Japan and Whaling

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by Odin

Did I answer the question?

[joncha]

Go Whalers

[Geronimo]

Originally posted by Lorizael
Considering that almost every species to ever live is now extinct, it seems only natural, yes?

natural != good and proper. Imho, extinction is only ok if the extinct species is in no way novel or interesting, provides little insight into the natural history of our planet, and of course has no sustainable economic value. Otherwise even natural extinctions are a waste.

[DaShi]

Originally posted by Geronimo


natural != good and proper. Imho, extinction is only ok if the extinct species is in no way novel or interesting, provides little insight into the natural history of our planet, and of course has no sustainable economic value. Otherwise even natural extinctions are a waste.

But if animals exist only for man, as you say, then whether they become extinct or not is simply the result of our desire and whimsy. It's only as bad or good as we need it to be.

[DaShi]

Anyway, the Japanese in space?:

We're whalers on the moon,
We carry a harpoon.
But there ain't no whales
So we tell tall tales
And sing our whaling tune.

[snoopy369]

Free Willy!!!!!

[Geronimo]

Originally posted by DaShi


But if animals exist only for man, as you say, then whether they become extinct or not is simply the result of our desire and whimsy. It's only as bad or good as we need it to be.

that seems convenient to me!

[Timexwatch]

It's all Japanese national chauvinism. I've heard that there isn't a big market for the meat and that it has to be given away in schools.

[Drake Tungsten]

As far as I know it isn't being given away to schools due to a lack of market demand for it. Politicians are actively pushing to get it into school lunches.

edit:

Whatever the (possible) merits of this move, it turns out that the Wakayama educational office had been lobbying the Fisheries Agency for months to lower its prices and make whale meat a viable option for school lunches. And through the help of the government its wish has finally been granted. Resulting in 100 grams of whale meat dropping in price from 500 yen to 125 yen. Making it similar in price to chicken and pork.

http://www.wordpress.tokyotimes.org/?p=531

I don't see how whale meat would cost 500 yen per 100 gram if there wasn't a market for it...

edit 2: http://www.guardian.co.uk/internatio...772015,00.html

Seems like a combined commercial/governmental interest is behind the move to serve whale in schools. The article also reiterates the relative scarcity of whale meat and the strings that are being pulled so that schools can afford to serve it.

[Lorizael]

Originally posted by Geronimo
natural != good and proper. Imho, extinction is only ok if the extinct species is in no way novel or interesting, provides little insight into the natural history of our planet, and of course has no sustainable economic value. Otherwise even natural extinctions are a waste.

Oh believe me, I agree. I think nature is stupid. But most environmentalists seem to like it.

[alva]

Well, seeing as many whales have become poissenous due to pollution, I think we can only applaud Japanese kids eating them.

[Arrian]

Originally posted by MichaeltheGreat

Killing humans can be far more productive, and certainly more sporting, as they tend to arm themselves and try to fight back.

They even made a movie, starring Ice T (seriously). Really bad, but funny in its way.

Surviving the Game was the title, IIRC.

-Arrian

[DaShi]

China's revenge.

[Geronimo]

Originally posted by alva
Well, seeing as many whales have become poissenous due to pollution, I think we can only applaud Japanese kids eating them.

Poisonous whales? Where on earth did you hear about poisonous whales?

[ískallin]

Blaming WHALES for depleting fish stocks? A-holes.

Well they actually do...
At least the Killer whales do and they yeat a lot. What do they eat. Cod and a lot of it, of course they kill Blue whales also but that's another story.

Sorry to break the greenpeace illusion that whales are cute little fishes. They are as viscous as any other predator and should be hunted and eaten (as their meat is quite tasty).

As for the bribes, it works either way comrade . What the hell do you think countries like Switzerland are doing in the IWC??
They don't even have access to open sea! Don't you think nations like that take bribes or do you think that whale hunting nations are a bunch of dishonest scoundrels!

This policy of not hunting whales is absolutly ludicrous and utterly obselete.

Please give me one sensible argument why whales should not be killed.
And please spare me with the: "They're so cute and it's bad to shoot them with a big harpoon"
Grow up, the world is a harsh place and animals are killed to make food every second, if you arent a vegeterian then you are a big hypocrite criticizing animal killing as then you probably eat meat which comes from slain animals who live in tigh pens all their life until they are slaughtered.

Just my two krónur... (and yes I've worked in a slaughterhouse,farm and other animal killing places and come from the monstrusly barbaric (nolonger)whale hunting nation of Iceland.