A coalition of animal welfare organisations has said that methods of killing whales are so inhumane that all whaling operations should end. In a report called Troubled Waters, the group, Whalewatch, claims many whales do not die quickly when hit.
And tests to decide exactly when a whale is dead are described as inadequate.
However, whalers deny that their methods are cruel and reject calls to end the practice.
What do you think? Should there be a complete worldwide ban on whaling?
This debate is now closed. Read your comments below.
The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:
 |  We need more serious joined up ecological conservation  |
I can see why some people want to ban whaling. But,on the other hand, why only whaling? Why not ban eating cows or chickens or whatever? Personally, I quite enjoy eating whales, as other people enjoy eating meat. If we cultivated whales, would you accept whaling?
Kotomi. K, Japan
Could someone explain why we need to kill whales at all? Surely we are advanced enough as a race not to keep killing our planet's natural life. Greed is the only reason for such action. We all need to see the damage we are causing ourselves and our planet.
Trasie Howard, London, England
In the last 300 years we have shot, fished and hunted everything with hooves, fins, and claws to the point edge of extinction ... my concern is not what we should do BUT rather what we still can do. The problem here is the same as with the UN a basic lack of political will. If we continue to empty the seas for our own greed then we will be saving the whales so they may safely starve to death. After 300 years of ecological 'terrorism' we need more serious joined up ecological conservation.
Allan McEwan, Canada/UK
Yes, it should be banned. How could someone do this to something that existed long before humans! They never hurt anybody! Think, what would the world be like if whales died out?! These magnificent creatures hold many unsolved mysteries, like what are they saying when they "sing", or what they do in "advance darkness", these mysteries might never be solved if whaling continues.
Max Boulton, age 9, English living in US
Cruelty is subjective. In North America, turkeys are slaughtered by the millions, bred essentially as meat on legs. Should outsiders with no tradition of eating turkey tell North Americans to ban the killing of turkey completely? If the turkey was as popular as whales - after all, Benjamin Franklin considered the wild turkey to be a noble creature and wanted it to be the national bird of the US - you may very well see that happen, based on the logic of those who oppose whaling completely. Those who oppose the killing of any (animal) life are at least consistent; those who don't give a thought to where the meat on the table comes from and yet is disgusted by the thought of whaling should examine their cultural viewpoint carefully. A ban on whaling for reasons of sustaining the population makes sense; a complete and permanent worldwide ban is not justified.
Jongseong Park, Korea
I live in Norway (One of the countries that still practices whaling) and I have to say that I think it should be banned. I recognise that some groups of people and countries (such as Norway) would suffer economical loss if whaling was prohibited, but that's a blow we must take. I'm sure one could make a lot of money hunting other almost extinct species (such as pandas etc) but that doesn't mean it should be legal. In addition I am a bit sceptical to the methods with which one hunts whales (One uses a sort of hybrid between a harpoon and grenade) but I must confess I am not certain how rapidly the whale dies from a hit and thus cannot evaluate how humane it is.
Jonathan Ring, Oslo Norway
Which form of hunting is actually "humane"? Is trawling (and discarding most of the) fish humane? Is angling humane? Is killing rats with poison humane? Is squashing flies and spiders with your feet humane? I am a Norwegian and I enjoy eating whalemeat every now and then, and I have no problems with guilt or conscience in admitting so. Is breeding cows or pigs simply for the pleasure of eating them more humane? You can't make omelette without breaking eggs.
Jan, Norway
| And just who is going to enforce a ban? |
And just who is going to enforce a ban? Who is going to shoot at those whaling ships from Norway or Japan? The UN is a toothless, left wing, debating society that manufactures hundreds of tons of anti-American speeches. As we found out last year, only President Bush and PM Blair are willing to go around the world militarily and face down anyone.
Peter, La Marque, Texas If the tree huggers want to ban whaling then they should also ban the killing of any other living creature for food or human usage. The reasons for banning whaling should be based on sound reasoning i.e. not making them extinct, not on some rose tinted notion that ascribes human qualities to these animals by virtue of their size.
John, UK
I love fish, some sushi and most shellfish. I do not however, believe in whale hunting or eating. Too easily, I can see the damage of over-fishing on the east and west coasts of Canada with the greatly diminished Salmon numbers, with many runs even disappearing. I certainly would be in favour of a permanent ban on commercial tuna, salmon, and whale, rock and ling cod hunting; perhaps this would allow the many species to "catch a breath" and allow their numbers to rebound from human destruction.
