Worldwide Anti-Whaling Day - November 5, 2010

From the Worldwide Anti-Whaling Day website, a call to all concerned citizens:

About whaling:

Whaling is the hunting of whales mainly for meat and oil.  Its earliest forms date from at least 3,000 BC.  Various coastal communities have long histories of sustenance from whaling and harvesting beached whales.  Industrial whaling emerged with organized fleets in the 17th century; competitive national whaling industries in the 18th and 19th centuries; and the introduction of factory ships along with the concept of whale harvesting in the first half of the 20th century.

As technology increased and demand for the seemingly vast resources remained high, catches far exceeded the carrying capacity of whale stocks. In the late 1930s, more than 50,000 whales were killed annually, and by the middle of the century whale stocks were not being replenished.  In 1986 the International Whaling Commission (IWC) banned commercial whaling so that stocks might recover.

While the moratorium has been successful in averting the extinction of whale species due to overhunting, contemporary whaling is subject to intense debate.  Pro-whaling countries wish to lift the ban on stocks they believe have recovered sufficiently to sustain limited hunting.  Anti-whaling countries and environmental groups contend that those stocks remain vulnerable and that whaling is immoral and should remain banned.

When the commercial whaling moratorium was introduced by the IWC in 1982, Japan lodged an official objection. However, in response to U.S. threats to cut Japan's fishing quota in U.S. territorial waters under the terms of the Packwood-Magnuson Amendment, Japan withdrew its objection in 1987.  According to the BBC, America went back on this promise, effectively destroying the deal. Since Japan could not resume commercial whaling, it began whaling on a scientific-research basis. Groups dispute the Japanese claim of research "as a disguise for commercial whaling."

The stated purpose of the research program is to establish the size and dynamics of whale populations.  The Japanese government wishes to resume whaling in a sustainable manner under the oversight of the IWC, both for whale products, (meat, etc.), and to help preserve fishing resources by culling whales.  Anti-whaling organizations claim that the research program is a front for commercial whaling, that the sample size is needlessly large and that equivalent information can be obtained by non-lethal means, for example by studying samples of whale tissue (such as skin).  The Japanese government sponsored Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR), which conducts the research, disagrees, stating that the information obtainable from tissue samples is insufficient and that the sample size is necessary in order to be representative.

Around 950 long-finned pilot whales are caught annually in the Danish controlled Faroe Islands, mainly during the summer.  Occasionally, other species are hunted as well, such as the northern bottlenose whale and Atlantic white-sided dolphin. The hunt is known as the Grindadráp. Faroese whaling is regulated by Faroese authorities but not by the IWC, which does not regulate the catching of small cetaceans. Most Faroese consider the hunt an important part of their culture and history, and arguments about the topic raise strong emotions.  Animal-rights groups criticize the hunt as being cruel and unnecessary.  Hunters claim that most journalists lack knowledge of the methods used to capture and kill the whales, or of the hunt's economic significance.

Japan's scientific whaling program is controversial in anti-whaling countries.  Countries opposed to whaling have passed non-binding resolutions in the IWC urging Japan to stop the program.  Japan claims that whale stocks for some species are sufficiently large to sustain commercial hunting and blame filibustering by the anti-whaling side for the continuation of scientific whaling.

About the protests:

The idea of the Anti-Whaling Day protests is the result of an American’s indignation with the relentless massacre of whales. This heinous act is perpetrated by several countries, primarily Japan, who indiscriminately slaughter whales in sanctuaries and in territorial waters of countries such as Australia, New Zealand and around the Antarctic. 

In June this year, in Morocco, during the IWC meeting, Japan, Norway and Iceland lobbied for the lifting of the whaling moratorium, which was denied. Despite the IWC’s decision, Japan continues to massacre whales under the banner of “scientific research," in spite of not having published its “research" in any internationally recognized scientific journal. November 5, 2010 is now the international demonstration day against whaling because it is when the Japanese officially open their whaling season.

Through the creation of a group on Facebook, the initial idea of a small localized protest in Philadelphia turned into a worldwide event, with groups being formed in several countries ranging from the USA to New Zealand, and from Portugal to Japan.  Each country is free to organize its own peaceful protests while always following the format outlined by headquarters located in Philadelphia, PA.
Below are some examples of what is being organized worldwide on Facebook:

“Let it be known that enforcement by the IWC needs to take place in the Southern Ocean as well as the Faeroe Islands.  Whaling for meat, culture, or fun is not acceptable.
Our main objective is to raise awareness about the Japanese Whaling in the Southern Ocean Sanctuary.  The Japanese whaling vessels may use an LRAD on their ships, but we can use our voices and our numbers to tell them what they are doing is WRONG. Support the cause, join the fight, and spread awareness.”

The idea is that each country protests peacefully, yet being free to add its cultural and local “flavors" to their protests, capitalizing on exposure in their local media; TV, newspaper, radio, and other means of communication, with the objective of generating maximum exposure of the message and awareness of what is actually happening in regard to whaling.

Many organizers are choosing to peacefully parade through key areas of their cities, demonstrating in front of Japanese embassies, consulates or official delegations.  In Wellington, New Zealand, demonstrations will parade through the Japanese Embassy and culminate in front of the Parliament building where a petition will be given to a government representative.

So come out and help stop this cruelty and injustice. This is another world-wide event, people, so find a protest in your city and go, go, go!!!

For the Pittsburgh protest, it will be held at the fountain at Point State Park on November 5, 2010 from 4:00pm until 6:30pm. Hope to see you there!