Latest News - Whaling

Georgia Bowers
Mar 12, 2016
2 min read

Here's the script from our latest news report on Open Eyes News.

(Introduction)

CONNOR MATODES: Good afternoon. I’m Connor Matodes and welcome to Open Eyes News. This week’s topic is whaling, the global issue of hunting whales primarily for their meat and oil. Although many feel very strongly against the problem, some argue that their native cultures have been hunting whales for centuries, therefore giving them the right to keep on whaling. This issue applies in Australia, and despite the Australian government strongly opposing the act of whaling in Australian and international waters, the country is struggling to act upon these ideas whilst other countries such as Japan are continuing the practise of killing whales for commercial uses.

Georgia Bowers reports live.

(Switch cameras to Bowers)

GEORGIA BOWERS: Thanks, Connor.

Anti-whaling groups have been protesting for a long time against the killing of whales for meat. The practise of killing whales for market is highly frowned upon by many cultures worldwide, but there are some countries such as Japan and Iceland who keep whaling anyhow.

I’m here with Jason Grahams to give his side of events.

Jason, when and why did you become so against the practice of whaling?

JASON GRAHAMS: I have always believed in animal welfare. I guess that’s part of the reason I’ve become an environmentalist. I believe that whales deserve the right not to be hunted down so unreasonably. Whales are gentle and peaceful, and by wiping out their population we aren’t doing them any favour.

At the moment, it’s a very one-sided relationship between whales and humans. And I guess I decided to step up and do something about this. That’s why I’m an environmentalist today.

GEORGIA BOWERS: And why is the specific situation so important to you? Why whaling, and not any other animal threat?

JASON GRAHAMS: I guess I’ve always had a thing about whales. They are beautiful creatures, they really are, and it’s really disturbing to think that there are companies out there who are so cruel towards them. There’s way to prevent them from dying out; stop whaling.

Whaling is really just another way to put meat in the market – but isn’t there already chicken, beef, lamb, pork and so many other types of meat already available to us globally? There is no point of harpooning innocent creatures for extra meat.

Surveys say that up to 40% of whale meat slaughtered in Iceland are eaten by tourists, unaware that they are even eating whale! The locals, however, barely eat whale meat, and a massive 20% of minke whale meat is completely unused, so has to be discarded. What a massive waste! We won’t be missing out on any food if the whaling industry stops.

GEORGIA BOWERS: Thank you very much for your time, Jason.

Back to you, Connor.

CONNOR MATODES: Thanks, Georgia.

Up next:

(Board)

Greyhound racing and why it should be banned.

Why so many think Australia should be a republic.

Researchers investigating coal seam gas

The dilemma on the topic of refugee

Stay tuned for more on Open Eyes News. I’m Connor Matodes, and I’ll see you later, after the break.

(Conclusion)