Can ‘Tradition’ Justify Whale Hunting?

    • Dheeraj.Jangra@timesgroup.com
    • Publish Date: Nov 1 2016 7:03PM
    • |
    • Updated Date: Nov 1 2016 7:42PM
Can ‘Tradition’ Justify Whale Hunting?

Despite the ban on commercial whaling, some countries refuse to end their whaling operations. They argue that killing these marine mammals is central to their "tradition" and is vital for "scientific research" 

The recently concluded meeting of the International Whaling Commission in Portoroz, Slovenia (IWC) failed to end the standoff between whaling nations Japan, Norway and Iceland on the one hand and mainly Western and South American countries on the other. The commission, which turns 70 this year, "has been in a stalemate due to the fundamentally conflicting views on whales and whaling," reads a Japanese request for a working group to find ways of addressing the body's "dysfunction."

The International Whaling Commission was established under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, signed on 2 December 1946. At this time, there were 14 member states. Today, the Commission comprises 89 countries with only three of those engaging in commercial whaling - Japan, Norway and Iceland. 

Whaling in the name of scientific research 

The story starts in 1986, when most members of the International Whaling Commission agreed to a moratorium on commercial whaling around the world (save for Norway and Iceland). But IWC allowed the hunting of whales for "scientific research." Japan has long claimed that their annual whaling is all in the name of "research," but conservationists say that whaling is used less for science and more for sushi.  "The whaling commission is long overdue to adopt reforms that will protect whales from so-called scientific hunts, which are in reality, a cover for the harvesting of whale meat," Aimee Leslie, head of the World Wildlife Fund's (WWF) said to AFP. Activists say that the study of whales can easily be done through non-lethal means- by collecting tissue sample or feces. 

Many also say that IWC is a "toothless body" as it has no ability to enforce any of its decisions through penalty imposition.

Most commonly hunted whales 

Minke whales, mainly from the Antarctic Ocean but also the northeast Atlantic, are the most targeted species for commercial, scientific and aboriginal hunts  - more than 41,000 have been recorded killed in three decades. Minke whales grow up to about 10 metres (32 feet) in length, and weigh up to 10 tonnes. Others whales that are hunted are Sei whales, Bryde's whales, Fin whales and Sperm whales. 

Japan: Whale hunting is part of our tradition and culture
Hand harpoons dating as far back as 10,000 B.C. indicate a long history of whaling in Japan.  However, it wasn't until 1934 that Japan expanded its whaling to Antarctica. From the late 1940s to the mid-1960s whale meat was the single biggest source of meat in Japan. At its peak in 1964 Japan killed more than 24,000 whales in one year, most of them enormous fin whales and sperm whales. According to its defenders, eating whale meat is an old and impenetrable Japanese tradition. "No one has the right to criticise the food culture of another people." But today, the market for whale meat in Japan has slumped considerably. According to a research, the average consumption of whale meat by Japanese people in 2015 was just 30g per person. So, it's no way an integral part of their diet.  
 
Others threats faced by whales
What's more, hunting is arguably no longer the biggest threat facing whales. Ocean noise from sonar and shipping vessels can confuse whales and leave them stranded on beaches. Climate change and ocean acidification is also threats their survival.  (With inputs from Agencies)
 

Do you believe that Japan along with Norway and Sweden should give up on commercial whaling? Let's know your views in the comments below. 

 
 

More From TOP NEWS...

Comments

Samueal Raj Bethel Mat Hr Sec School

Whale hunting should be avoided It is wonderful creation in sea mammal, we should not hurt the whales.

Himanshi Dhawan Saffron Public School

Yes, it''s high time now. From the past so many years, these countries have been exploiting whales. How can they forget that we have borrowed the resources and vegetation from the next generation and so it''s our duty to protect and conserve them.

Ritvik Baweja Bal Bharati Public School

Commercial whaling despite being traditional practice is an illegal means of hunting. Just for the sake of mainting rituals and traditions you cannot harm the innocent whales. Japan and Norwegian countries should give up commercial whaling so that our marine ecosystem remains helathy

Vishnu Varthan J Bethel Mat Hr Sec School

Whaling should be avoided because hunting whale may cause an effect in the eco-system.

Vishnu Varthan J Bethel Mat Hr Sec School

Yes those countries should give up whaling even though it is traditional, this traditional will not accepted by other countries and they may face consequences if they continue whaling.