Brendan, Canada
Whaling should be banned at once. The numbers of several species are almost below sustainable levels. Cultural 'excuses' cannot be upheld if they destroy the very resource they lay claim to. There is no whale product that is not easily and cheaply available elsewhere, by alternative methods. Our knowledge of whales is limited, but killing for so called 'scientific' reasons is illogical when current wildlife scientific research is concentrating on the long term monitoring and observation of living specimens. Scientific research would be a bit difficult if the subject is extinct. That is the final, irreversible future of the world's whale population if we do not come together and persuade or sanction those nations still participating in whaling.
Peter Hoggan, UK
| There are MANY people who feel the Inuit people should be allowed to hunt whales |
I find it difficult to believe there is a balance of views represented here. I see no opinions from people who feel this is a non-issue and I know there are MANY people who feel the Inuit people should be allowed to hunt whales. There are many people who see every part of evolution as natural, including the impact that man has on our planet. I don't see any of these views represented here. It's really unfortunate that there isn't real balance in the opinions shown.
Anonymous The fact that the practice of whaling still continues today is disgusting. Is it really necessary? I used to believe that we lived in an era of humanitarian and scientific enlightenment. I was clearly mistaken.
Thomas Saward, UK
What? I thought it was banned a long time ago. But what are we doing? Ban it now, are we waiting for the whales to be completely extinct or what?
Fran�ois, France
On the ground of culture, whaling shouldn't be banned. Ethnics that have been whaling for centuries would surely know when the act is deemed excessive. Anyway, whale provides all sort of beneficial product to human beings. It's all about the right timing.
Muzamir, Malaysia
| Ban or severely restrict all other forms of fishing |
Yes, ban whale hunting. At the same time ban or severely restrict all other forms of fishing. The tuna is on the verge of being wiped out along with the North Sea cod. Also, no-one has made any mention of the barbaric practice of shark fishing where only the fins are taken. It is not only the whale that is endangered. If we carry on the way we are going the oceans will resemble the deserts before too long.
Phil, UK
As usual mankind kills without thought for the future. Whales are the next species to become extinct as a result of indiscriminate slaughter. Us humans have a lot to be proud of as we overkill species that are struggling anyway to survive in an environment we have polluted.
Laetitia Ashford-Brown, U.K
At one time whaling was needed, their fats and oils helped burn the lights of civilisation. But now it seems more of a luxury to have whale fin and whale meat. The Inuits still hunt whales, and I think that is their sacred right. However, for other peoples whale is merely a luxury item that I think our civilisation does not need.
Matthew Weilenmann, Utah, USA
All of the products, save food, that are derived from whales can be obtained elsewhere or synthetically. The requirement for whales as food is sparse. I see no need for commercial whaling at all.
Lee Fisher, USA
As I see it the plague on this planet is us humans. Too many of us are destroying this beautiful planet and most of the species. Of course stop the whaling, and stop this stupid, short sighted anthropocentrism that ultimately will also be the end of us.
Iris Gallegos, The Netherlands Of course whaling should be completely banned. It is cruel and unnecessary and has no place in a civilised world
Holly B, UK
It's ridiculous to compare the killing of whales by Inuit communities with the commercial whaling practices of Norway and Japan. For the Inuits it's a case of survival whereas it's a delicacy for the others. Whales are wild animals. Nature will cull them if they become too numerous for their food source.
Mobass, London UK
Whaling in all shapes and forms should be abolished. In this day and age, the Japanese and Norwegian population have no need to slaughter so many defenceless animals in the name of cuisine. By the same token, all forms of cruelty to animals should be made punishable.
Jason Enright, Spain
Yes. Absolutely. They are sensitive animals; they are also intelligent and able to communicate. They are besides beautiful. Let them go on living. This will be a symbol of respect for life. For all forms of life.
Eduardo Rold�n, Spain
According to WDC, whaling will kill about 1,400 animals this year. That would hardly be a significant number if the whales' habitat was not being destroyed by fishing, shipping and pollution. It's easy to be pious about the visible and gory threat to cetaceans, but are we prepared to act on these other factors?
Mike, UK
Having just returned from Antarctica where both Minke and Humpback whales literally "played" with our zodiacs and ship, it amazes me simply ethically that whaling and its future is even considered! We know next to nothing on whales' behaviour, and yet we continue to kill them? This practice has to stop and the three countries ignoring anti-whaling calls must be sanctioned.
