The slaughtering of whales stared in the year 3000 BC, and first developed in northen Europe. The nordics discovered in the 19th century that they could make money off of whale body parts. This started when six men were in rowing boats aremed with weapons. The whales bones were sold to make knife handles, corsets, brushes, and unbrella ribs. The main money maker from whales was their blubber. It was melted down in brick ovens to become oil. The oil was then used for lighting and lubrication. When steam powered boats were introduced in the year 1870, whaling became more popular. Many people quickly frowned upon whaling, because whales were, and still are on the endangered species list. Whaling became banned in 1986, although Japan and Iceland still continue to catch whales for research and other things. Whaling is still banned, but not much can be done about illegal whaling.
When flicking through the channels on TV, Whale Wars was one of the shows that popped up. This show is about how we are trying to stop foreign conuntries from killing the whales, and while doing so we get ourselves tied up in a little war. I understand why people would want to kill whales, because it does make a lot of money, especially from the oil. What I do not understand is why people continue to kill the whales, when they are on the endangered species list. It would be a very sad thing if whales were to become extinct, and ocean life would not be the same without them. I feel that whaling should be looked at more closely, and more laws made to stop the slaughtering of whales.
Do you think whaling should be banned? Why?
What other things do you think we could do to stop people from killing whales?
What other species of animals have a similar problem, such that humans kill them for moneys sake?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/club/your_reports/newsid_1656000/1656108.stm
