David Attenborough calls for an end to all whaling

[dArKeR]

A WHALE FOR THE KILLING: The world-renowned naturalist said there was no justification for the hunting of whales with explosive-tipped harpoons

THE GUARDIAN , LONDON
Wednesday, Mar 10, 2004,Page 6

The leading British environmentalist Sir David Attenborough says there is no humane way to kill a whale at sea and questions whether whaling should "still be tolerated be a civilized society" in a report yesterday by scientists and major conservation organizations.

In a departure from his long-held stance of neutrality on political and conservation questions Attenborough makes clear his opposition to whaling in the report, Troubled Waters.

The issue of whalers' ability to kill humanely is central to the British and other conservation-minded nations opposing the resumption of commercial whaling. They say that, if it cannot be achieved, then whaling should not resume.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/03/10/2003101889

[Dookus]

1. Good for him...

Sir David is admired by many millions. He's absolutely right. It's just a race against time - can we get Japan, Norway and the others to give up this barbaric and unnecessary practice in time to save the whales.

I hope so.

[Dogmudgeon]

2. Doomed Fish

I know -- whales are Cetaceans, but the issue is the same.

Over-fishing, combined with the world-wide mass extinction event we're now in, have depressed the populations of fish all around the world. Some of the fish we eat has become endangered, and overall yields are down at least 50% since the 1960s for most fish.

We need to seriously begin dealing with these problems -- the climate, the ecology, the prospect of a major energy shortage, and the by-products of our waste and short-sightedness.

--bkl