Whales are large yet friendly animals, often regarded as sacred in many cultures. Nonetheless, many countries continue to hunt whales, despite global public outcry against such practices.
Japan Allows the Hunting of Endangered Whales Despite Criticism
Last week, the Japanese government announced that a fishing vessel from the country had captured a 55-ton, 19.5-meter-long fin whale off the coast of Iwate Prefecture. Japan is one of the few countries that ignores international rules regarding whaling.
The fin whale is the second largest animal on Earth, only smaller than the blue whale. Adult fin whales can weigh up to 80 tons and reach lengths of 24 meters. Newborn fin whales weigh about 1.8 tons and are 6 to 6.5 meters long at birth.
The fin whale is the second largest animal in the world, weighing up to 80 tons (Photo: Wix).
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed fin whales as “Threatened and Endangered Species.” However, in May, the Japanese government placed fin whales on the list of species that can be hunted, claiming that their population in the North Pacific has recovered sufficiently for sustainable hunting.
Nevertheless, the Japanese government’s decision has faced criticism from many experts and biologists.
The Captain Paul Walson Fund (CPWF), an organization advocating for marine environmental protection, has strongly condemned Japan’s decision to allow the hunting of fin whales.
“Although Japan has violated the International Court of Justice’s ruling for years, they ceased whaling in the Southern Ocean in 2016 and now only hunt whales within their territorial waters,” CPWF stated in a press release.
“CPWF suspects that Japan plans to continue whaling in the South Atlantic and North Pacific in 2025,” a CPWF representative added.
Paul Walson, the founder of CPWF, was issued an international arrest warrant by the Japanese government and was arrested in Greenland just days before Japan announced the killing of the first fin whale in many years.
A Yushin Maru ship, one of Japan’s major whaling companies, on its hunting expedition (Photo: EPA).
“Fin whales are the second largest animals on Earth, and allowing the hunting of this species is a significant mistake for Japan. Japanese whalers have not killed fin whales since 2011.”
“The international community is working to protect this species, and we urge Japan to immediately withdraw this indefensible decision,” Catherine Bell, International Policy Director at the International Animal Welfare Fund, stated in a press release.
“There is no humane way to kill a whale at sea. Harpoon guns are often ineffective in killing fin whales instantly, leading to slow and painful deaths for them,” Catherine Bell further shared.
A hunter using a harpoon gun to target a whale off the coast of Pico Island, Portugal (Photo: NatGeo).
In addition to fin whales, the Japanese government has also permitted its fishing vessels to hunt other whale species such as minke whales, Bryde’s whales, and sei whales, with the latter also listed as endangered and at risk of extinction.
Which Countries Allow Whaling?
Whaling has a long history, dating back to prehistoric times in coastal waters. The earliest accounts of whaling are rock carvings found in Korea, believed to date back 6,000 years BC.
Eskimos in the North have had a tradition of whaling from Arctic waters for centuries (Photo: NatGeo).
Initially, whaling was aimed at securing food, but it later became associated with cultural and spiritual issues. The Basque people (Spain) are recorded as the first in history to hunt whales for commercial purposes.
By the early 19th century, the development of modern whaling techniques and increased demand for whale oil led to a significant rise in whale hunting, threatening many species with extinction.
As of 2024, whaling remains a contentious global issue. Despite a commercial whaling ban imposed by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) since 1986, several countries continue this practice for various reasons.
Meat and blubber from a bowhead whale laid out on ice in Utqiagvik, Alaska, USA (Photo: NatGeo).
Japan was once a member of the IWC, a global council regulating the whaling industry. However, in 2019, Japan withdrew from the commission to continue its whaling activities.
The IWC currently has 88 members, but the three countries that hunt the most whales—Japan, Norway, and Iceland—are not part of this organization.
Although Japan claims that its whaling is for scientific research, most hunted whales are subsequently sold on the consumer market, primarily for food, especially for traditional whale meat dishes. Additionally, Japan utilizes whale products such as oil, blubber, and bones in other industries.
Several other countries continue whaling but in insignificant numbers, including Australia, Russia, the USA, Canada, and Indonesia.
Why Do Many Countries Continue Whaling Despite Global Condemnation?
Many countries persist in whaling despite facing global condemnation due to complex reasons related to culture, economy, politics, and sovereignty. Here are the main reasons:
Assertion of National Sovereignty: Countries like Japan and Norway view whaling as a means to assert their maritime sovereignty and management rights over natural resources.
The governments of these countries argue that, similar to any other marine resource, whales can be sustainably harvested with proper management. Pressure from the international community sometimes leads to a backlash, making them more resolute in defending their rights.
Cultural and Traditional Preservation: In countries like Japan, Norway, and Iceland, whaling has become an integral part of culture and tradition.
For some communities in these countries, whales are not only a food source but also symbols of cultural heritage. Ceasing whaling may be perceived as a renunciation of an important part of their national identity.
Whale meat is a traditional and popular dish in many countries (Photo: Getty).
Economic Benefits: In some communities, particularly in Norway and Iceland’s coastal areas, whaling remains an important source of income. Whale products, including meat and blubber, can be consumed domestically or exported, contributing to the local economy.
Some whaling countries argue that those without a tradition of whaling do not fully understand the benefits it brings, leading them to disregard public opinion to continue their whaling practices.
Scientific Research Purposes: Countries like Japan claim that whaling is for scientific research. However, many believe this is merely a facade to justify their whaling activities.
Many countries assert that their whaling activities are entirely for scientific research purposes (Photo: Alamy Stock).
Differences in Whale Conservation Perspectives: Some countries believe that certain whale species do not face extinction threats, thus allowing for sustainable hunting practices.
These countries argue that whale species can be managed like any other biological resource, and that limited whaling would not affect the conservation status of whale populations.
Domestic Political Benefits: In some cases, politicians may support whaling to gain the backing of certain voter groups, such as those working in the whaling industry, giving them an advantage in elections.
Despite presenting specific reasons and benefits to justify whaling, it remains a highly controversial issue on the international stage. The international community continues to pressure countries to end whaling activities due to concerns about whale conservation and animal ethics.
Fin whale (scientific name: Balaenoptera physalus) is the second largest animal on Earth, only surpassed by the blue whale. The fin whale belongs to the baleen whale family and can grow up to 27 meters long and weigh up to 80 tons. They have a streamlined body and a characteristic V-shaped head. An unusual feature of the fin whale is that its right mandible is bright white, while the left mandible is black.
This species is widely distributed across the world’s oceans, from tropical to polar regions, although they typically avoid icy waters. Fin whales are known for their speed, capable of reaching speeds of up to 47 km/h, earning them the nickname “the greyhounds of the sea.” Fin whales are filter feeders, primarily consuming small fish, squid, and plankton. They can live up to 80-90 years in the wild. Despite being internationally protected since 1966, their population continues to decline due to hunting, vessel collisions, and environmental pollution, placing them on the list of vulnerable and endangered species. |
