Iceland Resumes Commercial Whaling - GoFuckYourself.com

spunkmaster · 10-23-2006, 11:52 PM

Iceland has said it would resume commercial whaling, making it only the second country to do so after Norway, in a decision that is expected to spark protests from around the world.

Iceland's fisheries ministry said Tuesday it had authorized whalers to hunt 30 minke whales and nine fin whales ? on the endangered species list ? in the period from Sept. 1, 2006 until Aug. 31, 2007.

"I don't think they'll start the hunt today ... they can start tomorrow (Wednesday) if they like," said Bjoern Brynjolfsson, an assistant to Fisheries Minister Einar Kristinn Gudfinnson.

"The meat will be exported," he added.

Environmental group Greenpeace immediately blasted the decision, saying it "doesn't make any sense whatsoever."

Iceland's fisheries ministry insisted in a statement that "none of the planned catches involve any endangered or threatened stocks of whales.

"They only involve abundant stocks and are linked to Iceland's overall policy of sustainable utilisation of marine resources."

The fin whale is the second largest species of whale after the blue whale.

In the case of minke whales, the proposed commercial catch and the existing planned catch for scientific purposes ? numbering 39 ? would represent less than 0.2 percent of the minke stock in Icelandic waters, the ministry said.

According to estimates agreed on by the International Whaling Commission (IWC), there are close to 70,000 minke whales in the central North Atlantic Ocean, of which around 43,600 are in Icelandic waters.

Fin whales in the central North Atlantic number around 25,800, according to IWC estimates referred to by the ministry.

Iceland halted whaling altogether in 1990 but in 2003 resumed for what it called scientific reasons.

Marine experts say the scientific value from whale catches is negligible, while environmentalists claim Iceland and Japan invoke scientific reasons in order to exploit a loophole in the IWC's provisions.

As a condition for re-joining the IWC in 2002, Iceland pledged not to authorize a resumption in commercial whaling before 2006. Thereafter it would not be allowed while talks within the IWC regarding sustainable whaling were deemed to be making progress.

At the IWC's 2005 meeting Iceland warned that these discussions were not making sufficient progress and said the 2006 talks had reached a deadlock.

At the June meeting the IWC narrowly passed a resolution declaring that a 20-year moratorium on commercial hunting was "no longer necessary."

However, the moratorium is not in immediate danger as it needs a currently unobtainable 75 percent majority to be overturned.

Reykjavik took the vote to mean it had a legal right to resume commercial whaling.

While the meat from the commercial hunt was to be exported, whale meat caught for research purposes by Iceland is finding a growing home market.

"We have seen a great change in the past two years regarding public attitudes towards eating whale... Restaurants (are) coming up with all kinds of new recipes, from sashimi to barbeque," fisheries ministry lawyer Asta Einarsdottir told AFP.

The meat from this year's catch has been "all but ordered up," she said.

This argument was however rejected by Greenpeace.

OG LennyT · 10-23-2006, 11:57 PM

Are they endangered or not?

squishypimp · 10-24-2006, 12:08 AM

aico · 10-24-2006, 12:13 AM

I don't see a problem with it.

BIGTYMER · 10-24-2006, 12:23 AM

Webby · 10-24-2006, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvd316

Are they endangered or not?

Sure they are - tho that has never stopped assholes from killing them.

Won't say where it is, but there is one location in the Pacific (OK wrong ocean for Iceland), where whales still breed. Was chatting with one of the monitoring people and apparently that is the last place left on the whole of the Pacific rim where whales are free to breed. Astounding when you consider the total mileage of shoreline around the Pacific

Almost all other locations have been screwed up to a level that whales no longer go there.

It's also damned amazing to watch whales with their young - they teach them how to dive (duh? who knew they don't know how to dive?). The water in this area is very clean and uncontaminated - with a temperature like a jacuzzi. The only threat to young whales are dolphins who "pack hunt" them, - but the parent thrashes em away.

It's ironic that folks are spending a lot of time and money trying to leave areas uncontaminated to allow whales to breed - and on the other hand, idiots are killing em.

aico · 10-24-2006, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Webby

Sure they are - tho that has never stopped assholes from killing them.