Conrad Hennig, South Africa
I am a UK citizen but I live in Japan. While in Japan I have tried whale meat. It tastes absolutely awful! Imagine chewing something with the consistency of lung tissue and the taste of tripe. It should be banned not just because of cruelty but because the taste is foul. Also, to be fair more whales are probably killed every year by sonar, which induces the bends, or from being torpedoed. Torpedoed? Who would do such a thing, and why? The US government and our own among others. I was informed by a drunk and giggling American Navy officer that this has happened on a number of occasions.
Anonymous, Japan
| When one carnivore calls another barbaric it really is a case of the pot calling the kettle black |
From time to time, I eat whale meat with a glass of Sake. I'm not particularly partial to it, but some people here are, and their ancestors were eating whale meat long before the British learnt to wander around half-naked painted blue. Food cultures differ, but when one carnivore calls another barbaric it really is a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Undoubtedly, populations of some, but certainly not all, species of whale have been significantly reduced - largely by our ancestors, not by the Japanese. Perhaps the British should now concentrate on not wiping out North Atlantic cod, rather than trying to shift the blame for their past rapaciousness.
Nicholas S., Japan In response to Nicolas S from Japan - Cultures may differ but cruelty is cruelty. If humanity is to progress we must all make changes. It is impossible to humanely kill a whale and that is what this debate is about. Not culture, history or the plight of the north sea cod!
Richard Jeffries, England
| It makes no sense ecologically or economically to continue to allow anyone to hunt whales |
I am no supporter of animal rights. However it makes no sense ecologically or economically to continue to allow anyone to hunt whales. Those nations that claim it is part of their heritage need to be shamed into realising that activities from their primitive past have no place in today's world. If that's not enough we should introduce punitive tariffs on their key exports until they close down their whaling industries for good. A few well chosen sanctions would alter these governments view of the importance of killing the largest intelligent animal on this planet.
John R Smith, UK Whaling is barbaric and unnecessary. It should be outlawed. We should be celebrating intelligent mammals on this planet, not driving them out of existence.
Nick Barnes, England
It is not legal for a farmer to kill his cows by shooting them with explosive bullets so they take hours to die. Why should it be legal to kill whales like this? If someone invented a method of killing whales quickly and they were not endangered it would be different! Please can people compare like with like.
David, London
| Lost livelihood due to a ban is a minor consideration |
During my travels last summer in Norway I was appalled to see whale meat sold at several city centre market squares. It was advertised as a delicacy. I am certain that no humans will starve if whaling was banned. Lost livelihood due to a ban is a minor consideration, and affects a numerically insignificant number of people. Defence on cultural grounds, which abound in the Nordic region, I find most hard to accept.
K, Scotland I am not against hunting at all. For example we now have so many deer in America that they are a real menace to farms and cause numerous traffic accidents. Activists make it nearly impossible to control their populations. Animal populations should be controlled. That being said, the whale populations are, in general, well below where they need to be so hunting should be banned until populations are confirmed to be well above acceptable levels. Cold and calculating I know, but that is the reality of our modern human existence.
John S., USA
One of the most amazing experiences of my life so far was whale watching off the coast of Australia. Seeing these huge creatures swimming along side the boat so gracefully and being lucky enough to experience a whale breaching right next to us will be something I will remember for life. These beautiful creatures should be protected for our children to enjoy as we have been able to do. Sometimes we don't realise how lucky we are...
Kath Williams, UK
Whaling does not produce anything that society still requires. It is not an economical or reasonable food source nor is it required any longer for cosmetic products. So why are we continuing to hunt whales? The whaling industry, and most industries that employ harvesting of ocean resources, have repeatedly demonstrated their inability to self-regulate even in the face of strong political pressure. Whaling should be banned and whalers aggressively prosecuted for transgressing.
Kevin Barr, Canada
At the rate we are going we are going to strip the oceans of life through over fishing and pollution. Whaling should be banned, and we should take a good hard second look at our fishing practices in general.
Shawn Hampton, Eugene, OR, USA When we kill these grand creatures, we kill a bit of ourselves.
John, USA
Whaling should be banned. The whaling industry has for years ignored the decline in various species throughout the world. This problem should have been dealt with decades ago with an outright ban.
Wayne Thompson, Canada
I'm absolutely fed up with reading about abhorrent and indefensible practices being sanctioned under the heading of "cultural differences". Some things are just plain wrong. Honour killing. Female circumcision. Killing whales. Doesn't matter if your "culture" has done it since the dawn of time, if it's a barbaric and revolting practice, then it should be stopped.
