Monday, November 19, 2007

Japan Whaling & the Human-Dolphin Connection


Japan has begun another season of whale hunting, despite the fact that most Japanese would rather eat a hamburger than whale meat.

A Political Brawl for Meat They Don't Even Want To Eat

So here we are, trying to Save The Whale, Again, and the Japanese fishing industry is wondering what the fuss is all about.

The Whales had been protected for over 40 years because their numbers had dwindled to the point of being an endangered species. Even the whalers, by that point, agreed to back off and leave 'em in peace.

Not so now. They feel that the numbers have come up significantly enough that it's perfectly okay for them to be back out there, harpooning and torturing these creatures to death. For what? Public and peer pressure has been enough over the years to change most peoples' minds about the hunting for these creatures.

Japan's official statement on the reason for the killings are for "scientific research." Yet the meat of the whales they kill are put out on the open market for sale.

Excerpt from the article:

"This year, for the first time, it has awarded itself a "quota" of up to 50 humpbacks to be killed in the summer hunt in the Antarctic and Southern Oceans, which is starting now, to accompany the killing of as many as 935 minke whales and up to 50 fin whales, in what Japan's Fisheries Agency says is its largest-ever "scientific" whale hunt.

It is a growing industry, despite enduring global protests. This season's target of up to 1,035 whales is more than double the number the country hunted a decade ago, and Japan continues to work actively within the International Whaling Commission to undermine the moratorium."

Greenpeace is following this situation and you can read more about it here -> Whalers Depart Japan

In other news, did you hear the story about a pod of dolphins who saved a surfer from a great white shark?

Just how smart are dolphins anyway? Check out this oldie, but a goodie of a blog article.


I've long had a fascination with the human-dolphin connection. If you have too, you may find the following article to be as fascinating and thought provoking as I have:

Dolphin - Human Connection

Mahalo,

Dolphin

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