Readers harpoon waffling on whaling ban

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Expert slams plans to lift whaling ban as crunch summit looms

This is utterly astounding! I've been a member of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society for 10 years and along the way have "converted" members of my family, friends and work colleagues with the tales of my whale watching experiences accompanied by photos and slide shows. They pretty much feel the same way I do about some recently amended opinions from some nations. About 10 years ago I went to an IWC debate in Cambridge and made the point of whale watching being a far more sustainable business with a wholesome knock-on effect for an entire community versus spot-the-whale-and-kill on the (Japanese) fish market. But felt that the overall consensus was that "this had to be done." Why? Where's the market? It's not like we don't have alternatives for everything that the whale used to be hunted for a century ago ... no satisfactory answer was given to my mind. For many years I have admired the resolute stance that Australia and New Zealand have taken towards whaling and have aspired to immigrate to these countries that have similar values to my own. Now imagine my huge disappointment to hear that New Zealand is now re-considering its vote on this incredibly important issue. What? As a species, humans were arrogant enough to decimate huge populations of various whale species in the short time of 50 to 100 years. Have we not learned anything about man's greed let alone "proper fisheries management"?! Come on New Zealand - remember your principles! Keep up the good work WDCS! -- Cath, Great Britain

Whales are very valuable to all of our lives and do not belong to the Japanese - nor do they deserve to end as Sashimi. If we can't save the whales, we can't save ourselves. -- Isabel, Thailand

I believe that no whale should be killed for any reason, unless someone is starving and then must hunt it in a boat with a spear. If someone can figure out to breed Minke Whales in captivity and harvest them for meat like pigs, cattle, turkeys and so on ... fine. But whales are wild in their own habitat and hunted by huge ships! They are outgunned and have no way to defend themselves at all. To kill a whale for cosmetics, medicine, laundry detergent …no way! In this day and age ... how can anyone think this is okay? Human beings may dominate the plan ... but we are terrible leaders and "overseers" of the planet. This must be stopped and whaling nations stopped and punished severely when they break the law. Ask a whale ... would you like a harpoon to rip through your body and bleed to death in a painful way in your home and then dragged onto a ship to be eaten or turned in makeup or detergent? The whale would never say yes to that! We must stop dominating the planet as if we know best! -- Stephanie, US

It won't do any good ... ban or no, people will still continue to break the rules. That's the way of man's human nature history, his greed side that is. -- Ginna via Facebook

@Ginna: You may be correct, but someone must take stand otherwise it will be too late. Here in Australia the carelessness of our fore fathers has caused the extinction of a number species never to be seen again. -- David via Facebook

The ban should be kept strong as it is. Even harder regulations should be agreed on. If species disappear the whole balance will be altered and other species will fade as well damaging our environment. -- Maria via Facebook

Those who break the rules should be brought to justice! -- Jesse via Facebook

What's the commercial value and market for whales anyway? Why continue whaling? -- Clifton via Facebook

Compiled by Stuart Tiffen
Editor: Andreas Illmer