Edward, UK
| The whalers need rehabilitation in alternate professions |
While there are two ways of looking at it, the bottom line is there are less than a few thousand whales left world over and the species is on the verge of extinction. However, the whalers do need rehabilitation in alternate professions. Animal rights are on some levels, just like human rights!
Samyuktha, India Tell the "activists" to get a life and stop infringing on the lives and rights of other cultures. This is such clich�d celebrity cause. While these activists are trying to save the whales, they are dining on smaller fish and creatures like lobsters, shrimp, chicken and beef. An animal is an animal. Either save them all or leave people alone to pursue their own cultural traditions.
Eileen, Flushing, OH, USA
To Eileen in the USA: You suggest that people who care about what happens to whales should "get a life". I'd like to suggest that people like you should get a heart and stop being so cruel!
SB, UK
The killing of any animal for food is immoral. Greed and lack of caring have driven whale populations to the brink of extinction. The world should learn to improve the agricultural industry to feed the world with more fruits and vegetables, berries and nuts. That way, all animals will share the earth in peace.
Jim Hohenwarter, North Wales, PA USA
| There is a significant difference between whaling for survival and whaling for profit |
There is a significant difference between whaling for survival and whaling for profit. Commercial whaling should be banned. The whaling carried out by small communities is sustainable, industrial whaling is not. And for those too dim to realise the difference between whaling and killing other animals it isn't due to their beauty it is due to the fact that several species of whale are verging on extinction as far as I am aware none of the other animals mentioned are. We have already lost too many species of animal due to mankind's arrogance yet some seem perfectly happy to lose another.
Richard Bisset, UK We should boycott those countries still killing whales. Why do we let them get away with making vast amounts of money from the tourism aspect of whale watching, while in other areas of the country they are slaughtering the very creatures they are already profiting from?
Anonymous
We eat pigs, cows, sheep, deer, chicken, turkey, duck, tuna, cod, salmon etc. etc. but are disgusted by the thought of eating dogs, cats, monkeys, whales. This is not morality but cultural prejudice! Human beings are animals. Like other animals we must eat to live, and like many animals we like to eat fish and meat when we can get it. If the species can be preserved whaling should be allowed.
David, London, UK
| My father was a whaler in the 1950's in South Africa and experienced at first hand the cruelty of the 'kill' |
My father was a whaler in the 1950's in South Africa and experienced at first hand the cruelty of the 'kill'. He is ashamed of this period of his life and know is a keen supporter of 'save the whale' campaigns. And to all the pro-whaling supporters out there, would you presumably have no objection to a more advanced alien race coming down to earth once in a while and harpooning a few men, women and children for 'scientific' research or indeed to supply their restaurants back home? I think not.
Phil B, UK To Richard in Leeds (below) - the difference between killing whales and killing pigs for your ham sandwich? Simple. Pigs are plentiful and bred for slaughter. Most species of whale on the other hand are facing extinction and are not necessary for the survival of many of the countries that hunt them. Whales breed far less often than pigs and the young have to survive in the wild without protection. Most pigs live within the safety of a farm's boundaries and young have a shorter gestation period.
Gavin, Cardiff, Wales
The slaughter of farm animals in the U.K (and "hypocritical" attitudes of meat-eaters) can in no way justify the unnecessary slaughter of whales. We need to learn to respect animals and the world we share.
John, Wales
Who are we, the western world (the biggest consumers of our natural world) in a position to say to others that their way of life is wrong because of our consciences telling us that whales have feelings? I couldn't care less. The only people that should have legitimacy in saying such things are vegetarians. All others are being extremely hypocritical.
Will, UK
| Many of the valuable products that once came from whales can now be made synthetically |
Many of the valuable products that once came from whales can now be made synthetically. There is no place for the romantic image of the ruggedly individual whaler in today's economy. It is not only a cruel occupation, but an unnecessary one. Get a job on land with the rest of us!
Michael, USA While on one hand I cringe every time I think about a whale or dolphin being intentionally killed, I also have to agree that it is really no different than slaughtering cattle by the millions. I would like to see it go, but if it is to stay, it should be regulated so as not to endanger the population of any whale species.
Sam, Washington D.C., U.S.
It's all well and good for the western world to talk down whaling, but in countries like Japan it's part of their traditional culture. Children have grown up eating whale meat at school, elderly people remember it as the only way of getting protein before the days of mass-consumption. Don't stop other nations from doing something just because you don't agree with it - I'm sure many eastern Buddhists would like to see western countries ban the killing of cows, too...
