Current Event 11/29 - Japan Whaling

In March of 2014, the International Court of Justice ruled that Japan's traditional whaling hunt in the Antarctic should cease. This fueled an abrupt stop to the 2014/15 whaling season in Japan. Despite global outrage, Japan announced that it will continue its whaling program in the 2015/16 whaling season (under a revised plan). Their revised plan indicates a cut of allowed catch by two-thirds down to 333 individuals (previously 1000). Japan claims whaling is part of their cultural tradition and is necessary for feeding the Japanese population.

I think this is ridiculous. I understand the value of culture and tradition for a population of people, but I feel like the severity of current environmental issues should take priority when making decisions concerning natural resources, whether those resources are a food source or an energy source. For example, driving cars has always been apart of American tradition since the dawn of the industrial revolution, we shouldn't be exempt from stricter carbon standards just because automobiles has been an integral part of our history.

I don't know how threatened or endangered the whale species is that Japanese fisherman target, but the idea of taken over three hundred whales out of the ocean each year is, in my opinion, absolutely absurd. There are not major whale populations comparable to that of salmon or any other ocean food source, and it seems this is another present example of a tragedy of the commons. I'm fairly sure the nutritional value of a whale isn't even something to marvel or regard highly. Not to mention the mercury content in a species so big has to be of great concern. I hope the International Court of Justice will address this immediately and label it as a high priority. Ideally, before the 2016 whaling season begins.

http://www.voanews.com/content/despite-ruling-japan-to-resume-whaling-in-antarctic-ocean/3078542.html