There is no nice way for a whale to die.

An animal that size is just not easy to catch, haul onto a ship or kill. So say animal rights activists, and many of us would agree.

And yet, in 2014, Icelandic whalers caught 24 Minke and 137 Fin whales. A scheduled export of 1,700 tons of Fin whale meat will soon reach Japanese shores to end up on diners tables.

This, despite whale conservation agreements.

Iceland and Norway are the only two nations that openly defy the International Whaling Commission’s 1986 ban on whale hunting.

Japan uses scientific research as a loophole for harvesting whales although they admit that most of the meat ends up on Japanese dining tables.

After viewing too many horrific photographs of whale harvesting, I asked myself these questions;

Am I horrified by this because whales are not part of my culturally accepted eating fare?

Do I not understand the history or culturally significant reasons for whale hunting?

Am I a sheltered elitist who examines the world from my North American privileged viewpoint and am ignorant of the needs of others?

Are whales, like horses and dolphins (also from the whale family) so ingrained in our psyche as kindred spirits that we cannot envision their slaughter?

Having given this considerable thought, I have come to realize that yes, for me, whales are not in my realm of possible meal choices, I value their sentient nature, I have a broad view of world issues and don’t consider myself without knowledge of cultural traditions.

For instance, I would not consider asking someone who lives off the land in the far north to forego their traditional hunting practices and purchase expensive and imported beef from another country or ask them to be a vegan in a climate that could hardly sustain the habit.

But at this point in time, I’d wager that no-one in Iceland nor Japan truly needs to eat whale meat specifically. I am open to being corrected, if I am missing something of significance here.

In fact, polls indicate that few Icelanders eat whale meat anymore and the rate has dropped significantly in Japan as well. I’m sensing that the economic benefits of a few pockets are at the root of why whales are still being hunted, and that sensitivity towards whales is not a consideration.

Neither the Icelandic nor the Japanese economy depend on the practice of whale hunting, and delivery of the meat to Japan is expected to be made difficult by environmental and animal rights activists.

Many Japanese are horrified by their country’s continued whaling activities; the vignette below depicts it quite graphically.

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On January 3, 2007 Animal Liberation Victoria organized a lunchtime protest against Japanese whaling outside the building housing the Japanese Consulate – 360 Elizabeth street, Melbourne. About 250 people attended, “the biggest turn up we’ve ever had” said an Animal Liberation spokesperson. Jamie Yew, all dyed in red on a Japanese flag with the sun dripping “blood” made a photogenic piece of street theatre for media photographers. A gong was struck 985 times in about 40 minutes to symbolize the 985 whales being slaughtered by Japan this season. Whales can sometimes take up to 40 minutes to die in a very cruel and inhumane way from the explosive harpoons. People were invited to sign the Japanese flag as a symbol of their protest. ~ Wiki.org

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The Icelandic whaling company Hvalur HF plans to ship 1,700 tonnes of whale meat via Luanda in Angola, repeating a similar controversial delivery of 2,000 tonnes last year which sparked protests along its route.

Kristjan Loftsson, chief executive of Hvalur HF, said the pending shipment was “not illegal” and  said that, “Iceland made a reservation on the ban so it is not bound by it.”  ~ The Guardian

A few years ago I watched a documentary of the capturing of dolphins in Japan, a then yearly occurrence that has garnered world-wide opposition. I vowed after that to never feed my urge to swim with captured dolphins no matter how amazing it would be to connect with such a spiritual creature.

While in Kauai a few years back, I sat at the bow of a boat, tears streaming down my face, as bottlenose dolphins raced alongside, free, delighted to be in our company, never having faced the hardships of their captured relatives.

I recalled the documentary and whispered my apologies to the dolphins as they frolicked in the waves.

I dream of the end of the whale hunt.

 

The Cove, full movie. This is a must-see for all who care about our oceans. 

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Relephant Read:

The Dolphins are Dead, Again. [Photo]

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Author: Monika Carless

Editor: Renee Jahnke

Image: AFP