Liam, UK
Inuits have been hunting whales for hundreds if not thousands of years. They depend on their meat and fat. Who are we westerners who have polluted the world caused holes in our ozone layer, and destroyed countless ecosystems all in the name of progress, to tell them whether they can fish or not? What are they supposed to do, start eating fish and chips?
Alon, Canada
| It's not the killing of whales and dolphins which bothers me - its the way in which it in done |
It's not the killing of whales and dolphins which bothers me - its the way in which it in done. As the quote in the news item on this said: "If we can imagine a horse having two or three explosive spears stuck in its stomach and being made to pull a butcher's truck through the streets of London while it pours blood into the gutter, we shall have an idea of the method of killing. "
Denise, UK Whaling should be restricted. One cannot ban any form of hunting permanently, without providing alternative food, incomes and livelihoods. I fear the hidden agenda of animal rights groups is to stop all killing of animals for any purpose.
Richard Kightley, UK
I agree that Whaling should be banned - but only if it is endangering the various species in the whale population. If the population is not endangered then we cannot justify tucking into a Sunday roast or Venison steak whilst simultaneously demanding all whale hunting end immediately...
Pete, Richmond
So it's OK to kill cows because they are farmed but not whales. It's OK to kill wild lions because they are inconvenient but not whales. It's OK to kill stray cats and dogs because nobody knows what else to do with them but not whales. It's all very well for the its-cuddly-and-cute brigade to try and tell the world that one creature should be spared but it's down to individual countries to decide for themselves. Nobody is talking about hunting endangered species into oblivion - the issue is about taking controlled numbers of a species which is far from endangered. We might as well fuss about the extinction risk of the domestic cow.
John B, UK
| If we are to eat anything, something has to die. Such is the cycle of nature |
Humans are omnivores. Meat is part of our natural diets. If we are to eat anything, something has to die. Such is the cycle of nature. To deny this is to deny one of the essential facts of our humanity. No society in history has survived on a purely vegetable diet. By the way, I've eaten whale, and it's quite tasty - much more flavourful than beef. Other than that, I fail to see the difference between eating a whale and any other animal.
R Mouck, USA As usual the only argument used is an emotional one. If they are hunted for food (and that should be sole criterion) what's the difference between that and any hunted animal?
John, UK
In reply to Andy, Reading, UK and Richard, Leeds, UK (both below) the difference between hunting whales and killing farmed cattle with bolt-guns is the method of killing. The former is slow and agonising whereas the latter is instantaneous. However, the killing of any animal for the processing of its body (for food or otherwise), is unnecessary in developed countries.
John Wingfield, UK
I am lucky enough to have seen sperm whales and dolphins off Kaikoura in New Zealand, where whale watching is the mainstay of the local economy. I believe these beautiful animals should be protected, except for limited numbers taken for their food by indigenous peoples such as the Inuit. Closer to home, British dolphin populations are collapsing due to excessive drift netting. Are we prepared to accept the consequences of banning big scale drift netting eg for bass and herring?
Stephen Hayes, England
| Let us not impose our cultural values on other countries |
Some have mentioned that humans are cruel and whales just live. Hmmm, they have obviously never watched a pod of killer whales destroy a family of seals. Let us not impose our cultural values on other countries. The Scandinavians have been farming whales for centuries and Norway has contributed more to the conservation and scientific understanding of the species than most countries. Please let us not allow wet-middle-England ignorance interfere in another country's culture.
Simon Flinn, Scotland There is no rational argument for banning sustainable catches of whales. The arguments against are based on the intellectual arrogance of overfed people.
Antonio, UK
Whales live in families, have language and even their songs show cultural diversity. Female whales go through menopause and can help raise the pod's young. Are these beasts that we can just harpoon their sensitive flesh? To respond to the arguments of cultural imperialism and the rights of indigenous people, do not bleat on about these things. That is unless you believe that cannibals be allowed to continue their traditions. I'm sure a harpoon can be found for you to assist with this tradition...
Helen, Hong Kong, ex-UK
How can a yearly catch of fewer than 38 whales be called anything else but scientific? Iceland's catch last year has given us much clearer idea about what whales eat. This is important to know if we are going to manage our marine resources responsibly and scientifically, if only to estimate next year's cod and herring catch.
Jon Gudnason, Iceland
I think that a worldwide ban on whaling is long over due. The exception being indigenous peoples who rely on whale meat for subsistence.
Pauline Groh, USA
Why can't whaling be carried out subject to agreed quotas as with production of other resources that need to be managed carefully?