Won't say where it is, but there is one location in the Pacific (OK wrong ocean for Iceland), where whales still breed. Was chatting with one of the monitoring people and apparently that is the last place left on the whole of the Pacific rim where whales are free to breed. Astounding when you consider the total mileage of shoreline around the Pacific

Almost all other locations have been screwed up to a level that whales no longer go there.

It's also damned amazing to watch whales with their young - they teach them how to dive (duh? who knew they don't know how to dive?). The water in this area is very clean and uncontaminated - with a temperature like a jacuzzi. The only threat to young whales are dolphins who "pack hunt" them, - but the parent thrashes em away.

It's ironic that folks are spending a lot of time and money trying to leave areas uncontaminated to allow whales to breed - and on the other hand, idiots are killing em.

This is a pretty general statement, what type of whale are you talking about. They are not hunting all whales, just the two mentioned.

I think it's cute when a cow nudges her calf up to teach it how to walk, that's right before they beat the living shit out of it and call it Veal.

da man · 10-24-2006, 01:11 AM

I have been recently to Iceland and I had an expression that they were hunting whales even before this statement appeared..

Webby · 10-24-2006, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aico

This is a pretty general statement, what type of whale are you talking about. They are not hunting all whales, just the two mentioned.

I think it's cute when a cow nudges her calf up to teach it how to walk, that's right before they beat the living shit out of it and call it Veal.

Yep - what is more innocent than a calf with big eyes

The whales Iceland is hunting are minke and fin - both are highly vulnerable species.

There are three species, at least in quanitity, in the breeding region I mentioned - humpback, pilot and killer whales (false) - killers are not on the endangered list (as far as I know) tho the humpback is vulnerable/at risk.

Each year in the location I mentioned the whales end up on their way north/south and the end up in this region and breed. It's an awesome place and so far, almost untouched, (but getting threatened to a level) with plenty dolphins (spinner, bottlenose and spotted). Often where there are pods of whales, the dolphins are following along. The land area from the coast is much the same - teeming with wildlife.

A couple of occasions we were on a boat (not a massive boat) in that area and whales were... around 30-50 ft off the side of the boat. The problem was they could turn the boat over, but was interesting stuff!

Another night the fuel was low on a boat and went off to fill up - the damned fuel station was closed and had to knock up the guy for fuel. By this time it was dark and the boat had no lights (no problem from other boats - there are none around). I had no clue whatsoever where we were - it was pitch dark *lol* The main problem going back was the possibility of being overturned by a whale

Seeing nature "in the raw" is amazing stuff - even better when there are biologists around as guides, else ya can miss a lot. We have two biologists (one marine and the other on land-based critters) working down there now cataloging all the species and the sealife immediately off the shoreline - so far the list is extensive (tho half of it, I've no clue what these creatures are).

Webby · 10-24-2006, 01:51 AM

Mmmm.. There may be an error on stuff I said about minke whales - just checked a list here (it's not the "official endangered species list" - just our notes) - and says data on minke is not enough to give an evaluation as to the risk level. They may not be as vulerable as others - tho who knows?

Scott McD · 10-24-2006, 01:56 AM

We should go to war with those assholes...

aico · 10-24-2006, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Webby

Mmmm.. There may be an error on stuff I said about minke whales - just checked a list here (it's not the "official endangered species list" - just our notes) - and says data on minke is not enough to give an evaluation as to the risk level. They may not be as vulerable as others - tho who knows?

70,000 is a lot, no? And I believe that they are only killing 30 Minke. It's confusing if that is each person gets to kill 30, or only 30 get killed total, first come first served so to speak.

Ace_luffy · 10-24-2006, 02:01 AM

thanks for the info....

Webby · 10-24-2006, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aico

70,000 is a lot, no? And I believe that they are only killing 30 Minke. It's confusing if that is each person gets to kill 30, or only 30 get killed total, first come first served so to speak.

That the claimed numbers of minke? Wonder if that is accurate? Just read thru stuff here that indicated the numbers were not established and needed a re-evaluation.

