Given all we know of whales, why resume the slaughter?

[Judi Lynn]

Given all we know of whales, why resume the slaughter?
Legally and morally, the world has been moving to recognise these wise beings' right to life. We must not throw it all away

Paloa Cavalieri
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 6 April 2010 20.00 BST

Whales are dignified, intelligent and sensitive beings. We have known this for some time, and yet still they remain, much to our shame, susceptible to human assault.

In recent centuries, great cetaceans have been driven nearly to extinction while nations competed in the hunt without restraint. But we now live in globalised times. The world has become smaller and, of necessity, more co-ordinated. The old order based on full state sovereignty is being partially replaced by an integrated system of international law. While this change is most visible in the domain of human rights – which has become seen as supported by the "universal conscience of the world's peoples" – other spheres have been affected, too. Not least, the worldwide treatment of whales, a subject which has returned to the headlines as the International Whaling Commission considers plans to green-light limited commercial whaling.

In recent decades, a broadening international consensus has begun to emerge in the policies of those institutions concerned with "whaling" – in itself an unpleasant term for what should accurately be called whale hunting – and in particular that of the IWC, created in 1946 to co-ordinate the different national industries. As legal scholars have noted, such policies, by moving from the initial stage of free resource to the present stage of preservation marked by a moratorium on commercial hunting, have come close to acknowledging a major theoretical shift – the adoption of the view that whales are entitled to life. And, though there still are countries – Japan, Norway, and Iceland – which, through various devices, keep hunting, the relevant premises for such a shift are unquestionable.

The idea of duty to whales is gradually being translated into obligation under international law. At the same time, the "universal conscience of the world's peoples" is relevant, too: evidenced by the millions of people who regard the killing of whales as inconsistent with current moral ideals; by the number of international NGOs – such as the UK-based Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society – which constantly work to implement such ideals; and by the global sympathy for those who wage war against whale hunters.

To this, a powerful new element should be added. We have discovered that whales "sing". Scientists have explained to us that whale societies display complex and stable vocal and behavioural cultures previously suggested only for humans. More impressively still, research into whale behaviour points to an ability to look to the past, present and future – functions on which consciousness of oneself as a distinct entity existing in time are mounted.

More:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/apr/06/whale-hunting-moratorium-japan-iceland

[sui generis]

1. on DU ironically, one can't answer that question in a manner

that criticizes Japanese culture.

However, let me be the first to say that while condemning the hunt is not a condemnation of Japanese culture as a whole, it should be a condemnation the Japanese public policy of lying about "scientific" whale hunts and raiding an international whale sanctuary. It's also a ready condemnation of otherwise using a "hunting" method that is absolutely inhumane and in my opinion is also a reflection of an innate cultural component that lacks the ability to empathize with anything other than giant-eyed pre-pubescent cartoon girls.

Which is not even remotely a judgement of many Japanese who in many cases also oppose whale slaughter for any reason. It's driven by a failing food economy and is not a profitable operation in a younger market coming of age and expressing a declining demand for whale meat.

[formercia]

2. Because some people are just assh0les.

Anything for a buck. If they could render liberals down to make soap, they would do it if they thought there would be no penalty.
How do you think the Nazis convinced their citizens to commit mass murder? Evoke Patriotism, Racism, Religion and lack of accountability along with the chance to make a Mark or two on the side.

[MisterP]

3. it's TRADITION! I mean, inhabitants of the Distrito Federal, Mexico, are permitted to capture and

bind tourists or folks from Guerrero and hack out their hearts in the Zocalo

it's for--uh, sustenance--yeah, so everything's cool