Whaling (Issues in society series)

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Unregulated commercial whaling has had a major impact
on the world’s whale populations. In spite of a complete
commercial whaling ban imposed by the International
Whaling Commission (IWC) in 1986, whales are still being
killed on a daily basis by traditional whaling nations such
as Japan, Norway and Iceland. And despite broad global concern for the
depleting whale populations, there is still ongoing debate among IWC
members over if and how whaling should continue. This book examines
the history of whaling and focuses on Australia’s prominent role in trying
to secure a compromise from the whaling nations, especially Japan,
with whom diplomatic relations have become strained. The book also
details Australian and international efforts to protect whales through
sanctuaries, research and legal frameworks. Aboriginal subsistence
whaling, ‘scientific’ whaling and commercial whaling ... what is entailed
in each of these practices? Is there room for political compromise, or
do these giants of the ocean need a globally binding conservation
commitment to survive in the world’s already over-fished oceans?