What inspires you?
"I believe we all have a moral obligation to defend our eco-systems from diminishment and destruction and that we owe future generations the right to a healthy and diverse environment. We have no right to rob them of the rich treasures that this planet contains just to satisfy our selfish material desires. What inspires me is the beauty and the magnificence of Planet Earth and especially our oceans"
-Sea Shepherd Conservation founder Paul Watson
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The Whale issue: Defend, debate, decide...
Feb 22, 2011
Intelligence. Intellectual, emotional, social or technological. There are several definable ways we can attribute intelligence to any living being. Brain size and cognitive abilities, or ways in which communication is displayed are all effective forms of intelligence.
As humans we have come to assimilate our brain power and potential with technology.We have evolved, adapted and progressed with our changing world in tight conjunction with science. Within this development, monumental lessons have been learned and positive improvements made. In the name of research, we have left the door wide open for studying, dissecting, and bringing about changes to the global environment. It would seem the more we know and understand about our surroundings, the more we want to acquire from them. And in the midst of this change, the animal world has been greatly affected.
Obviously, I don't need to point out the extent with which the oceans have been affected by humans, as there a countless ways we have changed and continue to alter the state of our blue planet.
A subject closer to my heart, and one which is currently on the world stage is that of whaling. The latter has been part of our history for thousands of years, even expressed ironically through tales of an angry "Moby Dick", a Sperm whale desperately asserting his determination to defeat ignorant fishermen. This may conjure up images of a feisty mammal displaying strength and an undeniable understanding of the actions taken against it. Or perhaps we begin to realize how far back we can actually remember whaling as being part of our reality.
Today, whaling is a much debated practice, and one which is kept legal in only a few
remaining countries. The practice itself has seen massive changes and has been reduced in almost its entirety. Although its history is spread across the globe, today only Iceland, Norway and Japan are still openly hunting whales. Despite the enactment of the moratorium on whaling established by the IWC (International Whaling Commission) in 1986, these three countries have since killed over 25,000 whales in the name of research and commercial gain.
Japan, probably the most publicly shunned for its whaling practices, carries out a yearly target of hunting roughly 95 Minke whales and 50 Fin whales in the name of "scientific research". Moreover, the Japanese fleet enters the "Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary" to attack these defenseless animals, an area where whales are meant to be safe. Under the Institute of Cetacean research, Japan has been able to justify whaling as being essential in order to "establish management regimes for the sustainable use of whale resources". Not surprising that the world has responded with criticism, opposition and action against this notion, especially since last year Japan killed 506 Minke whales and are well known to facilitate "pirate whaling" around the world.
In my opinion, despite the "research" being conducted on these whales, the prominent goal of hunting whales is, and has always been, for commercial gain. We know all too well to never underestimate the power of a dollar, even if its cleverly disguised in the form of science. 
"Lethal research" on multiple species of whales does provide a deeper look into the biology of their internal organs, stomach contents, and the animals as a whole. But since when does animal research require us to organize hunting fleets, establish killing quotas, and attack vulnerable populations of highly intelligent beings? According to the Japanese, there is no other way to attain proper "population and ecosystem modeling". I think there is. Rather than tip toe around the issue at hand, we deserve to know and understand the true nature of Japanese whaling. At the root of their culture is tradition, and the Japanese continue to uphold that the IWC and the world should "acknowledge the socio-economic and cultural needs of the Japanese whaling communities and the distress to these communities which has resulted in the cessation of Minke whaling." I find this hard to swallow. Have communities, populations and entire countries not had to evolve and adapt with the changing nature of the living world? We cannot sustainably reap what we sow forever. This may prove to be a lesson some will learn all too late.
One man who has always reacted strongly to whaling and all exploitative actions taken against marine animals is Paul Watson. This name may ring a bell, as it is inextricably tied to the "Sea Shepherd Conservation society". Since its creation in 1977, Paul and his organization have upheld their goal to "intervene and uphold international conservation regulations protecting marine wildlife". While Sea Shepherd defends multiple species of animals, I believe protecting whales remain closest to Mr.Watson's heart as well. His team has proved to be the "most aggressive and most successful whale saving organization in the world".
Supported by the fact that since 2002 Sea Shepherd has saved over 1800 whales intended for Japanese whale "research", it becomes evident that this organization is the only one enforcing conservation regulations in the ocean. By actually taking his team of volunteers into the "Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary" during every Japanese whaling season, they are effecting change. Passion for a cause, belief in its importance, and a genuine desire to protect an animal's right to live has given this society wings to fly into a new realm of environmental defense.
Although criticized for his aggressive tactics, Mr.Watson has decided to base his efforts on revolutionary action rather than be defeated by bureaucratic, socio-economic and political restraints. Guided by the United Nations World Charter for Nature, Sea Shepherd has kept the issue of whaling in the spotlight for over 30 years, and their accomplishments are indisputable.
Truly efficient tactics for proving a point, standing up for your beliefs, and defending a cause have always entailed a certain degree of violence, struggle and incessant determination. Wars, revolution and technological transformations have all led to humans pushing the boundaries of intelligence and the unknown. Whether tied up in tradition and culture, or politics and money, practices like whaling must ignite in us a need to think critically. And act accordingly. Use our intellectual intelligence while nurturing our emotional one. Relate to animals and the environment, and connect the dots that lead to ancient mammals like whales being hauntingly beautiful reflections of ourselves.
In the presence of whales, there is no doubting they harbor an acute emotional understanding, complex intelligence and highly developed form of language. Now if we humans could only try to open our hearts and minds to communicate beyond the confines of science, perhaps a bolder form of intelligence would flourish. And we could then allow change and evolution to occur hand in hand with a surviving natural world.
MJ Arsenault
For more information on Sea Sheaperd Conservation Society please refer to their website: http://www.seashepherd.org/
All information regarding the Japanese Institute of Cetacean Research included in this blog can be found on their homepage @ http://www.icrwhale.org/eng-index.htm
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