The BBC correctly asks “How did the anti-whalers lose?”
It seems that anti-whaling nations and pro-whale non-governmental organizations (NGOs) worldwide stood by as Japan recruited other nations to join the International Whaling Commission (IWC). Their objective? To stack the votes in favor of whaling. The last time the Grumpy Vegan looked such countries as Morocco and Cambodia had no interests in whaling. But why are they voting in support of the return of commercial whaling? Answer: The Yen. Lots of it.
While the whales are relatively safe – notwithstanding Papastavrou’s prescient remark – IWC member nations who support commercial whaling do not make up the 75 percent that’s needed to overturn the ban. It’s doubtful that this will be ever the case. But, in the meantime, we’re responsible for making sure that pro-whale NGOs increase their effectiveness in mobilizing public opinion and demand more from our national governments to keep commercial whaling outlawed.
We thought the world’s whales had some protection. We thought the Canadian seal kill was in decline. It’s clear. National pride and financial gain will always trump the lives of animals.
