Have you ever heard the phrase “save the whales”? It became popular in the early 1970s when people started to realize the importance of protecting these magnificent creatures. But why did we need to save them in the first place? Let’s dive into the history of whaling and the efforts to conserve whales.
In 1946, the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW) was established. Its goal wasn’t to save whales but to ensure the whaling industry could continue sustainably. By 1979, a staggering 39,000 whales were being killed each year. This led to increased awareness and the rise of conservation groups like Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Federation.
In 1986, the International Whaling Commission (IWC), created by the ICRW, introduced a pause on commercial whaling, known as the commercial whaling moratorium. This meant that whaling could only occur with a special permit for scientific purposes. However, countries like Japan continued to hunt whales, claiming it was for research. In 2016, Japan killed 333 whales, including 200 pregnant females.
Japan has a long history with whaling, dating back thousands of years. Modern whaling in Japan began around 1900 when a researcher named Juraoka brought Western whaling techniques back to Japan. By the 1930s, Japan had become a major player in the whaling industry, competing with countries like Norway and the UK.
Despite international regulations, Japan continued its whaling practices, often ignoring efforts to control overfishing. After joining the IWC in 1951, Japan faced increasing pressure to stop commercial whaling. However, they found a loophole in international law that allowed whaling for scientific purposes, which they have used since the 1980s.
Japan argues that lethal research is necessary to learn about whales, but many disagree. Most of the whales hunted by Japan are minke whales, which are not endangered. Other countries like Norway and Iceland also hunt minke whales but do not use the scientific loophole; they simply object to the moratorium.
In 2012, a Japanese official admitted that minke whales are hunted for their flavor, not just for science. This led to criticism from the international community, and in 2014, the International Court of Justice ruled that Japan’s whaling was not scientific. Despite this, Japan continued its whaling activities.
Whales play a crucial role in the ocean ecosystem. Their communication is fascinating, their waste helps the nutrient cycle, and their breath might even help diagnose human diseases. Additionally, whale vomit, known as ambergris, is valuable in the perfume industry.
Conservationists are not only focused on whales but also on other large animals like elephants and rhinoceroses. Protecting these creatures is essential for maintaining biodiversity and the health of our planet.
The debate over whaling continues, with strong arguments on both sides. While some believe in preserving cultural traditions, others emphasize the importance of conservation. What do you think? Should we save the whales, or should whaling continue? Share your thoughts and continue exploring the fascinating world of marine life!
Research the history of whaling and create a timeline that highlights key events, such as the establishment of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling in 1946 and the introduction of the commercial whaling moratorium in 1986. Use images and brief descriptions to make your timeline visually engaging.
Participate in a class debate on whether whaling should continue as a cultural tradition or be stopped for conservation purposes. Prepare arguments for both sides and present your views. This will help you understand the complexities of the whaling debate.
Engage in a role-play activity where you take on the roles of different stakeholders in the whaling industry, such as conservationists, whalers, and government officials. Discuss and negotiate solutions to the whaling controversy, considering each stakeholder’s perspective.
Choose a conservation group like Greenpeace or the World Wildlife Federation and research their efforts to protect whales. Create a presentation or poster that showcases their strategies and successes in whale conservation.
Write a short story or poem from the perspective of a whale living in today’s oceans. Consider the challenges they face due to whaling and human activities. Use your creativity to express the importance of whale conservation through the eyes of these majestic creatures.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
—
Call me Ishmael because I have a whale of a tale for you! Hey, it’s Trace here for DNews. In 1946, the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW) started regulating how many whales could be caught—not to save them, but to keep the whaling industry alive and safe. By 1979, 39,000 whales were being killed every year. The phrase “save the whales” didn’t become popular until the early 1970s, thanks to public awareness and conservation groups like Greenpeace, Sierra Club, and the World Wildlife Federation.
Then, in 1986, the International Whaling Commission, established by the ICRW, decided to implement a pause in commercial whaling for all whale species and populations, now known as the commercial whaling moratorium. Whaling could still occur, but a special permit was required for scientific whaling. Countries like Japan still kill hundreds of whales every year—333 in 2016, including 200 pregnant females.
Our friends at Seeker Stories were curious: do Japanese whalers actually kill whales for science, or are they using science as a justification to support a tradition and black market food source? Japan and whaling have a long and controversial history. Japanese whalers operate today in defiance of international law and face widespread condemnation. They do have a justification for their whaling, but it’s based on a legal technicality, which explains a lot about why the rest of the world is so upset with Japan.
