To eat or not to eat, is the question. Japan has been whaling for thousands of years since the first people began to live on the island. It has and is a major source of food and protein in their diet much like lamb and beef is a part of western food and diet. So why has Japan been singled out and been condemned on the international stage for a practice that is embedded in their history and culture, and what is widely accepted and a proven source of food in their daily life as part of their diet. Because some nations disagree with the killing and eating of whales, they think every other nation should follow suit and fall in line with their beliefs. Three words come to mind, racism, discrimination and hypocrisy because they feel this is wrong but happily harvest, mistreat and abuse with drugs for hormone growth and then slaughter for not only food but also exporting for monetary gain. NZ is pro whaling and getting rich off the industry, the fact is we own part of the Japanese ships that are used for whaling and therefore consent to whaling in the pacific. Or are we carrying out scientific research (LOL).
The fact is Japan has undergone years of intense research and study of whales to prove that whale stocks can be harvested and kept at sustainable levels, this is also indorsed by One of Australia’s leading scientist and director of South Australian Museum, and he says the Japanese are right for whaling. The drop in numbers is actually caused by global warming, pollution, ozone depletion to name a few, in which we all contribute too. So it’s very hypocritical and racial for us to single out the Japanese as a group of unique people and judge them for acts that we whether it be direct or indirect take part in.
The fact is they may be the leading nation in Whaling but they are also the leading nation and I would say the only nation who has conducted and invested not only the years and time but also the huge amounts of money it would cost for the running of the ships, wages, fuel just to name a few areas of cost of conducting extensive and thorough research into the life and habits, whale stocks, and study on the future of whales and whaling. They are unequalled by any other nation for their investment into scientific research. Do not forget, they do not make profit or run their national economy like other nations do with beef, pork and chicken out of exporting whale meat around the world, ask yourself when was the last time you saw whale meat in the supermarket here in NZ or any other country, and do not be fooled into thinking they just sell the meat in their own supermarkets because it is like finding a needle in a haystack. Of course some people believe they just take the meat and throw away the majority of the whale, again this is a misconception and nothing but lies that the media and independent groups like the sea Sheppard who are simply a terrorist cell sailing the high seas would have us believe. The fact is the Japanese highly respect the sacrifice of the whales and go to such lengths as to honour that sacrifice by using even the whales moustache whiskers as strings on one of their most ancient and cultural instruments called the kodo. Before you think about how sad you might think that is, and how you would never do such a thing, you are also showing your approvel by wearing perfume that contains whale oil.
In 1994 there was a public opinion survey done between six nations on the views of pro and anti whaling attitudes. We can see from the survey that culture and research are behind the motives of the voting. It is interesting to note,(click on table 12) the difference of opinion on the consumption of animals and what is considered to be acceptable between the different cultures. Clearly this is hypocritical view from some nations and base their ideas on what they think are cute.
You may think whaling is inhumane and disagree with the slaughter of whales, but really it’s no different to what happens on our own backyard and that nice big juicy steak on your plate.
CONCLUSION
Don’t have a cow, man - Eat whale!
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