Norway ups whale quota...

[AreRJ]

Originally Posted by Lou

Harvested - such a quaint expression for being tracked, then having a grenade-tipped harpoon launched at you, that, depending on accuracy of shot, may not lead to your death for half an hour......

Much like sport fishing, nice expression for torturing a fish half to death, then releasing it when it finally is exhausted enough for you to reel it in.

By the way, over 80% of the minke whales die momentarily, more than 10 of the last 20 % go unconcious momentarily and don't feel pain, leaving less than 10% just wounded. Less than 10% is of course not good enough, but isn't especially bad compared to other animals we grow to be food.


-A

[Lou]

That'd be why I don't "sport fish" either......

Oh, or eat animals grown to be food.

However, two wrongs do not make a right, and whaling is, and always has been, a barbaric practise. As I understand it the research done on death rates was not done on a large sample, nor was it done without the crews knowing, so the slant to the results are that they are bound to be better than they are when the whaler crews are not under observation.

The crux odf the matter is that Norway is not a poor country. It does not need to whale for food and if there is the slightest risk that by contimuing to whale the future of of the large ocean mammals is further endangered (which there is) is hsould not continue, let alone have quota upped.

If Norway wants to be seen in the same light as Japan on matters of animal welfare then it is going the right way about it.

[ray]

Originally Posted by Lou

That'd be why I don't "sport fish" either......

Oh, or eat animals grown to be food.

However, two wrongs do not make a right, and whaling is, and always has been, a barbaric practise. As I understand it the research done on death rates was not done on a large sample, nor was it done without the crews knowing, so the slant to the results are that they are bound to be better than they are when the whaler crews are not under observation.

The crux of the matter is that Norway is not a poor country. It does not need to whale for food and if there is the slightest risk that by continuing to whale the future of of the large ocean mammals is further endangered (which there is) is hsould not continue, let alone have quota upped.

If Norway wants to be seen in the same light as Japan on matters of animal welfare then it is going the right way about it.

Hi.

Good point, but the UK exploited the whales for hundreds of years, they lit the homes and streets, and kept the wheels of industry albeit the bit we had turning with whale oil.

When you had a wash you used soap made from whales, you used its skeleton for jewelry and objects to many to mention. Ok you will turn round and say we have alternatives now, but the alternatives are making a big hole in the ozone and making your next dive a little deeper, maybe shoving some folk off a low lying piece of land somewhere.

There are always trade offs, and if somebody is feeding their kids as they have done for thousands of years, I do not think I have the right to say because we like little furry things, or things with big soft brown eyes, or majestic creatures that swim in the sea, you are wrong for doing it.

It is just a way of life we do not understand, because as we no all food comes off the shelf packaged in super markets, and it never was alive really because its a pie!.

Shame we have double standards. All of us!.

[applepie]

i've read that its actually more of a political issue to continue whaling for Norway, I must apologise as I have forgotten the main point of it but it made alot of sense when I read it. Will try and find the article again.

correct me if I am wrong although, whale meat isnt even popular in Norway or Japan, its just become some tourist or rich delicacy as opposed to a staple diet (not that it ever was I think?)

then there is the whole identity, history and tradition of whaling in Norway, not sure how important that is , not being norwegian.

at least its not as bad as when the japanese increased their "scientific" quota! wtf slay a few hundred whales in the name of "science"

agree with the double standards thing, heck i'm guilty meself

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by AreRJ

Most fish that we harvest is not deliberately grown, so I really don't see your point.

The point IMHO is that (as you all I'm sure well know) is that minke are not fish. They are mammals and may, or may not be quite intelligent. It is this reason, not their sustainability that really pisses people off.

Fish are harvested well beyond the level that makes sense and the commercial fishing industry will probably starve the minke if given long enough.

The real issue then becomes whether or not it is befitting to our species to inflict appaling cruelty on highly intelligent mammals with no real need to do so. I leave it to those with more knowledge than myself to determine the intelligence of minke. Some whale species are intelligent others less so.

However, as best I understand it the Norweigen whaling industry only cares about sustainability of the "crop" and the issue of animal welfare does not enter into it. This is why so many people (myself included) are so opposed to the "industry" and simply take a visceral dislike to all its activities.

Since there is no point in arguing with the people that are too stupid and ignorant and inhuman and pathetic to consider the welfare of the whales I don't wish to start such a discussion. I come from a farming background and have raised animals to eat as well as having personally killed and prepared animals. I am not a dewy-eyed vegan or anything like one. However, if any farmer blew the legs off his cows with a handgrenade he would be sent to prison. Whaling is, as best I can see it, the marine equivalent of such treatment of animals. The people who do it, and defend it are the most contemptible worthless shite that walk the planet.

Chris

[ray]

Originally Posted by chrisch

The point IMHO is that (as you all I'm sure well know) is that minke are not fish. They are mammals and may, or may not be quite intelligent. It is this reason, not their sustainability that really pisses people off.

Fish are harvested well beyond the level that makes sense and the commercial fishing industry will probably starve the minke if given long enough.

The real issue then becomes whether or not it is befitting to our species to inflict appaling cruelty on highly intelligent mammals with no real need to do so. I leave it to those with more knowledge than myself to determine the intelligence of minke. Some whale species are intelligent others less so.

However, as best I understand it the Norweigen whaling industry only cares about sustainability of the "crop" and the issue of animal welfare does not enter into it. This is why so many people (myself included) are so opposed to the "industry" and simply take a visceral dislike to all its activities.

Since there is no point in arguing with the people that are too stupid and ignorant and inhuman and pathetic to consider the welfare of the whales I don't wish to start such a discussion. I come from a farming background and have raised animals to eat as well as having personally killed and prepared animals. I am not a dewy-eyed vegan or anything like one. However, if any farmer blew the legs off his cows with a handgrenade he would be sent to prison. Whaling is, as best I can see it, the marine equivalent of such treatment of animals. The people who do it, and defend it are the most contemptible worthless shite that walk the planet.

Chris

Is that steam coming out of your ears.