Should commercial whaling be banned?

[Psychonaut]

I don't understand why whales should enjoy special protection. Pilot whales aren't endangered. If you demand a ban on whaling, then logically you should call for a ban on all hunting and fishing.

That cetaceans in general are the most intelligent order next to primates is reason enough for me to support a ban.

[Eldritch]

That cetaceans in general are the most intelligent order next to primates is reason enough for me to support a ban.

Hmmm, point taken. I wonder how much variation in intelligence one should expect there to be between different genii/families/species?

[SwordoftheVistula]

certainly no longer essential to the well-being of any nation (barring "first nation" peoples' traditions). This is especially true for nations as economically advanced as Japan and Norway.

What disqualifies Japanese and Norwegians from "first nation peoples' traditions?

[Bloodeagle]

What disqualifies Japanese and Norwegians from "first nation peoples' traditions?

I suppose that they are not simple enough in their ways to qualify as primitive.

[SwordoftheVistula]

I suppose that they are not simple enough in their ways to qualify as primitive.

Is there a maximum national average IQ, which if you score above you may not hunt whales?

[Bloodeagle]

Is there a maximum national average IQ, which if you score above you may not hunt whales?

No, but the ruling governments have treated these "natives" like they were handicapped by giving them the best parking spots at the hunting and fishing departments
This must be done in the name of ethnic preservation!

As far as the Japanese and the Norwegians go. They are way to civilized and humane to partake in such barbarism! Shame on them.


Not to mention that whale tastes very bad, I have partaken!

[Pallantides]

No, but the ruling governments have treated these "natives" like they were handicapped by giving them the best parking spots at the hunting and fishing departments
This must be done in the name of ethnic preservation!

As far as the Japanese and the Norwegians go. They are way to civilized and humane to partake in such barbarism! Shame on them.


Not to mention that whale tastes very bad, I have partaken!

Whale hunting is a tradition and very important for Norwegians especially in the northern parts of the country and whale meat is very good.

[Bloodeagle]

Whale hunting is a tradition and very important for Norwegians especially in the northern parts of the country and whale meat is very good.

It's also an opportunity for Norwegians to make some money!

In 2009 Japan accepted imports of whale meat from Norway and Iceland for the first time in over a decade. The Norwegian shipment arrived in mid 2008 but was held by Japanese customs until January, 2009 when the Japan Fisheries Agency finally approved the import.

[Arrow Cross]

Whale hunting is a tradition and very important for Norwegians especially in the northern parts of the country and whale meat is very good.

Meanwhile, many whale species are damn well nearing extinction. With modern means and technology, it's more of a massacre than tradition.

[Eldritch]

Meanwhile, many whale species are damn well nearing extinction. With modern means and technology, it's more of a massacre than tradition.

Notice that that graph does not show the population of minke whales, only the numbers caught by Norwegian whalers. And minke whales are hunted all over the world, from Greenland to South Africa to Japan to Brazil.