I use to watch Paul Watson and his crew in the Discovery Channel disrupt Japanese whaling ships near the Arctic Sea. My first impression of watching the film was how annoying and frustrating it must have been for the Japanese. It made me feel that Paul Watson is overdoing it and I thought he might get into a lot of trouble for the possible damages he may have done. After reading this article I felt both sorry and quite glad he was finally placed on the 'wanted list of INTERPOL'. He had an objective in life and he pursued it, but it also lead to his downfall.
Nevertheless, let's consider. Japan, along with Iceland allows whaling which often spark a lot of controversies. But whaling to them is a long time tradition that cannot be ruled out from their society. It is not just research, it is a delicacy.
Now this confuses me, if the distribution of whales across the world crosses all ocean fronts in large numbers and only a handful (less than ten) nations legalise whaling, how will banning whaling forever make a huge difference?
Likewise during the Second World War, Japan surrendered to the United States and many war criminals were charged. This included the Emperor of Japan during that time (Hirohito). However, the Japanese people from children to the elderly did not want the United States to 'charge' their 'living God' of war crimes. In the end, he was made diplomatically immune of all charges. As such, does Japan see whaling as an important practice on par with ensuring their Emperor remains on the throne forever? Is a culture or practice considered an opposite worth going against if its concepts are unfamiliar or too different for toleration? Is it perception that dictates everything about social activity?
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Bella
1/12/2013 05:47:06 pm
I saw one video online how Japanese slaughter dolphins for meat. It was so cruel how they kill those poor animals. I think there should be a concern person to watch over the sea to protect sea animals, especially whales and dolphins.
With the injunction ruled by U.S district court to Paul Watson. I think they should investigate more about the case. Though he violated the law of the sea but I think what he did was perfect. To protect the animals not to become endangered.
Now that Paul Watson has resigned us president and executive director of the conservation society in the United States and as president of the society in Australia who will continue his legacy to protect the whales? I think some other marine organisation should look into the unwanted whaling in the ocean.
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