Monday, Jun 8, 2009

Current Headlines: The Whale Wars

Despite Laws, Whaling Continues…

Viewers watching the television show The Whale Wars on Animal Planet will see the harpooning and murder of these beautiful, gentle giants despite international anti-whaling laws which were passed in 1982 and implemented in 1986.   Unfortunately, despite human-kind’s effort to cease whaling and revive the populations to these species, Japan continues to destroy them under the claim that they are doing it for “research.”   Yet, film relays a different picture showing the whales obviously being butchered for meat which is readily available in sushi markets and restaurants in Japan. 

There is newsworthy controversy about The Sea Shepherd’s efforts in the Antarctic to prevent Japan’s actions in the South Artic Seas.   In March 2009, when The Steve Irwin (the name of the vessel operated by The Sea Shepherds) arrived Tasmania, they were met by Australian authorities who led a thorough investigation as to the tapes aboard the ship which were the tapes for the Animal Planet series.  The Sea Shepherd’s tactics are almost comparable to non-lethal terrorism and admittedly they take extremely dangerous  risks.  One of The Sea Shepherd’s tactics is to throw stink bombs onto the decks of these ships so that the deckhands cannot bear the smell and do the job of slaughtering and butchering the whales.  Another aggressive maneuver they enlist is bringing the ship dangerously close to the whaling ships to prevent them from harpooning.  More detailed information on their tactics can be identified HERE.  One such incident was when The Steve Irwin’s tactical maneuvers brought the ship too close to a Japanese ship, resulting in the death of a Japanese sailor who went overboard, despite The Sea Shepherd’s offer to assist in the rescue efforts.  There are legal opinions as to this topic HERE. 

 In the discussion about the legality of The Sea Shepherd’s actions, all that can come to my mind on this issue is the film of the beautiful whale being harpooned, killed, and dragged onto the ship.  After a harpoon, it may take these creatures 30-45 minutes to die and researchers believe it is a painful death.  The Japanese are claiming the lives of whales  in a time when starvation for their country is no longer an issue and the need for their oil has been replaced with petroleum.  It is blatantly obvious that they are breaking international laws by whaling as the number of whales killed is far greater than what any country would need for research in this day and age.   Simultaneously, there is a fine legal line that The Sea Shepherd is walking on in their actions. 

I am torn between my belief in laws and my passion for the preservation of these mammals.  As I watched this whale die, tears streamed down my face and I asked God to please put a stop to this agonizing cruelty and to protect these beautiful creatures that he so expertly created.  I can easily understand why these men and women risk their lives on their mission to save these gentle giants of the sea.

Are you familiar with this topic?  If so, what are your thoughts on it?

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