[Gator113]

A number of yeas ago I had the misfortune of meeting Paul Watson and some of his crew. They’re nut’s and absolute jerks. It wouldn’t bother me if the Sea Shepherd was sent to the bottom.

Having said that, unless they are required for human food, I am against the killing of whales. I hunt and fish. I am carnivorous and a predator, but with few exceptions, I see no need to harvest whales, yet.

Now, harvesting these lowlife terrorists, even for sport, that’s another story. ;>)

[Ratman83]

The Japanese use a loophole to do research and then eat the whales, so no waste.

[katana]

On a trip to Japan last year I finally made it to the enormous Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo and there were a few locations where whale meat was displayed and sold at wholesale. It looked like a cross between large wild game (moose, for example) i.e. very dark red with white layers of fat or blubber. Later on we were at a tempura restaurant and one of the things they brought out turned out to be deep fried whale.

Tradition may be one reason why the Japanese still hunt whales, but nutritional value and amazingly delicious rich taste are another two. Like you, I would not personally ever want to harm a whale, dolphin, seal, or any other aquatic mammal. I wouldn't kill and eat a dog either, all are too intelligent for ME to knowingly put them on MY menu.

But, if an activity is legal, does not push a species to extinction (6 ships aren't going to decimate any whale species), creates something actually useful (high caloric value food) and those who oppose it do everything and more under the accepted definitions of sabotage, terrorism, and piracy, the former have IMHO every right in international waters to sink the bastards and hang any they catch from a handy yard arm.

[arthurus]

So what is the relevant difference between whales and elk? Do whales remind you too much of certain relatives?