Whale watching more beneficial than whale hunting

It was with good reason that the Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Board scolded the media for showing an interest – and excitement – in publicizing the hunting of another bowhead whale. Public opinion opposes the hunt. Modern killing equipment, fast boats and cellular phones do not look “traditional” on TV. A newspaper photograph of a sedentary whale being shot dead looks more like the proverbial fish in a barrel than a test of the bravery and pride of the whale hunters.

Killing off this highly endangered population of great whales one by one for “quasi-ceremonial purposes” does not wash well with the rest of the world. In the international arena, Canada is known as a pirate whaling nation, the only developed country to whale outside the authority of the International Whaling Commission. The commission’s scientific committee and top Canadian whale researchers have repeatedly criticized the hunting of this small population of whales because of concerns that the bowhead might go extinct in Nunavut.

Communities such as Hall Beach and Igloolik, who are lucky enough to live with this surviving population of very old whales, should be encouraged to continue developing whale watching operations and other tourism opportunities. Tourism benefits everyone. Another bowhead hunt hurts us all. And blaming the media for everything certainly doesn’t solve anything.

To read our society’s July 2001 report titled “Canada’s War on Whales: Will the Bowhead survive?” please visit our website http://www.whaleprotection.org/cmeps.

Annelise Sorg, Executive Director
Canadian Marine Environment
Protection Society
Vancouver
cmeps@whaleprotection.org