The causes and effects of Whale Hunting

Introduction

Whale hunting also known as whaling refers to hunting whales with an intention of getting meat and oil.  Whaling is an ancient tradition dating back to as early as 3000BC.  Since whales live in water, the people who practice whaling are those who live along the coastal towns.  By the 20th century, whaling had blossomed into an industrial production as a result of high demand.  This was because there was a demand for oil, meat and margarine that were produced from whales.

The rises in demand of whales also lead to the formation of International Whaling Commission to handle the crisis of demand against production.  By 1986, the commission had to ban internationally the trading in whales as the world faced a threat of endangering the species.  This was in a bid to allow the stock of whales to rise in the waters.  Today, some countries are lobbying for the ban on whaling to be lifted on grounds that the stocks are well replenished.

However, the anti-whaling countries have strongly opposed these moves arguing that whales still face a threat of extinction if whaling is allowed, but most importantly, the environmentalists have argued that besides whales being endangered species, harvesting them is an immoral practice, and so should any of these countries now oppose whaling, only Iceland, Japan and Norway will continue to hunt whales (James. 2006).

Thesis

Whale hunting as a practice has gone on for many years. However, despite this continuity the practice has been rocked by one too many controversies with a good number supporting the practice and yet another whole divide opposing the practice. Whale hunting has various causes and effects some of which are positive while others are negative (James. 2006).

Causes of Whale Hunting

One of the major causes of whale hunting is the demand for its products. Whales produce both oil and meat. In addition, some of the products that a whale gives are used in the manufacture of perfumes and other items that are used by human beings. It is for this reason that whaling has become common as people are in search of the valuable products that come from whales (Carrick. 1996).

Another cause of whaling is the high amounts of money that is fetched from the practice. Whales are only found in oceans and other large water bodies. This means that the only people who are able to access whales are the people living around such water bodies. Due to this sort of monopoly that people living around the oceans have, they tend to get quite a fortune from the sale of products that are obtained from whales. This makes the practice quite common (Nicoley & Johnsen 1982).

Scientifically, whaling has been said to be used as a method of collecting statistical data in order to analyze the rate at which whales reproduce. This argument has been used for a long time especially by scientists although in the recent years, it has met strong opposition from those who are dedicated to preserve the lives of whales. To other people, whale hunting is done as a form of business. Just like fishing, most people have now taken whale hunting to be a trade and they carry it out with an aim of making profits. To others it is a form of leisure whereby they do it for fun (Carrick. 1996).

With an array of reasons as to why people practice whale hunting, there have been a number of controversies surrounding the same. Even with the ban of whale hunting, some countries are still agitating that the ban should be lifted and that whaling should be commercialized just as it was previously. However there is quite a large group of people the world over who are totally opposed to whale hunting citing negative effects both on the environment and even on the whales (Nicoley & Johnsen 1982).

Effects of Whale Hunting

Whaling is a form of cruelty. Every living thing, both human beings and animals have a right to be treated fairly and not to be subjected to any form of cruelty. Looking at the various methods that are used to kill the whales, we realize that the whales are subjected to such great cruelty and this overrides their rights as living things (Japan Whaling Association. 1986).

Whaling also makes whales an endangered species. An endangered species is one that is at the risk of becoming extinct. If whaling was to be allowed to continue, it would be only a matter of time before we have no more whales in our water bodies. Ever since the practice began back in the 1800s, there has been a considerable reduction in the number of whales in our water bodies. It is therefore important that we protect our whales from hunting if we are to have them for longer (Charles. 2008).

Whaling has also been termed by environmentalists as a form of pollution. Most of the methods used to kill the whales, pollute the water bodies and this poses danger to other living animals that are in the water bodies. In addition, this poses risks to human beings who also use that water for their basic needs (Charles. 2008).

Benefits

Regardless of the various negative effects that have been associated with whale hunting, some countries still continue with the practice even though the ban against the practice is yet to be lifted. The countries that have kept up the practice have argued that there are many benefits that are derived from whale hunting. Some of these benefits include the various products which are of benefits to human beings like cosmetics and oils. Whales are also a major source of fuels like the oil used in lamps.

The most obvious benefit is meat which is popular among many tourist destinations. Countries supporting this practice also argue that whaling has provided employment to many people and thus has contributed to the growth of the economy. Other countries especially Japan has cited that whaling is part and puzzle of their culture and that they cannot possibly do away with this practice as it would threaten to dismantle their culture (Japan Whaling Association. 1986).

Conclusion

Whaling has been practiced for many years now despite the controversies that surround the practice. Although there are benefits that are attributed to the practice, we must always look at the other side of the coin. If whaling is allowed to continue, in less than 10 years period, we shall not have a single whale in our water bodies. We must learn to conserve the environment by preserving what nature provides. In light of the causes and effects of whaling, the ban on whaling should not be lifted for the interests of all people.

Reference List

1. Carrick, C. (1996). Whaling Days, New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
2. Charles, B. (2008). Whaling, New York: Kessinger Publishing, LLC.
3. James, E.  (2006). Whales, Whaling and ocean ecosystems. California: University of California Press.
4. Japan Whaling Association. (1986). The other side of coin, Japan: Japan Whaling Association.
5. Nicoley, J. & Johnsen, A. (1982). The history of modern whaling. California: University of California Press.