Japanese Whale Hunters Kill 122 Pregnant Minke Whales

But it's OK because it's research.


In total 333 Minke Whales were killed (Murdered) as part of Japans Antarctic summer "field survey" , because you've got to kill Whales in order to study them.

The country's New Scientific Whale Research Program in the Antarctic Ocean (NEWREP-A) sent a report to the IWC detailing the 333 minkes caught, 152 male and 181 female, during its "third biological field survey" in the area.

Japan cut down its catch by two-thirds under its new research plan, and has stuck to taking about 330 whales each year. The data shows that in the 2017/18 hunt, 122 of the female minkes captured were pregnant, while 61 of the males and 53 of the females were not yet adults. After a few weeks of surveys, the team caught all the whales within just 12 weeks before setting off back to Japan.

The whale meat is then sold to be eaten.
www.bbc.co.uk...

It's sad that Japan hides behind science to continue its barbaric practices.

I don't think it counts as murder since the meat was eaten.

Too bad that doesn't count for people too.

a reply to: gortex

Man, Ive always had a problem with their obcene level of whale harvesting. I agree, its pretty sad to see them hide behind a scientific study to avoid scrutiny.

I abhor whaling. Alongside Japan, are the so-called "advanced" and "enlightened" nations of Norway and Iceland.

originally posted by: watchitburn
I don't think it counts as murder since the meat was eaten.

Too bad that doesn't count for people too.

Just think soylent green. It's coming, if it isn't already here. I mean seriously, where do 2 million people disappear every year? I wonder if those mama, papa and teen burgers really are indicative of their source?

Cheers - Dave

originally posted by: bobs_uruncleJust think soylent green.

coincidentally i re-watched this last night for the first time in ages. still a great movie but yes, while watching i couldn't help feeling that it was prophetic. on topic, i am saddened by the persistence of whaling. of course the 'scientific research' justification is utter BS. have we learned nothing?

a reply to: gortex

Ah, yes, their "research".

They'll continue "researching" until there aren't any left.

a reply to: seagull

Important flavour variations have been noted between harvests, be fair!

The species seems to be thriving.

Perhaps they should have used the conservation excuse instead of the learning excuse.

I will play devils advocate here. How would our feel if some foreigners tried to tell you what you can and can’t eat? What if a group of militant vegans came into power and took away beef, chicken and other staples from your diet?

My point is we should look at this from their point of view and see how absurd it is for us to tell them they can no longer eat what they want.

I don’t hate whales, but I do hate forcing my beliefs on others.

The libertarian in me says leave them alone.

originally posted by: Metallicus
I will play devils advocate here. How would our feel if some foreigners tried to tell you what you can and can’t eat? What if a group of militant vegans came into power and took away beef, chicken and other staples from your diet?

My point is we should look at this from their point of view and see how absurd it is for us to tell them they can no longer eat what they want.

I don’t hate whales, but I do hate forcing my beliefs on others.

The libertarian in me says leave them alone.

I eat whale meat and I got to say the the whale fillets are really tasty with rice. The meat itself is pinkish .
And yes, I agree with you. Japanese people have every right to hunt whale just like Americans have ever right to hunt and eat squirrels. Here, it is barbaric to eat a squirrel.

a reply to: Metallicus

I would kindly show them the millions upon millions of chickens roaming the pens, fields, and yards of the world.

There are only 500,000 or so minkes left in the world, and while the population appears stable, there also doesn't seem to be a whole lot of wiggle room there.

I've been up close and nearly personal with whales-gray, humpback, orca, and a lost sperm whale--in my life. They are, unlike chickens, intelligent wondrous creatures.

a reply to: howtonhawky

Not sure thriving is quite the right word...

Or are they, instead, filling a niche left open by the systematic slaughter of other whale species? That seems more likely.

Look at the incredible spread of the coyote into areas historically closed to them...because the way was opened with the slaughter of other predator species...such as the wolf.

I vote we arm Green Peace with torpedos to sink those suckers. Waite!! To severe. How about economic sanctions against Japan for breaking international law, or at least the law of common sense.

a reply to: gortex

Minke Whales aren't endangered and have been hunted around Antarctica for decades without adverse population impacts. I'm not seeing the problem here.

a reply to: gortex

In total 333 Minke Whales were killed (Murdered) as part of Japans Antarctic summer "field survey" , because you've got to kill Whales in order to study them.

Any chance we can get Japan to study our politicians?


Having said that. While it saddens me to see this or hear of any animal being killed I never understood why certain animals are more valuable than others and acceptable to kill and eat? Not being a vegan or a vegetarian myself its something of an internal battle for me. To the point I hope they successfully create better tasting and healthier Genetically Modified meats.

Pigs are pretty smart animals and know when they are going to be killed, yet they aren't socially protected like these whales?

I will never forget when I was around 12 my Dad took me to a farm where I saw the farmer bring out a gun to kill one of the pigs and as soon as the farmer pulled the gun out all the pigs went crazy screaming and tried to hide behind each other as they new what was coming. As soon as one was killed the screaming stopped.

originally posted by: seagull
a reply to: howtonhawky

Not sure thriving is quite the right word...

Or are they, instead, filling a niche left open by the systematic slaughter of other whale species? That seems more likely.

Look at the incredible spread of the coyote into areas historically closed to them...because the way was opened with the slaughter of other predator species...such as the wolf.

I disagree. The Coyote's thriving in regions occupied by an even more prolific and efficient predator than wolves: man, proves the coyote is simply very adaptable. You can kill hundreds of coyotes in a county each year and never put a single dent in their numbers... it takes a major drought that kills off their food source to see the numbers dip and even then that dip is minor as the coyote adapts to the situation and may lose that year's pups, but the adults find food somehow and survive it. Elimination of larger predators has little to do with it. Conversely, elimination of the larger predators was necessary to produce beef cattle and even successfully homestead much of the west. Leave the wolves and grizzlies in the picture, and suddenly you've got slaughtered herds and a boom of hungry predators looking towards the smooth skinned, clawless prey walking around on two legs.

a reply to: seagull

And somehow, through all their "research", it will "fail" to show them the reason for their extinction ;

Ouch. I somehow expect better from the Japanese.

a reply to: interupt42

Any chance we can get Japan to study our politicians?

lol. Outstanding.