ML, England
| It is important to find other ways of profit for this industry |
Whaling is a profitable business. However lawmakers have banned industries that harm endangered animals in the past. It is important to find other ways of profit for this industry. For example - eco-tourism.
Jose Lonsdale, Bolivia Whaling should be banned. The great conservationist Sir Peter Scott felt that killing these intelligent creatures was appalling. There are no arguments either economic, cultural or based on our needs for resource use that justify whaling.
John Watkin, USA
To say that killing animals is inhumane is an oxymoron. Animals are not human. That being said, yes this practice should be banned. Simply because we need to protect our resources, and that includes animals. We all have a place in our ecosystem and the thought of killing off any part of it will mean a drastic change. Eventually we will pay with our lives for what we have done. One way or another.
Margaret, Portland, USA
Most of the postings here objecting to whale hunting seem to focus on the idea that whales are cute. Perhaps we ought to develop a slightly less silly attitude towards hunting.
Graeme Phillips, Berlin, Germany
I wonder how many of those writing here in support of whaling have ever witnessed the killing of a whale, or smelled a factory ship. The point about abattoirs is fatuous. Two wrongs don't make a right.
Andrew, Croydon, UK
With the number of pollutants we pump into our oceans it won't be too long before all sea dwelling species are wiped out anyway. Humans never learn...do we? I was always led to believe that one of the reasons humans were so unique was because we have something called a conscience - obviously not evident in some.
Kerrie, Channel Islands
'A way of life', 'livelihoods would be lost', 'it's a tradition' - these are all poor excuses. Whale boats would, and do in some places, make a lot more money taking people to whale watch rather than kill.
P Pickles, England
Iceland's economy is about 70% dependent on fishing and whaling. Especially in the east of the island, where people are fleeing en masse to Reykjavik and abroad. Population decline and the loss of local industry is a major problem. Although I am a vegetarian and animal activist, I feel that the people of this small and isolated country have a right to keep their economy going, if they follow international regulations.
Catherine, Finland/USA
| The welfare of those who find their trade in hunting is important |
All inhumane acts against animals, and humans for that matter, should cease immediately. But I also agree that the welfare of those who find their trade in hunting is important. Other industry training needs to be provided to these people by either government programmes or the animal welfare organisations that are criticizing the inhumane actions.
Jocelyn, USA How many of you do-gooders are willing to volunteer your incomes to provide for the welfare of the northern peoples who rely on whales for their diets and/or livelihoods?
Jeremy, Canada
There are some very valid arguments here, for and against. The Inuit do use whale as a staple in their diet but they kill it for need....not for want. Countries such as Japan, Iceland and Norway hunt the whales because the demand is there and money overcomes morality almost every time. Sad.
Mike, USA
Whales are in danger of extinction. Whale products are all unnecessary or replaceable. Where is the justification to allow these barbaric remnants of darker times go on killing these intelligent and sensible animals?
Ricardo, Brazil
What exactly is the difference between hunting whales and killing farmed cattle with bolt-guns? Are some mammals more equal than others?
Andy, Reading, UK
Yes, and now! Anyone who has seen groups of whales will realise that these animals think: they have family groups, and protect each other. The only difference between whales and humans is that we've evolved to be cruel, they just live. Whaling should be banned immediately.
Sue Hudson, London, UK
We do seem to have this vein moral concept that only the beautiful and graceful species should be protected. What about the poor krill eaten by them. Surely we should protect the greater number of living things!.
Phillip Ellis, UK
Couldn't we get ourselves together and boycott products and services from whaling countries. Virtually the whole population seem to be united against whaling, if everyone backed this up with a boycott it would soon stop.
Christian Tiburtius, Reading UK
Let's not forget that for the whalers this is probably the only job they know. Alternatives need to be given for these people and their families, that they still have livelihoods. Simply saying it's wrong is not enough.
Jack, England
| We do not know the impact of our actions, and I do not want to find out |
Should whaling be banned? I can't imagine anyone ever saying no. We should know better than to destroy such beautiful harmless creatures who are a blessing to this planet. In the past we may have had the choice of starve or kill, but this is no longer the case. Whaling is a big part of esoteric cultures for "medicinal" purposes. Huh! Aphrodisiacs are not medicines, they are compliments to the ego. Let's get over ourselves and leave these creatures alone. We do not know the impact of our actions, and I do not want to find out.
Mark S, London, UK As a vegetarian, I am of course against the killing of whales. However, it always amuses me that people are in uproar at the thought of killing whales, and then happily tuck into their ham sandwiches. What's the difference?
