Whales are between the most brilliant marine mammals on earth. The blue whale is the largest animal to ever exist. Regardless of this history, industrial whaling has left the whale varieties very endangered. Thankfully, whaling has been ended in lots of countries, but still exists in some. The impact of this continued whaling endangers the existence of the animals, and if not stopped, could wipe out whales.
The negative influence humans have actually had on whales stems from the commercial hunting for meat and perfume active ingredients. More than 2 million whales were killed in the early 20th century. By the middle of the 20th century, whales were seriously endangered and amounts were depleted. In 1986 the International Whaling Commission (IWC) banned commercial whaling, but Japan continues to ignore this ban. When the ban was in place, Japan continued to hunt whales using a loophole that offers for medical research. The meat from these hunts is sold in shops and restaurants. Though Japan is skirting the guidelines, and it is frowned upon by the IWC, the IWC still allows it.
Ocean Shepherd is an organization that expresses Japan is in violation of the IWC rules on all commercial whaling. They point out that the Japanese public does not support commercial whale hunting, but all the major political parties do. Whale meat supposedly caught for “research functions” ends up in the renowned Tsukiji fish market, Ocean Shepherd points out. They investigate this embezzlement of whale meat on a routine basis and try to protect against whaling in the high oceans as it is occurring.
The illegal whale hunts have not stopped. More needs to be done to eradicate whaling before the animals is entirely diminished. Ocean Shepherd is committed to this fight. Visit Sea Shepherd to learn more.
Tags: blue whale, commercial whale, commercial whaling, international whaling commission, marine mammals, research functions, tsukiji fish market, whale hunting, whale meat, whales
They’re adorable, cuddly and utterly vulnerable.
They’re adorable, cuddly and utterly vulnerable.