Whaling has been a part of Japanese culture for thousands of years. Modern whaling began around 1900 when a Japanese researcher named Juraoka traveled to Europe to learn about Western whaling practices. He brought that knowledge back to Japan, declaring in 1910 that Japan would become one of the greatest whaling nations in the world. By the 1900s, Japan had revolutionized its whaling industry, competing with countries like Norway, the UK, and Germany.
In 1938, whalers around the world took home more than 45,000 whales from the Antarctic alone. Overfishing became a problem, and in the 1930s, Western powers like the US and UK began to regulate whaling, but Japan largely ignored those efforts. After World War II, Japan joined the International Whaling Commission in 1951, which aimed to regulate whaling.
Since the 1950s, global support for commercial whaling has diminished significantly. In 1986, the International Whaling Commission imposed an indefinite moratorium on all whaling. Japan fought many of the new regulations and allegedly bribed other countries to vote with them on whaling issues. Despite this, international pressure worked, and commercial whaling became largely a thing of the past—except for one technicality.
There’s a small piece of international law that allows governments to permit whaling for scientific purposes, and Japan has used this law to justify most of its whaling since the 1980s. They argue that only lethal research can teach us certain things about whales. However, many people disagree with this justification. Most of what Japan hunts are minke whales, which are not endangered. Other countries, like Norway and Iceland, also hunt minke whales but do not use the research loophole; they simply objected to the moratorium and have continued hunting.
In recent years, Japan has usually killed well under 1,000 whales per year. The issue is not mass whale slaughter but rather Japan’s perceived dishonesty about its intentions. Officials claim that science is the reason for the hunts, but in 2012, a Japanese official stated that minke whales are hunted because they are said to have a very good flavor and aroma when eaten as sashimi.
This situation escalated when the International Court of Justice ruled that Japan’s whaling could not reasonably be considered scientific and ordered Japan to cease its operations. Japan ignored that ruling and planned to kill 333 minke whales again for “science,” which upset the international community. Recently, the US and other nations criticized Japan, stating that all necessary information for whale management and conservation can be obtained through non-lethal methods. In other words, scientific whaling is a contradiction in terms.
There are many things we can learn from whales. Their communication is incredible, their waste contributes to the nutrient cycle of Earth’s oceans, and their breath could help diagnose human diseases. Additionally, whale vomit, known as ambergris, is valuable in the perfume and cosmetics industry.
Conservationists are also working to protect other giant animals, like elephants, to help save the nearly extinct rhinoceros. So, should we save the whales, or should we allow whaling to continue? Let us know in the comments, and make sure to subscribe for more DNews and Seeker Stories!
—
This version removes informal language, maintains clarity, and presents the information in a more structured manner.
Whales – Large marine mammals that are part of the cetacean family, known for their intelligence and complex social behaviors. – Whales play a crucial role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems by regulating the food chain and helping to recycle nutrients.
Conservation – The protection and preservation of natural resources and environments to prevent exploitation, destruction, or neglect. – Conservation efforts are essential to protect endangered species and ensure the sustainability of our planet’s ecosystems.
Whaling – The practice or industry of hunting and killing whales for their usable products such as meat, oil, and blubber. – Whaling has significantly reduced whale populations, leading to international efforts to regulate and limit the practice.
Japan – A country in East Asia known for its technological advancements and involvement in whaling, despite international opposition. – Japan has faced criticism for its whaling activities, which are often justified as scientific research.
Ecosystem – A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment. – The coral reef ecosystem supports a diverse range of marine life and is vital for the health of the ocean.
Biodiversity – The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem. – High biodiversity in an ecosystem increases resilience to environmental changes and disturbances.
Research – The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions. – Scientific research on climate change is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate its impacts on the environment.
Regulations – Rules or directives made and maintained by an authority to manage behavior, especially in industries like fishing and environmental protection. – Environmental regulations are necessary to control pollution and protect natural habitats from industrial damage.
Minke – A species of small baleen whale that is commonly found in oceans worldwide and often targeted by whalers. – Minke whales are frequently studied to understand the impact of whaling on marine populations.
Overfishing – The practice of catching too many fish at once, leading to the depletion of fish stocks and disruption of marine ecosystems. – Overfishing has led to a decline in fish populations, threatening food security and marine biodiversity.