Richard, Leeds, UK
I am a merchant seaman, and have long experience of the wonder and utter strangeness of encounters with cetaceans. The killing should be ended - not because of petty concerns about the methods, but because the act itself is wrong. It's like trawling and purse-net seining. If flying saucers came and did to the land what we routinely do the oceans it would mean all-out nuclear war. We are very lucky that the marine inhabitants we share the planet with are so peaceable!
Bob Harvey, Lincs, UK
Whaling is a traditional way of life in the countries in which it is practised. Clearly one would wish that this activity is carried on in a way that minimises cruelty and doesn't threaten the survival of species. But calls to ban whaling altogether smack of cultural imperialism.
Neil, Surrey, UK
If we ever needed the products of whaling, we do not now. There is a difference between killing cows and sheep, which have been bred and modified, and destroying something that lives free and on such an awesome scale, and which is, frankly, more impressive than any human. They are intelligent, too. So what if whaling is traditional in some cultures? So is slavery; so was immolating widows, but being "traditional" didn't make it right.
S Pugh, Wales
I am utterly appalled that we as humans should even think of killing such beautiful animals as whales and dolphins they have so much to teach us but we are so ignorant to ignore. How can we call ourselves civilised when man can do such atrocities to animals whose only crime is to love us? Many people take great joy in watching a first sight of a whale or dolphin and what a sad world if they should cease to exist. I cried when I read this report such is my strong feelings
Lyndsay Jackman Watchet, Somerset It's a shame that people do not know the facts about whale populations and only react with 'bambi-emotions'. Whaling should be allowed to continue if the countries want to do it, f only because the woolly-sock-brigade do not have the right to decide what other peoples do. The Inuit must have the right to continue because it is part of their traditional food source. The Greens must never get the right to decide what indigenous people may or my not eat.
Brian, Spain
Killing whales for "scientific research"? Researching what? How many whales can be scientifically killed in a year? These countries are lying and should be stopped. This is the 21st century. Let's move on from such barbaric practices. If we can't stop treating our fellow creatures this way, how can we change the way we treat our fellow humans?
Ashley, Berkshire, UK
If one accepts that Minke whale populations are healthy, then I do not understand what the fundamental difference is in killing a whale or a cow for commercial reasons. Indeed the whale has had a more "humane" existence than most animals reared for slaughter. Transporting livestock for days throughout Europe is far more barbaric. Unfortunately cows don't sing and are less cute, so all the emotion is directed to whales.
J�rg , Heidelberg, Germany Whales, same as sardines, are part of the resources available to mankind to utilise in a sustainable and responsible way. True environmentalists are concerned with the survival of the species in the long term, and not the perceived emotional trauma of individual specimens. Unfortunately, the environmental debate are being tainted by the cheap emotional deluge that comes from animal welfare campaigners, who wants to enforce their particular world view, ideology and religion on the rest of the world.
Jaco, Sandton, South Africa
When asked what he thought about Western civilisation, Gandhi said, 'it would be a good idea.' While human affairs are determined by economics, then ethics and 'spiritual' ideals will be at best subverted, and at worst ignored. We all know whaling is wrong, as is hunting and almost all politics, but it carries on because the system is bigger than the people who make it up. There is also the factor that many people's ethics and ideals are based on economic gain and power, but that is almost too depressing to mention.
Michael Rosefield, Manchester, UK
I wonder if those consumers of whale (and dolphin, porpoise) meat are aware that the meat contains high levels of mercury, in fact many times the recommended maximum exposure limits. A fraction of a teaspoonful of whale liver, for example, contains more than the maximum mercury intake for a week.
Julian Armstrong, Perth, Australia
Everyone should check out an abattoir sometime. Or the deleterious environmental practices of producing so-called 'alternatives'. The world is full of hypocrisy, cultural imperialism and grey zones. Whaling is not black and white. It is true that rich Westerners eating hamburgers don't need whales. It is also true that there are small coastal communities for whom the whale is the only source of nutrition.
Curtis Walker, New Zealand
What makes me angry, is the furore that surrounds this issue. Why not the same degree of controversy over mousetraps for example? Many mice fail to die instantaneously and bleed to death over night. What right have people to conclude that a whale's life is more precious than a mouse? Is it because the whale is considered beautiful? Yes it is. This smacks of hypocrisy. If these people are so angered about the loss of life of a whale, they should be equally outraged at the loss of any animal's life. They cannot pick and choose their feelings according to their perception of the respective animal's attractiveness.
