The Conservation of Whales and Dolphins: Science and Practice, edited by Mark P. Simmons and Judith D. Hutchinson, is a book I have decided to utilize as a foundation piece for my final paper. This book contains in-depth information from multiple authors, compiled in chapter format. The compilations discuss many global issues revolving around the cetacean species, such as the protection and conservation of these water mammals and the various ways that they are endangered or harmed. This book also contains information about numerous international organizations and departments that regulate and maintain whaling laws and marine-life policies. An accredited author, often holding a degree in marine or cetacean biology or the head of one of the departments or organizations mentioned, writes each section or chapter. This book is an excellent source to use as background for my researched argument paper, because it contains up-to-date historical background on whaling and the numerous, international conservation efforts put in place.
This book opens with an introduction, giving general information about whales and dolphins. Written to provide a comprehensive review of not only all of the threats to whales, but also efforts and initiatives that are working to reverse the problems the cetacean species faces. From this very basic outline of traits and qualities of these marine mammals, an understanding is reached that helps the next portions of the book make more sense in context. This book does an excellent job of illustrating how there are many overarching reasons why the decline of this species is due to natural causes as well as other human caused reasons. The presentation of the biological reasons shows the scientific aspect of why c...
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...of worldwide growth or manmade efforts, but others are due to the natural biological changes. These are all written in a statistical format, which includes information from respectable sources. Personally, all of these are important topics within the book, as they help to illustrate the overall importance of the IWC’s implemented polices, and how the polices could or have been undermined.
In conclusion, the compilations of writing in this book give me an excellent starting point for the final paper. Each section is well written and although a little wordy at times, they are fairly easy to read and understand. I believe the authors have completely valid sources that they used to compose their sections from, thus helping the book’s ethos to be significant and accurately put together.
Works Cited
The conservation of whales and dolphins: Science and Practice
“Whales provide us with the food for our bodies, bones for our tools and implements and spirits for our souls.” “We haven’t hunted the whale for 70 years but have hunted them in our hearts and in our minds.” “Whales are a central focus of our culture today as they have been from the beginning of time.”
When an intelligent animal accustomed to swimming in thousands of miles of open ocean is placed in an environment only twice its size, is separated from its species, and is forced to perform tricks, there are bound to be consequences. The captivity of these animals should be banned and National Reserves and whale tours should be used to educate the public while admiring these animals' true beauty. There are few experiences more meaningful than witnessing a killer whale enjoying the freedom of the open ocean.
Image sitting on the beach one July morning. The sun is beaming down and decide to go for a swim. As you approach the water, you see a whale unusually close. You begin to get nervous as it continues to approach the shore. However, you aren’t worried because you know that they are confined to the sea. As the whale comes near you can see it clearly. Just as you think that it will turn around, the whale walks out of the ocean!
“… building a tank the size of Rhode Island wouldn’t be large enough for a six-ton male killer whale such as Tilikum, an animal capable of swimming 100 miles a day,” states an anonymous whale expert. Whales have been in captivity since 1861 when P.T. Barnum displayed the first live whale that was captured in Canada. However, Barnum had no idea how to care for the mammal and it died after only a week in captivity. (Animal Legal and Historical Center, 2014) Being up close with killer whales could give us some clues about how they interact with each other, including physical behavior, their dialect, and how their pods work together as a family unit. However, what we are finding is that whales who belong in the wild are suffering in captivity. Killer whales have no record of ever harming a human being in the wild. In captivity, there have been many incidents of killer whales harming or even killing their trainers. What would cause them to do this in captivity, but not in the wild? They have been known to resort to aggression toward themselves and each other, in what scientist believe to be a stress induced behavior. (Animal Legal and Historical Center, 2014) Evidence against having these wild animals in captivity is increasing and we need reevaluate the value of capturing and holding killer whales for our educational purposes, enjoyment, and profit.
Shirihai, H. and B. Jarrett (2006). Whales, Dolphins and Other Marine Mammals of the World. Princeton, Princeton University Press. p.185-188.
This paper will illustrate a brief summary of two chapters and give a critical analysis of the readings. In addition I would conclude the paper by briefly discussing my opinion on the readings.
