Why Divers Support Countries Supporting Whaling???

[mwall04]

I consider most divers I know to be both avid conservationists and environmentalists.

I recently (today) discovered that the island nations of Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines continue to voice their support for end of the IWC whaling moratorium.

There are arguments that these nations support whaling in return for Japanese aid money.

Regardless of the reasons, I find it surprising that this doesn't bother more divers. I realize many divers were simply not aware like myself when they visit these places, but you would think those divers who do would make a bigger effort to make this known.

I personally have made the decision not to visit any of these countries until they change their position. It is a hard choice, as I've been to Antigua and St Lucia and love the islands and the people. However, I feel if more divers (and tourists) are made aware these countries want the world to resume whaling, the tourism impact of boycotts would cause these islands to quickly change their positions. Surveys on these islands consistently show the vast majority of the islanders are against whaling, so the position to resume whaling is a small, but powerful voice.

Interested in your thoughts and ideas on why this topic doesn't come up more often. I searched the boards for each of these islands and couldn't find anything about their support for whaling. Before I become an over-eager poster spreading the news to those who seek info on these countries, I'd like to hear from you.

 

[knowone]

Won't find me buying an Israeli car

 

[drbill]

Hmmm... wasn't Connecticut one of the States where US whaling was based? Of course my own state of California was where a lot of seal and sea lion hunting for oil occurred after whales were decimated and before drilling for petroleum began in earnest. Our country doesn't have much of a high road on this issue IMHO. However, I do like what you are suggesting. If environmentally conscious divers are willing to avoid countries that support the continuation of whaling, and to let their governments know why they are not going there, it might help.

 

[mwall04]

Hmmm... wasn't Connecticut one of the States where US whaling was based? Of course my own state of California was where a lot of seal and sea lion hunting for oil occurred after whales were decimated and before drilling for petroleum began in earnest. Our country doesn't have much of a high road on this issue IMHO. However, I do like what you are suggesting. If environmentally conscious divers are willing to avoid countries that support the continuation of whaling, and to let their governments know why they are not going there, it might help.

Dr Bill - Funny you mention whaling in CT, as I volunteer at the Mystic Aquarium which is right down the road from a restored whaling village.

Also learning to choose my battles. I don't know that I could do business with anyone if I tried to take the moral high ground on every issue. However, getting these Caribbean countries to stop supporting whaling seems like something that divers and vacation travelers could impact. These are not whaling countries historically. Whatever the motives of their government, their own people don't appear to support whaling. When faced with boycotts of their # 1 industries, tourism, I am confident change could take place.

Not quite sure yet how to keep this idea moving, but I certainly will ensure that divers on scuba board.com are aware when they ask questions about these nations. Probably a few vocal picket lines at travel agents or embassies making the news could make a difference too.

So much progress has been made this year with shark conservation (still a ways to go), it seems like a return to whaling would be a monumental setback for the conservation movement.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

How many divers do you know?

How many ScubaBoard members do you know?

You should have seen this thread before more than 300 posts were removed/moderated due to the seriously nasty attacks on the relatively few anti whaling posters.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/marine-life-ecosystems/318212-breaking-news-whale-wars.html

With worldwide public sentiment muting the "legal whaling" discussion to predominantly healthy whale populations, in predominantly the whaling countries own waters, there is less urgency than last year when Japan was using a loophole to give itself permission to kill whales in the Antarctic Sanctuary waters.

The situations with Blue Fin Tuna and Shark Finning are much more urgent. If you were spending my tax dollars, or my SS donations, don't wast too much on whaling.

 

[kd3pc]

mwall,

you will need to boycott the good ole' US of A then....as several indian tribes also support and are allowed to hunt whales, and they do...

YMMV

 

[mwall04]

mwall,

you will need to boycott the good ole' US of A then....as several indian tribes also support and are allowed to hunt whales, and they do...

YMMV

Well aware of these tribes. I lived in Washington state for many years and that is where most of these tribes are from outside of Alaska.

The government of the US has a strong anti-whaling stance. However, these tribes have a seperate voice at the table in the IWC.

FYI...I wouldn't spend a nickel in their tribal stores or casinos as I will now no longer travel to islands that are pro-whaling.

What cracks me up about the tribes, specifically those in Washington, is that they make their claims based on their historical "traditions". However, their last several hunts in Washington where conducted using high powered rifles to kill the whales. And I always thought the Europeans brought the guns to America. I never realized they were already here and part of the First Nation heritage. :cool2:

 

[DennisS]

Vacationers pay their $1000 a week for the resort and see these islands as a paradise. Most of them are impoverishied countries once you get away from the tourist areas, a lot of the areas lack potable drinking water and sewage treatment. These countries have very few exports, no natural resources, and a very fragile economy. They are selling their vote to the Japanese, the people that live there have communities lacking in infrastructure, the japanese money helps fund it.

You are proposing that tourists stop going there to protest the country accepting aid. This will impact local businesses and jobs and do nothing to improve the country.

What are you proposing to replace the japanes aid that builds roads, water supplies, and electrical grids.

 

[D_B]

Well aware of these tribes. I lived in Washington state for many years and that is where most of these tribes are from outside of Alaska.

The government of the US has a strong anti-whaling stance. However, these tribes have a seperate voice at the table in the IWC.

FYI...I wouldn't spend a nickel in their tribal stores or casinos as I will now no longer travel to islands that are pro-whaling.

What cracks me up about the tribes, specifically those in Washington, is that they make their claims based on their historical "traditions". However, their last several hunts in Washington where conducted using high powered rifles to kill the whales. And I always thought the Europeans brought the guns to America. I never realized they were already here and part of the First Nation heritage. :cool2:

I've seen this argument used before and wonder just what time period and weapons would you would have them use?
... flintlocks? bows? spears? .... rocks?

serously .. Native Ameriacans have always used the most advanced weapons that were suitable to the job.

... they are also not responsible for the condition of any of the whale populations and their limited take will not push any species over the edge.

and besides that, just who are we to decide just what is appropriate for them ?

 

[Zee Pet]

Hello, i come in peace.
Antigua was mentioned in this thread. Refer to my first post on this thread http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/lesser-antilles/385990-antigua.html and you will understand why i seem to have randomly popped up.