Sure, 70K sounds a lot. Suppose it may depend on other stuff that interacts with minke (and I know nada about that!) and the relevance of minke in the overall picture.

Talking about biodiversity - this stuff was published Euro morning time today - kinda depressing.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6077798.stm

Here's other related material...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6033407.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4897252.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3667300.stm

Irrespective of the orgs compiling the data (they even argue among themselves over that), there appears to be a substantial reduction of species over the last 30 years - not good news.

GrouchyAdmin · 10-24-2006, 02:13 AM

GOD DAMN BUSH!

Oh, wait.

Webby · 10-24-2006, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toonpornblog

GOD DAMN BUSH!

Oh, wait.

Na... don't stop there - You can blame him for trying to attack the Arctic reserves

basschick · 10-24-2006, 02:29 AM

70,000? a lot? there are is it 3 million humans in the u.s. alone. so no, i'd say 70,000 is not a lot.

besides, there are SO many animals used for food. i can't quite imagine why they can't live without this one, too.

Jakke PNG · 10-24-2006, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basschick

70,000? a lot? there are is it 3 million humans in the u.s. alone. so no, i'd say 70,000 is not a lot.

besides, there are SO many animals used for food. i can't quite imagine why they can't live without this one, too.

Why not? It's their tradition and who am I to judge, or you? There's enough veggies in the ground to feed us, why eat meat? Enough cotton not to wear leather of fur.

Try telling a native indian village guy that you also adore cows, medium rare is the best. Cultural differences. Live with it, YOU can't dictate to others how to live, or what's moral and what's not. Look down on them goddamn savages.

Everyone's so fucking judgemental about muslims forcing everyone to live by their rules...aren't you guys doing pretty much the same?

Jakke PNG · 10-24-2006, 02:38 AM

Basschick, that wasn't an attack towards YOUR post..but to whale-hunter-opposers as a whole.

I personally don't support whaling, but it's none of my business to say they can't. I hate greenpeace with passion.

aico · 10-24-2006, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basschick

70,000? a lot? there are is it 3 million humans in the u.s. alone. so no, i'd say 70,000 is not a lot.

besides, there are SO many animals used for food. i can't quite imagine why they can't live without this one, too.

According to the CIA World Factbook, as of July, 2005, there were approximately 6,446,131,400 people on the planet, and the death rate was approximately 8.78 deaths per 1,000 people a year. According to our nifty desktop calculator, that works out to roughly 56,597,034 people leaving us every year. That's about a 155,000 a day.

Sooo. 8.78 x 70 (because 70,000 whales) = 614.60

614.60/30 = 20%

So the amount of whales killed would be 80% less than that of humans dying, (by ratio of living to dying). And humans aren't really going extinct now are they?

So I think that killing 30 of 70,000 is a very small #

Of course you have to keep in mind I am not accounting for the natural deaths of the whales, so the 80% is obviously too high.

rodney25 · 10-24-2006, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvd316

Are they endangered or not?

I think these are already considered endangered species.

