Overfishing dolphins and whales

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Dolphins and whales on the verge of extinction, that’s what I think we are looking at here if things carry on as they are. Over fishing, particularly that of dolphins and whales does need to addressed before it is too late.

It's a beautiful sight, a clean clear blue sea teaming with fish and wildlife there for everyone to enjoy and benefit from. It is just a shame that it wont be that way for much longer and the legacy that we will leave our children is a world of polluted seas and fish, whales and dolphins hunted almost to extinction. It makes feel sad, and extremely angry when I think of the fishing, or rather overfishing practices of countries such as Japan where there is no regard for world fish stocks. Let's not forget Europe, where overfishing is also common, and we should know better!

Around 20,000 dolphins are killed off the coast of Japan every year and it is widely regarded in the small fishing towns as a great honour to be able to hunt dolphins and whales. Despite enormous criticism from environmentalists and governments the slaughter continues and the meat from whales and dolphins fetch a high price on the local markets, and is much more profitable and prized than either tuna or regular fish.

20,000 Dolphins killed every year

It's probably a bit radical to actually work, but imagine if we could all boycott buying Japanese products and force them to take notice of the rest of the world and how we all feel. Okay, there might be a problem or two here because we all need memory chips in our computers and we buy many of Japanese cars and motorcycles each year.

A recent documentary shown on BBC Television 9th November 2004 highlights the current problems of dolphin hunting. Take a look at this article as it may be of interest to some of you who actually care.

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Have been trying to put another comment on this gripe for ages, for some reason the site wouldn't let me. Evidently others still can, so here goes again!

What I wanted to say to sam is; how smart an animal is makes a difference because of the way they would feel as their family is disappears! There was something on the tv a while ago which showed elephants clearly grieving over a dead relative, and dolphins are probably more intelligent than elephants.

In answer to the question about technology, dolphins are unable to use tools and humans are. We have the opposable thumb (opposable to our fingers) so we are able to use tools and make things. That is why we have technology! Who knows how sophisticated dolphin thinking is?

grumpyoldwoman 24-Jun-2009 12:44

icanlol : but why would you specifically want to eat dolphin? The jury is out on their intelligence (just for argument sake). Do you want to eat gorilla too? Have a 20oz sirloin, a pork chop, a bit of zebra maybe and if you're sick enough go eat some cat in China

grumpierbastid 24-Jun-2009 02:04

To all who responded to me, I am fully aware that dolphins are "intelligent" but to say they are as intelligent as humans is plain wrong. If they were as intelligent as us they would have developed even rudimentry technology. Anyhow, I was trying to make the point of where the line is drawn in what can and can't be eaten. Is it acceptable to eat a dog? What about primates? Can you justify eating a cow but not a cat? Animals that are regularly eaten are often seen as distinctly different as, say, pets. Why is this?

icanlol 24-Jun-2009 01:22

Omg grumpyoldwomen who cares how smart an animal, how does that make it different from any other animal. They can all communicate and stuff, how are dolphins more superior than any other animal and how are we more superior than any other animal? Besides all animals eat each other unless they are herbivours, as long as we dont eat too many of them then its fine

sam 25-May-2009 13:04

icanlol : we are ALL animals, you included. What else do you think you are if you are not an animal ... a plant?

ALL animals, us included, are special. Don't think that by being a human being (?) you are somehow "above" the animals, you are not, you are one of them.

Nikki 10-May-2009 20:01

icanlol; just because they are dolphins DOES make them different! They are more intelligent than salmon, cows and prawns by a long way and may indeed be as intelligent as human beings.

How would you like it if you and your family were rounded up and slaughtered for some other species to eat?

grumpyoldwoman 10-May-2009 07:39

Also I would like to try dolphin meat, just to see what it tasted like. Can anyone recommend a british shop that deals in dolphin meat?

icanlol 10-May-2009 00:50

Just because they are dolphins does not make them special, they are still animals. A silly boycotting of japan because "their culture is different, they eat different animals from us, and I don't like that, and the poor defenceless dolphins" What about the poor defenceless salmon, cows and prawns we eat everyday?

icanlol 10-May-2009 00:48

Dolphins are my favorite animal and it makes me feel sick to see and hear that they are being killed for the profit they make at the market.

Tbop 02-Apr-2009 06:16

Dolphins are my favorite animal and it makes me feel sick to see and hear that they are being killed for the profit they make at the market.

Tbop 01-Apr-2009 11:06

Sadly Basil, that's generally the attitude of most of the human race. It's a wonder we've survived this long to be honest. There will be a day of reckoning some time soon for mankind and the judge is not known for her leniency.

Angel11 13-Feb-2009 09:32

To be factual, the issue is not a money spinner and does not concern the average working man and woman. It does not pay for a MoT or a council tax bill so why should anyone care?

Harsh I know but these are the facts.

The overfishing of dolphins and whales doesn't put ten pounds worth of fuel in my tank to take me to work. It's a non-starter. End of case.

Right Said Basil 12-Feb-2009 23:03

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Overfishing dolphins and whales

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