Whales are majestic creatures, famed for their high intelligence and attractive singing. For centuries, humans have exploited whales for oil and meat. Due to this hunting, whales are close to extinction and the international community has actually banned whale fishing. Nonetheless, Japan defies the ban on whale fishing.
The negative influence humans have had on whales stems from the commercial hunting for meat and perfume compounds. More than 2 million whales were killed in the early 20th century. By the middle of the 20th century, whales were seriously endangered and amounts were diminished. In 1986 the International Whaling Commission (IWC) banned commercial whaling, but Japan continues to overlook this ban. Once the ban was in place, Japan continued to hunt whales using a loophole that provides for scientific investigation. The meat from these hunts is offered in shops and restaurants. Though Japan is skirting the rules, and it is frowned upon by the IWC, the IWC still enables it.
Whales add to the ecological variety of the oceans. Whales ingest krill, fish, and little mammals. Whales come in lots of designs and sizes and are discovered all over the globe. In spite of their diversity, most varieties of whales are at danger due to hunting, habitat changes, and human population reduction. If whales were to go extinct, there would be a considerable unfavorable influence on the natural world.
Whale hunting has been around the globe banned considering that 1986. The International Whaling Commission enacted this ban but left a number of loopholes open. Whales can be fished for scientific research, as well as by a couple aboriginal collections. Japan hunts whales to use their meat and claims that they are performing scientific research. The non-profit organization Sea Shepherd helps supervise Japan and protect against excess hunting.
The illegal whale hunts have not stopped. More wants to be done to get rid of whaling before the varieties is completely reduced. Marine Shepherd is dedicated to this fight. Visit Sea Shepherd to learn more.