Sarath Kumar RM Bethel Mat Hr Sec School

Whale hunting should be strictly prohibited because it can greatly damage the aquatic ecosystem. I don''t believe the commercial whaling of Japan and Norway.

soundarya s Bethel Mat Hr Sec School

Traditions and superstitions should not be a threat our mother nature.

Riya Pandey Childrens academy

Possibly yes. If possible than it should stop killing the voiceless whales. It is not to violate someones religion or tradition. It is just for the goodness of humanity.

E. Deepak Sen Bethel Mat Hr Sec School

Whales are the only giant sea mammals . What Japan and Norway does is unlawful to nature. Some countries may practiced whaling as tradition in past but according to current status of whale population , commercial whaling must be controlled

Aditi Sahi D C MODEL SCH PKL-SEC-7

Yes, they really should.Every creation of god has the right to live and niether reasons nor traditions justify wale hunting.

Vandana Subash City International School Wanowrie

Animals have a right to live as much as we have..it has not committed any crime that it has to hunted and killed at such a large scale..Tradition surely cannot tell us to keep killing poor animals and spoil our nature''s beauty..

Darshil Shah ST. XAVIERS - LOYOLLA -2 LOYOLLA 2

Whale is a very rare mammal and so it should be preserved.

Nishi Upadhyay BHARTI PUBLIC SCHOOL (SWASTHYA VHR)

Nothing in this world can justify this inhuman act.

Harsh Dhiraj RAMJAS PUBLIC SCHOOL(PUSA ROAD)

It is tradition but that does not mean it is important that we have to kill whales. We are seeing that all forms of life are being hurt by human activities then why is it important to add to the damage . They(Japan,Norway,Iceland) should not be so arrogant and stop hunting of whales.

POST YOUR OWN ARTICLE, PHOTO & VIDEO

SIMPLY FILL DETAILS & POST


 
SIGN UP & EXPLORE MORE...
*


*
* *
* *
img
REGISTRATION SUCCESSFUL...
THANK YOU FOR REGISTERING
  • About Us

Times Newspaper in Education (Times NIE) is a novel program that helps students ‘Stay Ahead’ and aims at making ‘Learning Fun’. It introduces concepts that help individual growth and development beyond school curriculum.

A brainchild of The Times of India, the world’s leading English newspapers, Times NIE nurtures progress and innovation. Adapted from the international concept, Times Newspaper in Education program (Times NIE) was initiated in India in 1985.

Today we have over 3000 schools and over 9 lac students subscribing to the programme, spanning 16 cities viz. Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Lucknow, Coimbatore, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Jaipur.

The Times of India Student edition, a customized student newspaper exclusively for the students, packs a powerful punch in terms of content that leads to a smarter and superior learning experience. The information is crafted such that it finds use in classroom discussions, thus making it relevant and current. It truly gives education a new dimension by fostering the simple habit of reading which in turn paves the way for a confident, informed and aware individual. A newspaper that inspires young minds and equips them to face challenges of today’s world, making way for global citizens.

Empowering students with new cutting-edge knowledge through various educative and informative activities is a commitment and tradition of Times NIE. The programme serves as a catalyst of education and interaction, as well as a window into the minds of the quintessential Indian youth. On a significant scale Times NIE comprises diverse interesting activities and events that boost the child’s passion for learning, while revealing hidden talent.

While you are aware that The Times of India is among the leading English Newspapers across the world, it has consummated its position as an everlasting winner. With several international awards and recognitions to its credit, The Times of India and Times NIE have validated an enduring tradition of setting the highest benchmarks in every respect. We have been awarded with the two most prestigious awards, Times NIE - World’s No.1 NIE program and The Times of India, Student Edition - World’s No.1 Newspaper for the youth in 2006 by the celebrated World Association of Newspapers (WAN). In 2008 we were honoured by the International Newspaper Marketing Association (INMA), yet another international recognition for ‘Youth Audience Development’. In 2013 we were again honoured by the celebrated World Association of Newspapers (WAN) as the ‘Times NIE - World’s Best Youth Engagement Program’.

Times NIE has grown remarkably over the last three and a half decades, touching millions of children across more than 16 Indian cities. Our absolute commitment towards the fledgling generation remains undiluted and our greatest strength lies in the school partnership and commitment.

  • Times NIE World Awards
EDIT STUDENT PROFILE...



img

JOIN NOW !!!

Create or join groups, share your views, ideas through posts (Text, Pictures & Videos)

GOT A QUERY?

FEEL FREE TO ASK HERE. GET IT ANSWERED BY EXPERTS

CLICK HERE TO SEE YOUR PREVIOUS QUERIES

win

Why You Think India Is Great....