Monday, 15 June 2015

SOSE, Japanese Whaling, Grade 10

1.0 INTRODUCTION:
The following report will outline the various features of whaling: practises, prevention and action. 
Whales are magnificent, large and unique animals on planet Earth (Greenpeace Foundation). Every year, the Japanese whaling fleet sail thousands of kilometres each year cruelly eliminate the whales in the Southern Ocean. 
These animals are primarily hunted for their rare meat and highly priced oil (National Geographic). Organisations such as Greenpeace and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society help prevent such catastrophic incidents from happening in the sea. This report however will focus on the Japanese whaling fleet. This report will outline and describe whaling, prevention of such acts and the affects it has had both on the environment and the great animals. 


2.0 WHALING PRACTISES: 
Although in the modern day, the general public around the world is highly against the act. The practise of Japanese whaling has significantly developed over time and killing a whale in the modern day has been assisted with many new technological methods thanks to portions of Japanese tax money assisting with research in such equipment. 
A general Japanese whaling ship is equipped with whaling sonar system. When the ship is in the surroundings of a whale, a 30 gram penthrite grenade armed harpoon is shot into the whale. If the grenade armed harpoon is not shot cleanly, another harpoon is fired and or a high calibre rifle is used to finish the deadly act (Animal Planet, 2014). 
This method of killing is truly terrible and costs associated with doing so is tremendous. However, the Japanese government still persists with the act. 



3.0 PREVENTION:
In 1946, eighty governments from countries around the world joined to form the International Whaling Commission (IWC). The International Whaling Commission is the global body in charge of conservation of whales and the management of whaling (International Whaling Commission, 2014). 
In 1982, the Whaling Commission called for a moratorium on commercial whaling. Japan was allowed to whale purely for scientific purposes while Norway was allowed to hunt for meat. 
Although, many species of whales have benefitted from the moratorium, organisations are still trying to prevent whaling in general (National Geographic). In 2012- 2013, Japan killed 445 whales in which they claimed was for ‘scientific purposes’ (WDC).  
This claim is false as they have been constantly been caught selling the meat and oil of the whale for a high price even before any testing on whales had been conducted. (Thornton, 2010) Figure 1, which is depicted below proves that countries with the scientific permits are abusing this right to commit the deadly act of whaling and kills are rapidly increasing over time. 
It has been clear that many global anti- whaling campaigns such as Greenpeace and the Sea Shepherds have prevented the whaling craze in Japan and subsequently the Japanese people have begun to oppose the act of whaling and as a country, have rapidly tried to decrease their consumption of whale meat. Despite the decline of demand for whale meat, the whaling industry has continually has been growing in Japan due to Japanese tax subsidiaries. Though, financially whaling is a loss (a mere US$22 million total turnover in 2008), the Japanese government will not concede to a somewhat ‘defeat’ as they have been fighting this act for many years and some say, would cause shame to the acting government as it has been a Japanese tradition for many years.  



4.0 ACTION: 
Though commercial whaling has been abolished, few countries such as- Norway, Iceland and Japan have continued to whale under the ‘scientific research’ act. Worldwide, the general public considers whaling to be a cruel, unnecessary and harsh act. In order to take action, if everyone were to put pressure on the whaling governments, whales will remain protected for many, many more years (Yeovil Innovation Centre). Furthermore, by signing petitions organised by anti- whaling committees, there is better chance they will be heard and respected (Sea Sheppard, 2013). 

5.0 CONCLUSION:
It has become evident over the last year that the general public and political voices around the world have made a significant difference in the world of whaling. On the 31st of March, 2014 the International Whaling Commission ruled that the Japanese had to cease its whaling hunt in the Antarctic. This was a tremendous win for the anti- whaling committees and has given them a drive to stop the Japanese whaling in the Pacific. With the constant help and support of the public, we can help to stop whaling all together! 


BIBLIOGRAPHY

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