a taste for whales

Japan is about to announce a big increase in its "scientific" whaling program. Interesting article in the Post today about the Japanese government's attempt to inculcate a taste for whales in their school children.

The Japanese are full of crap about the alleged excess population of whales. No serious scientist who isn't paid by a pro-whaling country denies the fact that whale populations are down at least 50%, maybe 90%, from the levels before industrial-scale whaling began in the 19th century. Likewise, most scientists recognize that falling fish stocks are due to human activities -- overfishing and pollution -- not due to hungry whales eating too much.

Ironically, Japanese are losing the taste for whales. Most Japanese over the age of 40 have only eaten whale as school children, and don't remember it that fondly. But, rather than let the whaling "industry" atrophy naturally, the way the buggy-whip manufacturers did, the Japanese are trying to prop it up by propagandizing elementary school kids. Classy.

Not to mention the fact that whale meat is pretty chock-full of various poisons. Whales are long-lived, large predators at the very top of the food chain -- the epitome of a being that will have mercury and other persistant pollutants in their meat and blubber.

So, enjoy that whale.