[scemHeish]

research? don't kid yourself walrus.

do they publish papers?

They do, in fact, the most recent being published in the peer reviewed journal "Polar Biology". Regardless, I'm more pointing to the fact that the IWC allows IWC member states to issue research licenses which allow for lethal research. Japan simply uses these license in place of actual sanctioned whaling. Whaling is generally a cultural imperative in japan (and considered such in other countries), and asking them to stop based on our cultural reasonings alone is nothing more than cultural imperialism. If we want real change to happen, the change needs to be at the IWC and international treaty level. The ICRW conventions dictate that the products gained from research processes be marketed so that resources are not wasted. The point I am making is that japan isn't ignoring international law in this, they abide by the ICRW conventions, what they ARE ignoring is international popular opinion about whaling.

Braveheart made a few statements in his original post, one stating that the whaling was illegal, and another stating that if it was just research, the whale products would not be marketed. Both of those statements are not true statements. The whaling practiced by Japan is sanctioned under the ICRW, and the sale of the products is required by the ICRW. There are, in fact, many good reasons as to why some whale research requires lethal techniques.

The true underlying issue is whether or not the ICRW resolutions are just, and if appropriate steps are being taken to limit the number of research permits issued to protect whale populations. As far as I know, all research points to the fact that the levels of whaling undertaken by the countries that are currently doing it is actually a sustainable amount that still allows for growth in the population of whales. I think it would serve people well to consider these factors before they pass summary judgment on an entire race (or even members of that race).

There is some comfort to be taken that in terms of whaling, because it is so regulated, the practice is not wasteful. The wanton killing and waste that I have heard occurs at Taiji is a completely different story, however. I will freely admit that most of my knowledge on that subject is based totally on heresay however, and would probably require some research to get a proper understanding of actual circumstances.

Don't let the eco-terror promoting shows like Whale Wars completely define your view of a practice, that's all I'm saying.