Norway plans to kill 1052 minke whales

Not to be outdone by Japan, Norway makes a bid as the nation most committed to senseless killing of whales. Like Japan, this is an "industry" where this dwindling and niche market for the meat, millions of dollars are lost each year in the process, and the workers are kept employed by government subsidies.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/whale-watch/nor...2234104621.html

Yup and they've been at it since '93. But no real outcry against the Norwegians unlike the Japanese, which feeds right into the hands of nationalist Japanese who use it to support the industry.

I think it is hilarious that no-one really commented on this story, when it is sadly more whales than the 'Japs' (to quote elsewhere) will take.

I appreciate that the Japanese get much more negative publicity, and we all know what the Nisshin Maru is, but we really should be discussing what those 'beady eyed' Norwegians are upto.

Although much like the Shark Finning/Fishing issue it seems to be totally acceptable for white folk to do it, but outrageous for _____ (insert your racial slur here) to do it.

What, not enough research being done on minke whales in Japan?

As an aside, isn't the prime minister of Norway suppose to be some kind of hard core environmentalist?

Simon, the Norwegians haven't killed more than 500-600 because they realize there's no market without the Japanese. Since the Japanese won't buy North Sea Minke meat from them, they sorta have to go out and hunt because someone is paying them to.

Dave

They are not claiming it to be research at all, unlike the Japanese. It's all out hunting. The norwegians in all probability are culling the minke whales so that they don't compete with the fishing boats.

The funny thing is that with all fisheries policies around the world, 'sustainability' means anything that humans can harvest it continuously. However, with certain bounties like the sardines in Africa or the herring in the fjords, many animals are significant consumers and thus should be factored in.

Sperm whales are estimated to consume over 150 tons of cephalopods and fish per capita per year. That's more than all the scandanavian states together. I can't see the Baleen Minkes being that much better when it comes to consumption.

I appreciate that the Japanese get much more negative publicity, and we all know what the Nisshin Maru is, but we really should be discussing what those 'beady eyed' Norwegians are upto.

well I for one am going to burn my LL Bean Norwegian Fisherman sweater in protest...

Well Norway's biggest export are oil/petrochemicals and seafood. Your LL Bean sweater is probably made in Asia. so you'd really be protesting shark finning.

Well Norway's biggest export are oil/petrochemicals and seafood.

and all this time I thought their major export were funny patterned sweaters...