Feature: Watch whales don’t hunt them!
Jun 22, 2009
© WSPA
Once again, the International Whaling Committee (IWC) are holding their annual meeting to decide the fate of the world’s whales.
The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and TV naturalist Terry Nutkins spent the day on an ethical whale watching trip off the Isle of Mull, with the expert Sea Life Surveys crew – a member of the not for profit organisation, Wild Scotland – in celebration of a more positive way to appreciate these stunning marine mammals.
The minke whales that live and breed in Scottish waters are threatened by the annual Norwegian whale hunt, which takes place every year in April. Norway was awarded a 2009 whaling quota of 885 minke whales and has killed over 150 whales so far this year.
Whale watching is a booming industry
WSPA firmly believes that whale watching is more economically worthwhile to communities than whaling. Research into the growth of the global whale watching industry estimates it to be a US $2.1 billion business, enjoyed by around 13 million people in more than 110 countries each year.
In Scotland, the last report on whale watching in 2001 showed that it was worth £7.8million per year; since then the number of wildlife tourism boat operators in Scotland has doubled.
Please enjoy this WSPA UK video looking at the money brought in by ethical whale watching versus whaling, presented by WSPA celebrity supporter, Terry Nutkins.
Making sure that whales are protected
© WSPA
WSPA are calling on the IWC to develop and promote mandatory international standards for whale watching industries. Currently, anyone can set up a business and there is a need to ensure that boat operators have the necessary knowledge to deliver these tours. Best practice charters are important in raising standards.
Caroline Warburton, Manager of ethical holiday association Wild Scotland said: “Scotland is an important area for whales and dolphins and livelihoods are now dependent upon whale watching activities. Responsible whale watching provides a real employment alternative and that’s why we support WSPA when they call on the IWC for an end to whaling.”
Beloved Animal Magic and Really Wild Show presenter, Terry Nutkins – host of recent BBC3 show My Life as an Animal – said: “When you see these magnificent creatures in the wild, especially in such beautiful settings, it’s shameful to think that humans hunt them for profit. Countries like Norway could compassionately reap more profit by developing their whale watching industry instead of whaling.”
Whale welfare concerns shared by Norwegians
It seems that whaling cruelty concerns are increasingly shared by Norway’s general public. In April 2009, a poll taken by WSPA and two Norwegian member societies (Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge and NOAH–for dyrs rettigheter) found that one in three Norwegians agreed that Norway should begin phasing out commercial whale hunting because of animal welfare concerns.
In the same poll only 6% of Norwegians said they regularly ate whale meat.
Leah Garces, WSPA International Director of Programmes said: “It is currently illegal in Norway to hang a live fish from a hook, but whales are still being killed using explosive harpoons. For a country that’s otherwise progressive on most animal welfare issues, it is extremely sad that there is such a blind-spot for whale welfare. Surely all animals should be treated humanely.”
Whales are usually killed with explosive harpoons that detonate inside their body. The average time to death reported by Norway is two to three minutes, although some whales can take up to an hour to die; an unacceptable cruelty.
Show whaling nations whale watching is a strong alternative
Terry added: “I suggest Brits show their support for better whale welfare by going on an ethical whale watching trip when they go on holiday this year. You don’t even have to leave the UK to do it – I’ve had a fantastic time in Scotland!”
VisitScotland, Scotland’s national tourism organisation consider ethical whale watching to be a great resource for the country. Philip Riddle, Chief Executive of VisitScotland said: “We are delighted to support the World Society for the Protection of Animals in promoting the welfare of such a beautiful Scottish mammal. Scotland in the summer is the perfect place to witness minke whales in their natural habitat. These stunning creatures have been spotted around the waters of Scotland from the coastal trail of Fife in the east coast of Scotland to the stunning Outer Hebrides in the North West. And there are many wonderful sea life companies, such as Sea Life Surveys who can help you discover them.”
Find out more about WSPA’s work with whales
Find out more about Wild Scotland
Find out more about Sea Life Surveys
Find out more about Visit Scotland
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