Killing Whales for Scientific Research
 

How come this applies only to whales?I don't see other endangered species being killed for research..Just imagine if the Chinese were killing Pandas as part of their research just what the furore would be.So why doesn't Japan get the picture? :erm:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/7232239.stm

Re: Killing Whales for Scientific Research
 

I don't want to put my head on the chopping block, but here goes...

How is whaling any different from slaughtering cattle, sheep, pigs, or hunting wild deer?

Perhaps the only difference is that fact that one is acceptable in Britain and whaling is not (although it used to be).

Re: Killing Whales for Scientific Research
 

Cows and pigs are not endangered species.Neither are many of our deer.;)

Re: Killing Whales for Scientific Research
 

Cattle are not in danger of becoming extinct. If they were, things would be different. We protect a great many endangered species from being hunted. Whales deserve no less than rhinos, siberian tigers, etc.

The real issue here is that there is a market for whale meat in Japan backed by a very powerful industry lobby that the Japanese government doesn't want to upset. They need to be seen to be doing as much as they can to ensure the market continues to be supplied, and doing 'research' that, coincidentally, results in the deaths of large numbers of whales, is their solution.

Re: Killing Whales for Scientific Research
 

I don't agree with Japanese whaling, but if you look at the BBC In Depth guide to whales, the Minke whale is described as 'lower risk' with about 450,000 in the Southern Hemisphere, and Japan is planning to catch 950.

Re: Killing Whales for Scientific Research
 

OK, it is the "endangered species" that is the focus of your concern, not slaughter of mammals. Apologies.

In that case, it does seem a bit hypocritical to point fingers abroad when we have problems at home. For example:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environmen...ture=330112716

Re: Killing Whales for Scientific Research
 

The population figure is a bit meaningless without some paramaters ... how many mature breeding pairs? How long from birth to maturity? Length of life cycle?

Japan may only be catching 950, but if the population doesn't grow by that much this year, there will be a net decrease. And if, as we expect, they seek to use their 'research' to claim the population is in rude health and commercial whaling can resume, how many whales per year might be caught then?

Re: Killing Whales for Scientific Research
 

So more scientific research is needed. QED. ;)

Re: Killing Whales for Scientific Research
 

It's a common fallacy to suggest that focusing on one issue implies ignorance of, or lack of concern for, another. This is a discussion forum, we operate (mostly) single-topic discussion threads. You could start up a topic on any of those animals if you like.

You might as well claim I have no interest in the climate change issue just because I've not sold my car and reverted to subsistence farming. ;)

---------- Post added at 15:48 ---------- Previous post was at 15:47 ----------

Greenpeace would agree with you. They just don't think it's necessary to kill the whales in the pursuit of that 'research'.

Re: Killing Whales for Scientific Research
 

Hey, I'm not advocating whaling (or corncrake-mowing, for that matter). I'm just trying to get to the bottom of the issue. What, precisely, is the objection to whaling?

I suspect it has a lot more to do with cultural differences that a genuine concern for the marine environment.

Re: Killing Whales for Scientific Research
 

The Japanese are killing an endangered species and claiming they are doing so for research purposes.The animals you have referred to in that link are not being killed by the scientists trying to protect them under the guise of research purposes.They are being killed by the the way we live our lives and not for food usage.I'm just pointing out that it flies in the face of what is accepted conservation policy to 'deliberately' kill that which you are protecting from endangerment.

Re: Killing Whales for Scientific Research
 

Actually, a large number of survey methods are used, many of which cause no apparent harm to the whales. More information can be found here: http://www.icrwhale.org/sightingsurvey.htm

Re: Killing Whales for Scientific Research
 

I think the first thing the Japanese should do is not land any of the "specimens" in port but destroy them at sea making them unfit for human consumption.

When that happens I would start to believe their "scientific" ideas...

Re: Killing Whales for Scientific Research
 

Surely one Whale is much like another, I wonder why they have to kill so many for "research". Of course we all know it isn't. I did read that the Japanese demand for Whale meat is declining, mainly among the younger population.
Whale meat again, don't know where, don't know when, but I know Whale meat again some sunny day.

Re: Killing Whales for Scientific Research
 

:D

Calm down, Vera!

Re: Killing Whales for Scientific Research
 

killing whales is the least of your worries in this world, agreed its not healthy to be removing loads of the population of a certain type of animal.

What those in control are doing would make most peoples jaws drop to the floor.

Its the genetic engineering on humans and kids which is much more worrying.

and the microchips which have been announced on all mainstream news media stations....

george orwell 1984 comes to mind...

Re: Killing Whales for Scientific Research
 

What microchips might they be, please?

Re: Killing Whales for Scientific Research
 

Why, the ones they've been putting in all those genetically engineered kids obviously ;) :erm:

Re: Killing Whales for Scientific Research
 

Re: Killing Whales for Scientific Research
 

Oh great!Way to go...hijack a thread that has some basis in fact for the old tin foil hat jobby.

:nutter:

Take your conspiracy theories to your own thread...:rolleyes:

Re: Killing Whales for Scientific Research
 

Re: Killing Whales for Scientific Research
 

Greenpeace have been actively campaigning long and hard on the Japanese whaling issue and have managed to achieve some consessions - from challenging their whale catch to today but Japan have their own agenda. They change their reasons for killing to suit themselves.

http://www.greenpeace.org/internatio...mrsplashypants

and:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4627178.stm

Re: Killing Whales for Scientific Research
 

Re: Killing Whales for Scientific Research
 

does that include me apparently taking lithium and being a nutter and conspiracy theorist for having a different opinion?

Re: Killing Whales for Scientific Research