Marc Allen, London, England.
Considering that the most damage from pollution comes from effluent and oceanic dumping, it's a wonder sea mammals exist at all to date much less compounding the pressure with whaling. Dolphin and whale deaths from commercial fishing alone have hamstrung their survival chances past this decade. Cruelty can be both immediate and lingering so any effort to stem the tide on any front is greatly needed.
Leonard Silberman, Montreal, Canada
Whaling will continue as long as there's money to be made in it. So all you have to do is make whaling uneconomical. There are a variety of ways of doing this: an import ban, import duty, boycott of whaling countries products. The real problem is the lack of will to do it.
Roly, West Midlands
There is no scientific reason for killing these beautiful and intelligent creatures. The only reason Japan, Norway and Iceland continue whaling is for pure commercial reasons, everyone knows it. In these supposed enlightened times, this barbaric practice should cease now.
Seymour Yeates, Shanklin, Isle of Wight Whaling should have been totally outlawed years ago. It is an inhumane way for supposed civilised beings to carry on. If people were killed in this way on annual basis (like the "whaling season") then the outcry would be heard in outer space. Just because whales do not walk about on the land and are unable to communicate in the same way as we "civilised" beings do does not make them any less intelligent or immune to pain. They have feelings just like us.
I find it very distressing that we still behave like barbarians and have to kill everything we do not understand because it is different to us. Everything is on Earth for a reason, if we get rid of everything except ourselves we will live on a wasteland with nothing of any importance to tend.
Denise Wilden, Maidenhead UK
The worst element of whale slaughter is that Japan, Norway and Iceland are supposedly some of the most "civilised" countries in the world. How they can allow this to continue in the name of scientific research is beyond belief. One can only hope that Whalewatch is able to do what the toothless IWC has failed to do over the last half century.
Andrew Kerry-Bedell, Haywards Heath, Sussex
There can be no justification for allowing commercial whaling in the 21st century. We do not need whale products as everything can be sourced from alternative resources.
Philip Sampson, Norwich
The three countries that continue whaling should face trade sanctions until they cease. They use "cultural" reasons to justify killing these animals, but the world has moved on and it is now an unacceptable position - one which needs to be forcefully rejected on an international level.
Leon Pfeifer, London/Australia
Surely the decline in the whale population is enough to stop whaling let alone the cruelty involved. I am always writing to my local MP to stop this barbaric act.
Susan Keuls, Exeter, Devon I am disgusted that countries continue to kill whales, do we not want our grandchildren to know what whales are and see the beauty of them, or would we rather that they go to a museum to see what they were like?
Tracy Hyde, Reading
How any form of killing a whale can be considered humane I have no idea. Why anyone would want to kill these beautiful creatures anyway is beyond belief. Many of them are threatened species and should be left alone.
Sarah, UK
It's a disgrace that so called 'civilised countries' would cite scientific research for the killing of whales - and get away with it, how many whales do they need? Do they really think we are that stupid not to know that it is a very feeble cover. More importantly what gives the IWC the right to impose 'rules' for killing - it should be banned immediately.
Robert, Edinburgh
I agree entirely that whaling should be stopped immediately. Killing whales for "scientific research" is a loop hole that should be closed down. In this day and age to inflict such torture and pain on these beautiful animals is totally unacceptable. I don't know how people can just sit back and let this happen. We must take action to protect these whales and stop the suffering.
Belinda, Surrey
It's wrong whether it is for scientific research or for food. It's time some people stop this by force! Before one day we wake up to a world without these wonderfully creatures.
Henry, UK
It's about time the many nations against whaling got really tough with the likes of Japan and Norway and stopped this barbaric practice. It's time they realised how cruel they are. Put them under global economic pressure or just plain shame them into ceasing by running a massive worldwide PR campaign against them.
Tony, Cardiff, Wales, UK
Whales are the owners of the biggest brains on the planet, and sperm whales have the biggest brains that have ever existed on Earth averaging 9 kilos, or about six times the size of ours. We have a great deal to learn from these extraordinary creatures and it may well be that they are much more sensitive and intelligent than we presently realize. We know little about their communication and less about their experience. Whaling must stop without delay.
Robin Prior, Brighton UK
Save the whales! Humans no longer depend on whaling products for survival.
Elizabeth van Rijssen, Cape Town, South Africa
Whaling must end. I thought we had stopped this horrific slaughter in the late 1980s, but it goes on. Thinking of it makes me so angry and gives me a nauseous feeling.
Robert Weir, Manchester, UK
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