10-23-2006, 11:52 PM	#1
spunkmaster Confirmed User Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 2,052	Iceland Resumes Commercial Whaling Iceland has said it would resume commercial whaling, making it only the second country to do so after Norway, in a decision that is expected to spark protests from around the world. Iceland's fisheries ministry said Tuesday it had authorized whalers to hunt 30 minke whales and nine fin whales ? on the endangered species list ? in the period from Sept. 1, 2006 until Aug. 31, 2007. "I don't think they'll start the hunt today ... they can start tomorrow (Wednesday) if they like," said Bjoern Brynjolfsson, an assistant to Fisheries Minister Einar Kristinn Gudfinnson. "The meat will be exported," he added. Environmental group Greenpeace immediately blasted the decision, saying it "doesn't make any sense whatsoever." Iceland's fisheries ministry insisted in a statement that "none of the planned catches involve any endangered or threatened stocks of whales. "They only involve abundant stocks and are linked to Iceland's overall policy of sustainable utilisation of marine resources." The fin whale is the second largest species of whale after the blue whale. In the case of minke whales, the proposed commercial catch and the existing planned catch for scientific purposes ? numbering 39 ? would represent less than 0.2 percent of the minke stock in Icelandic waters, the ministry said. According to estimates agreed on by the International Whaling Commission (IWC), there are close to 70,000 minke whales in the central North Atlantic Ocean, of which around 43,600 are in Icelandic waters. Fin whales in the central North Atlantic number around 25,800, according to IWC estimates referred to by the ministry. Iceland halted whaling altogether in 1990 but in 2003 resumed for what it called scientific reasons. Marine experts say the scientific value from whale catches is negligible, while environmentalists claim Iceland and Japan invoke scientific reasons in order to exploit a loophole in the IWC's provisions. As a condition for re-joining the IWC in 2002, Iceland pledged not to authorize a resumption in commercial whaling before 2006. Thereafter it would not be allowed while talks within the IWC regarding sustainable whaling were deemed to be making progress. At the IWC's 2005 meeting Iceland warned that these discussions were not making sufficient progress and said the 2006 talks had reached a deadlock. At the June meeting the IWC narrowly passed a resolution declaring that a 20-year moratorium on commercial hunting was "no longer necessary." However, the moratorium is not in immediate danger as it needs a currently unobtainable 75 percent majority to be overturned. Reykjavik took the vote to mean it had a legal right to resume commercial whaling. While the meat from the commercial hunt was to be exported, whale meat caught for research purposes by Iceland is finding a growing home market. "We have seen a great change in the past two years regarding public attitudes towards eating whale... Restaurants (are) coming up with all kinds of new recipes, from sashimi to barbeque," fisheries ministry lawyer Asta Einarsdottir told AFP. The meat from this year's catch has been "all but ordered up," she said. This argument was however rejected by Greenpeace. __________________

10-23-2006, 11:57 PM	#2
OG LennyT Wall Street Pimp Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 14,345	Are they endangered or not? __________________ Tradeking - my online broker \| 4.95 a trade \| make real $$

10-24-2006, 12:08 AM	#3
squishypimp PostMaster General Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 10,781	__________________ Signature For Sale

10-24-2006, 01:11 AM	#8
da man Confirmed User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,375	I have been recently to Iceland and I had an expression that they were hunting whales even before this statement appeared.. __________________ Mike Cross : Kink.com : ICQ: 413115769

10-24-2006, 01:51 AM	#10
Webby Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Far far away - as possible Posts: 14,956	Mmmm.. There may be an error on stuff I said about minke whales - just checked a list here (it's not the "official endangered species list" - just our notes) - and says data on minke is not enough to give an evaluation as to the risk level. They may not be as vulerable as others - tho who knows? __________________ XXX TLD's - Another mosquito to swat.

10-24-2006, 12:13 AM	#4
aico Moo Moo Cow Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Washington State Posts: 14,748	I don't see a problem with it.

10-24-2006, 12:23 AM	#5
BIGTYMER Junior Achiever Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Walled Garden Posts: 17,066

10-24-2006, 01:56 AM	#11
Scott McD Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 67,795	We should go to war with those assholes... __________________ I Buy My High Quality Traffic Here, You Should Too!

10-24-2006, 02:01 AM	#13
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10-24-2006, 02:13 AM	#15
GrouchyAdmin Now choke yourself! Industry Role: Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 12,085	GOD DAMN BUSH! Oh, wait. __________________ AIM: GrouchyGfy

10-24-2006, 02:29 AM	#17
basschick Confirmed User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: el lay, ca usa Posts: 2,540	70,000? a lot? there are is it 3 million humans in the u.s. alone. so no, i'd say 70,000 is not a lot. besides, there are SO many animals used for food. i can't quite imagine why they can't live without this one, too. __________________ Got Gay and For Women Traffic?

10-24-2006, 02:38 AM	#19
Jakke PNG ex-TeenGodFather Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Suomi Finland Perkele Posts: 20,306	Basschick, that wasn't an attack towards YOUR post..but to whale-hunter-opposers as a whole. I personally don't support whaling, but it's none of my business to say they can't. I hate greenpeace with passion. __________________ ..and I'm off.