Update on Iceland’s Fin Whale Hunt!
Since Friday, June 22nd, a total of 4 whales have be slaughtered!
Please check back for periodic updates.
Source:
https://www.thedodo.com/in-the-wild/endangered-fin-whale-hunt-iceland
Original Post:
Do we have the right to boil lobsters alive?
On Saturday, June 23rd, the Rotary Club of Guilford Connecticut hosted LobsterFest 2018. People traveling to the event may have noticed a small peaceful group of protesters holding signs near the entrance. Their mission was to encourage people to reconsider attending the festival because of the growing social view that boiling lobsters alive is inhumane. This idea has been spreading globally. For example, in January of this year, Switzerland outlawed the boiling of lobsters and crustaceans without stunning and/or killing them first.
At the heart of this debate is whether or not lobsters feel pain. Unfortunately, there is no decisive answer because scientists have come up with results to support both sides. The simple fact is no one really knows!
For years, the initial thought was crustaceans felt no pain because of a lack of a complex nervous system and brain. However, a new study from 2013 published in the Journal of Experimental Biology showed crabs intentionally avoiding electric shocks. As a result of this study, Bob Elwood of Queen’s University Belfast posed the question:
“Even if you are reluctant to believe the data as being suggestive [that the animals experience pain], is it worthwhile imposing this on billions of animals every year throughout the world?”
But there is another side of this debate that seems to be getting lost among all of the science. Morally, is it right for human beings to boil alive a living creature? When we hear about other countries such as Korea and China boiling dogs and cats alive, we are appalled and sickened by the very thought of these beautiful animals suffering such a horrible fate. But why don’t we feel the same about lobsters and crustaceans, which have been on this planet in one form or another for nearly 480,000,000 years? Modern humans, on the other hand, have only been around for about 200,000 years. So, what right do we have to treat crustaceans in such a horrific uncaring way?
The fact that Switzerland, New Zealand and parts of Italy have banned the boiling of live lobsters prove that public perception is slowly leaning toward a more humane approach. Time will tell if this trend will expand throughout the world.
To discover more about this topic, check out these links:
http://time.com/5103892/switzerland-boil-lobsters/
http://www.businessinsider.com/do-lobsters-feel-pain-2014-5
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/a/american-lobster/
Iceland resumes hunt for endangered fin whale despite global outrage
Iceland resumed the hunt for fin whales, the world’s second largest animal, despite its endangered status and international trade ban under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). There are several articles featured online that expresses disgust and outrage toward Iceland’s actions. As of yesterday, a total of two fin whales have been slaughtered according to Veganbluebell’s Twitter feed.
Ironically, there is no sustainable or profitable market for fin whale products in Iceland. Instead, the major market is Japan. In addition, MMR, an Icelandic polling company, reported that only 34% of the population supports whaling, which represents a 26% drop from five years ago.
The fin whale is found throughout Alaska, New England/Mid-Atlantic, Pacific Islands, Southeast and the West Coast. They are considered an endangered species with about 82,000 living in the southern hemisphere and between 14,000 to 18,000 living in the North Pacific. Over hunting was the main reason for the fin whale’s decline. However, since commercial whaling ended in the 1970s and 1980s, the main threats are now vessel strikes, getting entangled in commercial fishing gear, reduced prey from over-fishing and man-made ocean noise.
Millionaire Kristjan Loftsoon and his company “Hvalur hf” are in charge of the hunt which has an estimated quota of 239 kills. Loftsoon plans to market whale meat, blubber and bones for iron supplements and other medicinal or food products.
You can follow EcoChatter or social media groups such as Blackfish Bragade on Facebook for periodic updates about Iceland’s whale hunt.
Eco Chatter 