Well we never, A former Labour PM and a man of letters Geoffrey Palmer realises that you have to break a few eggs to make an omlette - even in diplomatic circles.
We have always believed that the solution to the percieved problem of Whaling would be found in a diplomatic solution that would see both sides give some ground. Court would be crap. The only winners would be the lawyers.
We think that allowing whaling on a commercial basis but deminishing over time is a good solution. About 30 years would be good.
Some points to remember...
Point 1 - the Japanese have a legal right to go whaling
Point 2 - the Japanese are indigenous whale hunters
Point 3 - many of the whale species can be harvested sustainably.
Point 4 - Westerners see Whales as the sacred cows of the sea.
Point 5 - some species that the Japanese harvest may benefit from a harvest moritorium
Point 6 - We like trading with the Japanese
Point 7 - The whales would be the ultimate beneficiaries of a solution.
So we reckon that Sir Geoffrey needs another knighthood if he can pull this off.
Go the whalers!
Note the picture is of bowhead whale harvest in Alaska.. Where it is legal and politicians there support the indigenous harvest.
UPDATE :
And a very rational point of view from economist Brent Wheeler - Here
And NOT PC has a question about prioritisation of endangered species here
Posts
