Whale Wars

[drdiver1952]

So what? We never signed the no-whaling agreement and were not bound by it. Like it or not.

Actually, they objected to the "no whaling" ban as not being in their national interest. They were no longer bound by the IWC ban then. That's the teeth the IWC has as far as whale conservation. Norway takes about as many whales a year as Japan.

 

[drdiver1952]

Dismissed from the IWC
In 1986 Sea Shepherd lost its status as observer at the IWC. The organisation claims that it is merely enforcing IWC rules. In February 1994, IWC Secretary, Ray Gambell, declared to NTB (the Norwegian Telegram Agency) that the IWC and all its member states ardently condemn Sea Shepherd’s acts of terrorism.

Labor unions were once called terrorists too.

 

[DennisS]

Labor unions were once called terrorists too.

Cross the Longshoreman's Union and you'll understand why.

 

[Tigerman]

Actually, they objected to the "no whaling" ban as not being in their national interest. They were no longer bound by the IWC ban then. That's the teeth the IWC has as far as whale conservation. Norway takes about as many whales a year as Japan.

Norway take about 1000 whales a year, not sure how much the japanese take. The population is estimated at around 185k (IWC 2004) and if I recall correctly the minke is the only whale that reproduce in less than 1 year. Might be why its of the ones that got least problems from the former reckless whaling.

 

[drdiver1952]

Norway take about 1000 whales a year, not sure how much the japanese take. The population is estimated at around 185k (IWC 2004) and if I recall correctly the minke is the only whale that reproduce in less than 1 year. Might be why its of the ones that got least problems from the former reckless whaling.

They are sexually mature at 6 to 8 years. They were never so heavily whaled because they are so small (they are the smallest of the baleen whales) and didn't yield as much meat and blubber as the larger fin, sei and blue whales. By the time the whale fishery collapsed, the harvest of the Minke was just beginning.

 

[jgros79]

I've been lucky enough to dive around the world, and have noticed the fish, whales, coral, pretty much everything in the ocean is depleting rapidly. The efficiency of the fishing boats allows them to take in huge numbers of fish as well as everything else. The ocean needs more Sea Shepards or the ocean will likely be a desert in 15 years, depressing I know but true.
Lots of people try and help by forming a NGO or making an area a national marine park (no fishing, no anchors...) but once that happens no one enforces or actually protects the area.
Most, not all the people on the Sea Shepard are inexperienced volunteers but at least there out there trying to help save the whales.

 

[diverdoug1]

When I was in Japan years ago, it was served to a friend, and it looked like any other fish to me. But I did not taste it. I guess it depends on how it is cooked.

I am supprised that it looked like fish. I though that it would look like red meat , since it is a mammal.

 

[luckydays]

I am supprised that it looked like fish. I though that it would look like red meat , since it is a mammal.

It looked something like this. Could have been whale blubber and the skin which I understand to be a delicacy. Parts of the world only eat the red meat but there are other places that will eat almost anything. At least in Japan, you can get almost anything to be considered meat.

 

[Tigerman]

They are sexually mature at 6 to 8 years. They were never so heavily whaled because they are so small (they are the smallest of the baleen whales) and didn't yield as much meat and blubber as the larger fin, sei and blue whales. By the time the whale fishery collapsed, the harvest of the Minke was just beginning.

Theyre sexually mature at 6 to 8 years, but their pregnancy is 10 months. Which means they can reproduce more than once each year on average..

 

[drdiver1952]

Theyre sexually mature at 6 to 8 years, but their pregnancy is 10 months. Which means they can reproduce more than once each year on average..

They calve every two to three years. The young are typically nursed about five to six months. They live about 50 years if they don't get blown up by an explosive harpoon or dispatched by high powered rifles. As part of the program for a humane death, Norway requires the shooters to train to meet accuracy standards in their shooting.