Fears Commercial Whaling Ban Could Be Lifted 40 Years After It Was Introduced

There is growing concern among conservationists as a number of countries have voiced their support for legalizing commercial whaling, potentially overturning the 40-year-old ban. Recent resolutions submitted at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting sought to reopen debates on the ban, with some countries arguing that whaling could address poverty and food insecurity. The ban on commercial whaling was implemented in 1986 due to the severe decline in whale populations, with over 2.9 million whales being killed.

Commercial whaling carries significant animal welfare and environmental costs. Whales are often hunted using harpoons that explode inside them, causing immense suffering. In addition, dwindling whale populations disrupt biodiversity and contribute to the climate crisis. Conservationists warn that overturning the ban on whaling could have catastrophic consequences for whale populations, already threatened by human activities such as pollution and climate change.