South Korea has just announced that it is going to recommence whaling after a 26 year moratorium, in its own waters.

http://blogs.wsj.com/korearealtime/2012/07/05/south-koreas-whaling-declaration-sparks-outcry/

This has sparked an international outcry.

Julia Gillard said:

“I’m very disappointed by this announcement by South Korea,”

“We are completely opposed to whaling, there’s no excuse for scientific whaling.”

Tony Abbott expressed similar sentiments.

But is this really something that Australia or the international community should be concerned about?

It seems to me that once again we’ve got our priorities in a pickle. If Gillard, Abbott and many others around the world are really environmentally conscious, then they shouldn’t be too worried about a bit of whaling conducted by Korea in its own maritime territory, but should be very concerned about things like population growth, peak oil and global sustainability instead...... all of which they pay very little if any attention to!

I expect that most respondents here will concur with Gillard and denounce this new whaling program, yes?

Ludy,

It will be no surprise to you that there are some people in Australia that would not agree with Gillard on any subject, under any circumstances at any time, except “let’s have an election”.

As far as whaling is concerned the problem as always, has been created by prohibition. If you want to increase the appeal of something, if you want to make it more valuable to some and if you want to create a reaction, all you have to do is a prohibition.

Some cultures have values, historical cuisine and preferences that may be different to ours. All we have to do is tell them that regardless of their sovereign rights that must stop eating whale meat.

It won’t be long before the UN is influenced by other cultures to extent that you will be told you can’t have a beer, eat meat or have prawns for Christmas lunch.

What it is we seek to avoid we create. The anti-thingies of this world need to get a life and mind their freekin’ business

This is a case of a 'little boy' South Korea, wanting to be seen as a 'big man'. Its not about whales, its more about being seen on the world stage, wanting something, they may 'compromise' in the end if they get something in return.

"but(we) should be very concerned about things like population growth, peak oil and global sustainability instead...... all of which they(we) pay very little if any attention to!"
This is true ludwig, but it should not be an excuse to cop out with "then they (we) shouldn’t be too worried about a bit of whaling conducted by Korea in its own maritime territory,"

I am for whaling, by Korea or anyone else.

It is a food resourse that should be used as long as it is sustainable.

What about the poor little krill? Whales devour millions of them, eaten alive, and nobody cares. Its a bit like people wanting to protect Kangaroos because they are big and easily seen, but never give a thought to the small mansupials that are difficult to see.

There are plenty of other fish species that need protection.

Ludwig is right, reduce the world people population and you cut down on food demand.

"It is a food resourse that should be used as long as it is sustainable."
Everything on the planet is merely put here for mans exploitation. How about a bit of self regulation, the whalers can tell us when enough is enough.
"What about the poor little krill?" What about the poor little krill. Is this a joke comment or a total misunderstanding of ecology.
"There are plenty of other fish species that need protection." What has that got to do with protecting whales? By the way there are a hand full of Siberian tigers left another food resource that needs exploiting.

<< It is a food resourse that should be used as long as it is sustainable. >>

Agreed Banjo. But it is not the total bottom line.

Humans have been a food resource for other humans in days gone by. They could be harvested sustainably, but of course the very thought is simply preposterous. Similarly, the thought of sustainably harvesting koalas, lions, elephants and many other animals is unthinkable.

But I would not consider whales to be among these. The more abundant and ecologically secure species such as the minke whale, that is. Not including the rarer ones.