Examining the Claims of Modern Whalers: Are There Arguments for Whaling?

Written by:  • Edited by: Niki Fears
Updated May 21, 2009

In this article we will examine arguments some make for whaling. Do these claims hold any merit?

In the first part of this article, we looked at a couple of the reasons that whalers give to try and keep their barbaric practices alive and so far none of them have held up. Now we will look at the remaining two arguments for whaling.

In Pursuit of Knowledge or Just Old Fashioned Greed?

A third claim made to defend whaling and its illegal practice is that these fleets are not hunting whales but are merely research vessels obtaining

Whalemeat
click to enlarge
“test subjects” as if that sounds any less brutal. But again, does this argument hold water? The government of Panama did not think so when the so called “research” fleet from Japan had its main supply ship deflagged due to its blatant violation of international laws and treaties that prevent the storing and transportation of illegally caught whale meat. In October of 2008, the Japanese vessel named the Oriental Bluebird, was deflagged by the Panamanian Registry and barred from any marine “exploration” activities for at least three years; any attempts to do so, even under a new flag is illegal and in violation of several treaties. And any survey of the commercial markets where whale meat and other products are sold make it clear that whalers are indeed hunters and not scientists.

Culture or Capitalism?

Lastly, some argue that whaling is done, and should be allowed, by cultures that have held whaling as part of their traditions and use the meat merely for local substance. This is the case that has been use to justify Canadian whaling for example; however, these “cultural groups” sell the meat on the commercial market which again makes it clear that the whales are not important in any cultural since and that they are seeking money, not survival.

All of the scientific evidence available, and the plain simple reality of the situation shows us that not only is whaling and cruel and violent practice but it is both unnecessary and unjustifiable. When you look at all of the arguments made by whalers one thing is clear, they are driven by power, by money, and will pursue both in the ruthless and bloodiest ways possible until every whale is eliminated from the earth.


Comments

Showing all 20 comments
 
sparkle May 11, 2011 12:51 AM
whaling
Why should we do it?? yes i understand that the whales 'flubber' is used for clothing and other products but cant we find another way??
maddy Apr 7, 2011 2:24 AM
whaling
these thingys arne't really helpful to me , they need to put more reasons and expan on it a little bit more
Frankinstien Feb 28, 2011 4:01 PM
The Japanese whaling
On Greenpeace they did a survey and half of them don't even no what's going on and how many whales they're killing!!!!
Frankinstien Feb 28, 2011 3:59 PM
Whaling
Wait on a minute guys....who are we to tell the japanese what they can and can't eat??? How would you like it if someone from Japan came over to Australia or wherever you guys are and said.... "STOP EATING BACON, IT IS CRUEL!" Us eating meat of any kind is practically the same as them eating whale!!! We have no right to tell them what to eat. That should be up to their government wheather they would like to stop it or not. It's not up to us! WE don't rule over them!! Yea... sure the pictures look bad but just imagine the whale is a cow or a pig or a chicken! I don't think we have that right to tell them what they can and can't do.
Frankinstien Feb 28, 2011 3:23 PM
Whaling
Whaling should stop, so you all say... but why? Can you only come up with innocent animals? Yes it's wrong but I want to hear why from YOU not from the text!
Frankinstien Feb 25, 2011 6:48 PM
Austin Graham
If we shot the Japanese that would exactly be the same as US shooting innocent creatures, so Austin I don't think we should follow THEIR act of violence.
Frankinstien Feb 25, 2011 6:46 PM
whaling
Firstly I have two comments.
Number one (against whaling) why kill whales?? We have pigs and cows and we kill them? Isn't that enough for them or do they absoloutly NEED to kill the poor whales!!

(For whaling) We kill pigs, sheep and cows. To the japanese that is exactly the same!
They think what they are doing isn't wrong because all over the world people are doing the exact same thing to other innocent animals.
Amelia Feb 25, 2011 12:01 AM
Whaling is bad
Why kill whales?, their not doing anything to us, the people that are catching them and killing them are greedy and selfish, whales are majestic and beautiful animals and I don't get why people do it
I THINK IT SHOULD STOP!!!!!
Yeo weh ritz Feb 22, 2011 4:43 AM
Attention!!! Stop whaling, its wrong
Why kill whales, why not kill me, u wan blubber, kill pigs, u wan meat, buy chicken meat, u wan skin for clothing, buy pig skin.
KitKat101 Feb 11, 2011 4:34 PM
Whaling
Whaling is just wrong in all ways i can understand culture and that stuff but the other whaling vessels should just stop im only in 8th grade but im smart enough to know this is wrong!!!
paige Nov 11, 2010 9:50 PM
hi
why kill whales kill me
monique Sep 7, 2010 5:06 AM
WHAILING IS WRONG
whailing is wrong god put whales on this earth to live, not to be put through the pain of having a harpoon hit into you ! try to imagine what we, as humans would feel if we were being hunted like that. Whalers do it for the money, and for them they feel nothing for the pore creatures.WHAILING IS WRONG !!!!!
Shazza Aug 28, 2010 10:31 PM
WHALING
I LOVE IT IT WAS GREAT FOR MY ASSIGNMENT I GOT AN A++ I COPIED NOTHIN" OF URS ANYWAY
Tricia Aug 22, 2010 9:43 PM
Whaling
WHALING:(
Whaling Whaling Jul 16, 2010 7:28 AM
Whaling
Whaling :(
mynanisahore Jul 14, 2010 9:13 AM
whaling
whaling should stop because it is pointles
l.osborne Jun 25, 2010 8:39 AM
whaling
this is not very good they need to find more information on whaling
Austin Graham Jun 3, 2010 9:55 PM
Whaling should stop
i Think Whaling needs to stop and we should shoot the japanese witha harpoon that has a grenade on
Whale hunter Nov 7, 2009 6:10 PM
More realistic view on whaling
Perhaps a more balanced and realistic view on the whale issue would be useful? If you want to know more about the facts around whaling and whale myths, visit <a href="http://www.killthewhale.com>killthewhale.com</a> and state your own opinion too.
blobster Aug 17, 2009 12:30 AM
whaling
whaling = :(
 
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