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We Made Them Endangered, That Makes Us Responsible
The Gray Whale was hunted almost to extinction twice: in the 1880s and again in the 1920s. The International Whaling Commission was formed in 1946 by whaling nations, including the United States, to divide the annual catch into national quotas. Not until the early 70s did it become a means of controlling commercial whaling so that populations could recover.
A massive public outcry (Save the Whales) in the 70s culminated in 1986 when the International Whaling Commission adopted a 10-year moratorium on commercial whaling. Whaling nations expected a return to whaling, but many nations have since decided that whaling is no longer profitable because products once supplied by whales have been replaced by plastics and petroleum.
Some nations, however, are still actively campaigning for the resumption of commercial whaling. Minke whales are still quite abundant and are the main species taken today under “scientific” permits, but the numbers killed typically exceed a sustainable quota.
All of the endangered whales are internationally protected from commercial harvest, but Japan is leading the demand for a return to commercial whaling and is currently hunting endangered whales even in the International Whale Preserve in Antarctica.
But all whales today face a wide variety of threats, far more than were present in whaling days. They all face severe pollution and degradation of their habitats and destruction of their food sources. Larger, faster, and more plentiful ships cross their migratory routes injuring whales. Each year many whales die as a result of entanglement in fishing gear.
Twenty-one countries including England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa oppose Japan’s hunting in the International Whale Preserve.
What Can We Do To Help
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Keep garbage, especially plastics, out of the ocean.
- Pick up litter and put in receptacles.
- Don’t put paint and hazardous waste down drains.
- Use non-toxic household cleaners.
- Use lawn and garden chemicals sparingly.
- Recycle used motor oil and old tires.
- Conserve energy, materials and water.
- Be thoughtful: Reduce - Reuse - Recycle.
- Volunteer, Support or Get Involved!
- Call or write the president or your congressional representative.
The following web sites contain continually updated information about the world’s whales. Check them often.
International Whaling Commission: www.iwcoffice.org
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: www.noaa.gov/whales
The Humane Society: www.hsus.org (then select marine mammals)
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