The origin of modern day whales, a mystery that has puzzled paleontologists for years, may have just been solved with the discovery of an ankle bone. This discovery might sound simple and unimportant, but the bones of these ancient animals hold many unanswered questions and provide solid proof of origin and behavior. The relationship between whales and other animals has proven to be difficult because whales are warm-blooded, like humans, yet they live in the sea. The fact that they are warm-blooded suggests that they are related to some type of land animal. However, the questions of exactly which animal, and how whales evolved from land to water, have remained unanswered until now.
The latest animal rights issue to hit the public is a whale of a controversy. For decades, the public has enjoyed visiting SeaWorld and taking in mesmerizing displays of aquatic performance by orcas, the largest species of dolphins, and their trainers. Recent events have stirred up a media uproar over the safety of these creatures and their trainers. Much of what the public knows about the maltreatment of these creatures comes from a documentary released in 2013 called “Blackfish”. The breeding and captivity of killer whales for entertainment purposes poses a threat not only to the whales, but also the trainers who interact with them.
I agree with the Norwegian and Japanese positions on permitting the hunting of non-endangered species of whales as a cultural exemption. Both of these cultures have been whaling for thousands of years. One stipulation that I would add in order to qualify for a cultural exemption is that the hunting should take place in a historically accurate manner. For the Japanese, this would mean using nets to catch the whales.
Killer whales are in danger when they are in captivity. When they are kept in their small cages, they have no where to go or run and hide when they sense fear or tension. While in the wild they have thousands of miles to escape incase tension builds up with another tribe of orcas (killer whales). Here’s something to think about, Why should killer whales stay in captivity after you hear about the violence they are doing to one another and innocent humans? In the movie “Blackfish” it shows trainers working with the marine mammals, and it shows the violence and the aggravation in the movie also. People don't understand that killer whales need to be where they belong because living in an environment that the orcas have no clue about can be dangerous for them. Orcas that live in th...
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society "The Makah Whale Hunt" 02 Online. Internet 3 Febuary 2003. Available www:seashepherd.org/media_info/asp.
The quest to gain international agreement on ethical and legal norms for regulation of whaling has had a long and troubled history. The modern phase of global concern over whaling ethics and conservationist management originated in 1946, when the International Convention on Regulation of Whaling was signed. Thus, the International Whaling Commission was created. The International Whaling Commission was designed to control and mandate the whaling industry. From it’s beginning as simply a whalers club with scientific guidance, to the current day conservationist body, the IWC has undergone many revisions and transformations since the start.
Orcas, or killer whales are majestic giants of the sea. They are actually the largest type of dolphin. They have long black bodies with distinct white patches near their eyes. A killer whale can be up to 32 feet or more in length, and weigh up to 12,000 pounds. Females are a bit smaller, but live longer (Gorman). The name “killer whale” apparently came not because it is a vicious whale, but because it preys on whales. They do not have any natural predators, and they are considered the “top dog” of the ocean. Not even the great white shark stands a chance against these superb killers. “Unlike sharks, killer whales are cautious hunters, sometimes spending hours harassing a 1,000-pound sea lion so it can easily be drowned” (Francis). Orcas use many hunting tactics that are unique to their species, which is what makes them invincible.
Killer whales live in almost every ocean. Though they are often found in cold, coastal waters, killer whales can be found from the polar regions to the Equator. The killer whale is a carnivor. These different groups may prey on different animals and use different techniques to catch them. Killer whales hunt in deadly pods which consist of family groups of up to 40 individuals. They feast on marine mammals such as seals, sea lions, and even other whales. There are two kinds of Killer whales, the resident and the transient. Resident pods prefer fish, while transient pods catch marine mammals. All pods use effective, cooperative hunting techniques that some liken to the behavior of wolf packs . While hunting like wolves, killer whales could surround a school of salmon and even overwhelm a larger whale (National Geographic). One killer whale was even reported to have even traveled some 177 km up the Columbia River in search of fish In the Arctic, killer whales eat about 67% fishe, 27% marine mammals and 6% squid. In the Bering Sea near Alaska, they eat about 65% fishe, 20% squids and 15% marine mammals (Marine Bio).
Rowat, D., and K. S. Brooks. 2012. A review of the biology, fisheries and conservation of the whale shark Rhincodon typus. Jour. Of. Fish. Bio. 80:1019-1056. (DOI:10.1111/j.1095-8649.2012.03252.x).