They're whaling again in Iceland...
...and that totally pisses me off.
Sorry for the choice of words, but I really don't understand why any nation would allow for whales to be hunted ever again, instead of promoting whale-watching tours instead.
Why kill the animals, when there are so few left? What will they do in a few years, when their prey will be extinct? Why not just change the attitude and let many people pay for the joy to see those big mammals swim near them, year for year? Wouldn't that be much better for all parties concerned, whales, whalers and tourists?
*sigh*
I cancelled my plans to go to Iceland next year. I'll visit Scotland instead.
You know, I would really have loved to go to Iceland...
Sorry for the choice of words, but I really don't understand why any nation would allow for whales to be hunted ever again, instead of promoting whale-watching tours instead.
Why kill the animals, when there are so few left? What will they do in a few years, when their prey will be extinct? Why not just change the attitude and let many people pay for the joy to see those big mammals swim near them, year for year? Wouldn't that be much better for all parties concerned, whales, whalers and tourists?
*sigh*
I cancelled my plans to go to Iceland next year. I'll visit Scotland instead.
You know, I would really have loved to go to Iceland...
posted by Claudia at 00:09
3 Comments:
I agree with sir pink
You should also check this out:
http://sjavarutvegsraduneyti.is/frettir/nr/1297
and form an educated opinion based on the facts
I can't believe that here we are in 2006 and these kind creatures are still being hunted. How confusing for them that one boat will aim cameras, and another with aim to kill. I don't understand. There are so many alternatives. It's just so wrong.
Bullfighting is wrong too, yet it persists. It's so cruel.
Hi to sirpink and egill!
What a pity that you did leave no profile at Blogger or any address to post to...
Well, here I go.
I read your arguments, I followed the link, I read a letter that ambassador Júlísus Hafstein from the Department of Overseas Business and Tourism, sent as a reply to a mail I sent concerning whaling in Iceland. And, be assured, these were not the first things I read on whaling and whales.
I'm far from wanting to deprive any country or people from decisions concerning their policies, but this is my blog and I'm at least free to speak my mind.
I simply don't like whaling.
It's a pity whales are being caught in Iceland, no matter which species.
And I don't like Japan's, Norwegian, American or any other country's whaling as well, you know.
I don't think that it is necessary to kill whales "for scientific reasons" (Japan's main excuse). It's cynical to say that and go eat the catches.
I don't think that it is necessary to kill whales for the products that once where made from whale meat, bones and such, as there are quite a lot of substitutes nowadays.
I don't think it is necessary to kill whales because "it's a part of national history" (if it really were, shouldn't the old methods be used to go hunting?) or jobs could be saved.
In the area where I grew up, people used to work in coal mines and steel works. It was a part of the history, a part of the heritage, if you want to say so. When the coal mines were exhausted or became unprofitable, the unemployment increased tremenduously. But within a few years (speaking of 10 to 15 years), the area adapted to the situation, new jobs in different fields could be found. It's beginning to flourish again, but not because of the coal and steel.
Back to the whales:
I know, due to the human's exploitation of natural (including marine) resources, the natural balance is disturbed, thus it might be necessary to arrange for this balance. I don't like this either, because it's not the whales' fault that humans catch so much fish that it's not enough for both species.
But, anyhow, what is the reason for whaling, if not scientific (ha!) or for the raw materials? It's a history of eating whale meat. That's all there is to it now. And all of that talk about whale populations not being threatened and IWC numbers and talks that are on impasse seem to me as a disguise for the fact that there seem to be quite a lot of people who eat whale meat.
I would think it much more honest to admit that this is the main reason why whales are hunted today. And as long as there are people who want to eat that, there will be people willing to provide for that.
Can't we change our habits? Shouldn't we know better?
I surely will return to Iceland and I will speak openly about this topic to anyone who's open for a talk. Iceland is truely beautiful and the people are nice and friendly. Funny I never heard any of them say that they like to eat whale meat (although I have seen it on the menus, e.g. of the Hummarhusið restaurant).
Some told me about algae snacks, but maybe they were vegetarians anyway ;-)
If you want to continue this discussion, just let me know.
But for today,
it's 'NUFF SAID.
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