Against commercial Whaling

Wales – elders of the sea

Whales have inhabited our seas for more than 40 million years. And for 7,000 years, they have been hunted by man. Whether lamp oil, shoe polish and candles from whale oil, simply ammunition or cosmetics and perfume from their intestines: Many of the 80 whale species were hunted intensively in the past, putting their populations at risk as early as the 1930s. In the years of 1930 and 1931 more blue whales were killed than are remaining today in all oceans combined, an approximate 30,000. Today, whaling is only be practiced by a small number of countries and is highly controversial on an international level. Not least because of the catching methods: The marine mammals are killed with explosive projectiles that detonate in the body, tearing up the animal from within. Every second whale survives the initial explosion suffering a slow and painful death. A torture for these giants with a highly developed nervous system.

Endangered marine mammals

ban on whaling and how to elude it

In 1986 an international moratorium was signed, which prohibits the commercial hunting of whales. Despite several efforts to lift the moratorium it is still in place until the present day. However, a moratorium means only "voluntary agreement". This explains that in practice, the ban on whaling is undermined by certain countries namely Japan, Iceland, Norway and the Faroe Islands using various methods.

The role of the International Whaling Commission IWC

The commission was founded in Washington in 1946 to regulate commercial whaling worldwide. Meanwhile, it comprises 88 countries, whose representatives meet once a year. In the 80s the IWC was changed from a whaling commission to a whale protection commission. However, many believe that the efforts undertaken to protect the marine mammals are not sufficient.

Whaling nations like Iceland, Norway or Japan repeatedly try to nullify the ban on commercial whaling. So far without success. But whilst hunting on whales has been prohibited since 1986, some nations ignore the ban, always looking for ways around. Japan for example, wants to obtain a permit for whaling in coastal regions, justifying it with the weak economy of the former whaling communities. The whaling nations call for the introduction of a new category: traditional whaling, which they say would no longer be commercial. Hence, year after year, whalers and conservationists face each other. So far, the commercial whaling ban is still in place, a success for the conservationists. But it is uncertain how long it will last.