is inherently biased. I also don’t like to comment on some issues where there are a lot of people that have a strong opinion on something for very little reason. In this case, I’m referring to the whaling issue.
Many Westerners feel it is deplorable to hunt whales — barbaric and uncivilised, and so, they are wholeheartedly against it. The truth of the matter, however, is that pro-whaling countries, such as Norway and Japan, have been hunting whales for thousands of years — it is perfectly acceptable to their societies; just as acceptable, in fact, as farming and slaughtering cattle is in Western society. Sure, whales can not be farmed, but the point is that the kind of whale that is supposed to be targeted — the Minke whale — has been demonstrated to be a ’sustainable resource,’ for want of a better term (that was my choice of terminology). With clear numbers to catch, commercial whaling could legally be undertaken without any major effect on Minke numbers.
Of course, the problem is in how they are hunted, and what is actually being hunted. I will not ignore the truth of the matter, it’s pretty clear that not only Minkes are being killed, and not only whales. Personally, I think it should be legalised, and then policed. Much like what has happened in slaughterhouses — cows and other such animals are supposed to be slaughtered as humanely as possible. But you’re fooling yourself if you really think they are (but that’s just my opinion). If we turn a blind eye on that because we like our steaks, isn’t it hypocritical to be so critical about whaling? I don’t have any links to these claims, you can believe what you want, but the point is, whaling is not intrinsically bad, but that’s not to say it doesn’t require some kind of policing.
So, recent news that the IWC (International Whaling Commission- see this article at the Age) seems to be making some headway in regards to the requirements of pro- and anti- whaling nations is a good thing. It means that pro-whaling countries can do what they need to, and anti-whaling countries can provide guidelines and policing. It’s a good thing, if it works as planned. No comment in regards to environmental activists. Jerks. I suppose they are a necessary evil. Still, jerks.
As a final note, I don’t personally care about commercial whaling — it doesn’t affect me. Whale tastes pretty bad and I don’t care to eat it. I just don’t think there has been a good enough reason to make these countries stop doing something they have been doing for thousands of years. It’s better to come to a compromise. Otherwise, none of us should be eating any meat. At all. And that sucks. Meat is good. That is all.
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