As the topic of Whaling becomes more popular and the media covers stories for example such as Greenpeace trying to free whales from being killed against massive Japanese Whaling ships it is becoming evident to people that whaling is an inhumane act which needs to come to an end. As a result of this the world has seen an increase of campaigns, governments forming together to try and stop this act and people coming together to protest against whaling. Although holding sings and chanting "whaling is wrong" doesn't seem like the most effective way to stop whaling it does have its benefits, it draws attention to the issue and raises concerns all over the world about the future of these exquisite creatures. This makes people question those involved with whaling and puts extreme amounts of pressure on whalers to come to a stop in the hunting of whales. Now with social media sites such as Facebook people set up petitions via the web that often go viral, this is a great way for everyone to get involved and push for a change to take place in relation to whaling practises.
Below are some major campaigns and organisations which are ran by people whose main objective is to create awareness about this issues the impacts it will have on not just the marine system but also us, the people who make up this world.
The Sea Shepherd Conversation Society.
The Sea Shepherd is a guided organisation ran under the United Nations World Charter for Nature. It is the only organisation is whose mission is to enforce these international conservation regulations on the high seas known as the "International Whaling Commission" (IWC). As Stated on the Sea Shepherds website, the main objective of the Sea Shepherd is to end the destruction of habitat and the killing of wildlife in the worlds oceans in order to maintain and protect ecosystems and species.
The Sea Shepherd uses groundbreaking direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas in relation to Whaling. By defending the biodiversity of our delicately balanced ocean ecosystems, The Sea Shepherd works to ensure their survival for future generations.
The Sea Shepherd has had approximately 8 major anti-whaling campaigns take action over recent years. One of the biggest was "Operation No Compromise". The objective of this campaign was to "defend the integrity of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary". The Southern Whale Sanctuary is a real place. It is an internationally established Whale sanctuary.
Captain Paul Watson (Captain of the Ship taking campaigners and those involved with the organisation) said, " Just what is it about this word 'sanctuary' that people don't understand. Sanctuary means no killing, it means protection, it means refuge, it means asylum, and we intend to protect the whales within the sanctuary with all the resources available to us".
It is a violation of international conservation law to kill even one whale. The objection of this campaign in particular was to ultimately stop the killing of whales, but also to put up a fight for the "animal rights" these beautiful creatures should really have access to. The Sea Shepherd went into this campaign unwilling to negotiate (with those involved with whaling) any form of deal to do with Whaling hence the name given to this mission "Operation No Compromise". Unless there is a kill quota of zero whale kills the Sea Shepherd fleets will continue to return to the Southern Ocean Sanctuary to campaign against the killing of the Whales.
Many countries with organisations reflecting on animal rights have become involved in the global campaign to stop whaling, those countries where governments involved have told Sea Shepherd that if they come to a compromise with the Whalers then that will cut the kill quota in the Southern Ocean in half. In the years leading up to these major campaigns, the Sea Shepherd have already managed to cut the population of whales being slaughtered in half. So their initial response to this comment was as their best efforts have already done this without a compromise in place therefore it would not be achieving anything additional. Sea Shepherd stated, " We are not satirised with half, we want 100% protection, nothing less. If the compromise cuts the quota in half than we will return to cut the reduced quota in half, or more than half. We will not quit the sanctuary until the last harpoon is retired.”
The Sea Shepherds are to be commended for their great effort in relation to the anti-whaling campaigns which they are always participating in and even going to greater extents such as working with other organisations to raise awareness about Whaling and the impacts its going to leave on our world if it continues.
WWF Campaigns WWF Australia is actively working to protect our planets whales by: WWF-Australia is actively working to protect our whales by: • creating new Whale Sanctuaries and advocating for a National Network of Whale and Dolphins Sanctuaries • supporting research to fill critical knowledge gaps • building the conservation agenda of the International Whaling Commission • working to preserve the moratorium against commercial whaling and end whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.
WWF continues to work with members of the International Whaling Commission (also known as IWC) to prevent a return to uncontrolled commercial whaling and promote whale conservation in the face of marine pollution, climate change, ship strikes, and other human-induced threats. That means making the IWC an effective international forum for the conservation of all cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises), particularly those that are endangered. WWF has set a new goal to establish new whale sanctuaries in the South Pacific and South Atlantic Oceans. and wish to strengthen existing sanctuaries. The organisation also supports countries wanting to establish conservation initiatives.
Greenpeace Greenpeace is also involved with a huge amount of anti-whaling campaigns. Greenpeace goes out into the ocean and tries to prevent whaling face on with whaling ships and whalers. Many of their campaigns are visual ones such as television commercials (like the one below) which spreads the word about whaling and how it needs to stop. These commercials are quick to the point and gain audiences attention across the world.