Whales are among God’s largest and most amazing creatures. One species can grow as long as 98 feet and weigh as much as 420,000 pounds! In much of the world, people have hunted whales for their meat, blubber, and bone for thousands of years. Canada, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Russia, and the United States still perform whaling operations.
Supporters insist whaling advances scientific research. But some animal activists think whaling has gone too far. They believe certain whale species could disappear if people keep hunting whales. Objectors say the science behind the slaughter is shaky. They want whale hunting to stop.
In April, Norway kicked off its annual six-month whaling season.
Experts estimate there are more than 100,000 unendangered minke whales off the ragged western coast of Norway—where the annual hunt takes place.
This year, Norwegian whalers may kill up to 999 minke whales. That’s more than the 880 allowed in 2016.
Once a major industry, whaling is disappearing in Norway. Demand for whale meat is small, and whalers are retiring at a rapid rate. Officials say the whale quota hasn’t been met in recent years.
Still, many Norwegians consider whaling part of their coastal culture. They insist that fishers and small firms depend on the ancient occupation.
Whale hunting has been a source of controversy since the International Whaling Commission voted to pause commercial whaling in 1982. The group allowed for some whaling exceptions. Native hunters and scientific researchers may still whale.
Norway didn’t fall into either category. Instead, the country filed a complaint with the commission. The country sets its own whaling guidelines.
Japanese whale hunters use the scientific research exception of the IWC ban. This spring, Japan’s whalers killed 333 whales in the Antarctic. Japan’s Fisheries Agency says the hunt was for ecological research.
Critics insist studies can be done without killing the whales.
They also assert Japan’s program isn’t as scientific as the country claims. They say science is a cover for commercial whaling because the whales are sold for food. Japan’s government points out that IWC rules state that whale meat acquired for scientific research can’t be wasted.
Japan has hunted whales for centuries. Whales were a source of protein and a cheap meat alternative. The Japanese used every part of the whale—from baleen or “teeth” to blubber.
As in Norway, Japan’s whaling industry may be dying. Demand for the meat has fallen in recent years. Japan’s government spends large sums of money to sustain whaling operations. It believes whaling is a cultural tradition worth preserving.
