I believe that anti-whaling activism is a Western fad used by the Western corporate media in order to divert the public from more important issues. Think of it, anti-whaling activism is both convenient and highly appealing to the mass. It does not require to make important concessions in one's standard of living and cetaceans, which include whales, are considered to be gentle and highly intelligent creatures. It must be stressed that in rich Western countries where people enjoy abundant food supply and eating whales is not a part of their culture, it is easy to dismiss those practices as barbaric. One may point out that the Japanese also enjoy abundant food, which is true, but it must be stressed that Japan is very dependent on food import. It is in fact the largest net importer of food in the world. What is more, if you consider the scientific evidences approved by the scientific community, we observe that many species of whales are recovering from past over-harvesting and that they are now increasing and abundant in numbers. For instance, the Scientific committee agrees that humpback whales are increasing at about 10% per year. According to these scientific estimates, whaling would be sustainable under strict regulations. It is true that Japan uses science as an excuse to conduct commercial whaling; however, if whaling proves indeed to be sustainable, there are little arguments against this practice. Also, it appears to me that these anti-whaling activists are either fanatical terrorists or some clueless trend-followers. The reason they appear to me that way is that there are far more important issues they seem to ignore, for instance, the unfair trade protectionism practiced by Western countries on food commodities. According to Center for a New Europe (CNE), 6,600 people die every day because of the trading rules of the European Union (EU). Although, Japan also subsidizes its domestic food industry, it must be reminded that Japan is the largest net importer of food commodities; whereas the EU and the United States are net exporter of food commodities. Japanese food subsidies are mainly aimed towards strengthening their rice industry. Food security is also a much deeper concern in Japan than in Europe or the United States given historical and geographical circumstances. However, Japan is still a net importer of rice importing over 600,000 tons of rice according to a 1999 U.S. report. That being said, the EU and the United States should lift trade restrictions against food commodities produced in developing countries and reduce food subsidies to help them develop and reach food self-sufficiency till at least they become net importers of food. I believe that anti-whale activism has too much media attention. I would go even as far as to say that there is a deliberate amplification of the phenomenon propped up by the western corporate media. While I would say that the morality of whaling should be open for debate, the fanaticism of some activists involved in illegal attacks are illegitimate and inappropriate, especially as there are far more important issues that need to be addressed.

You seem to say the following:

1) The whaling-issue is a diversion used to divert the attention of the public from more serious issues.
I think that the media often focuses on not so important issues that can range from Paris Hilton's latest boyfriend to illegal immigrants (or something else). Whaling might not be the most important issue, but as an animal-lover myself I think that it is an important issue. Whether or not this important issue is used to drown more important issues I don't know. I don't know if it's all a big conspiracy. You have proof?

2) Eating whale is not part of western culture and that is the reason why they frown on it. They are forcing their eating values on others.
Really? I thought the argument was that whales are on the verge of extinction because of unrestricted whaling. I've always had the impression that it was to prevent whales from dying out rather than because people don't like other people eating whale. Again if you're reaching out for some ulterior motive that really explains their reserved attitude against whaling, then it's either proof on the table or pure speculation.

3) People don't have to import food in the west. Japan however does have to import food. Therefore Japan has a justified reason to eat whales.
Even if I grant you that Japan necessarily has to import food, why does that give them reason to catch whales? Can they not import beef, pork, chicken or duck? Why must it be whale meat?

4) It's part of Japan's food culture to have whale.
That's fine, but if you want to keep that food in your future then whaling should be restricted to prevent extinction.

5) If whaling is sustainable there is no good arguments against eating whale specifically.
True. If it's sustainable, then there should be no problem with controlled limited whaling. At least no more problems about eating whale than eating any other animal.

6) There are far more important issues like the unfair trade protectionism practiced by Western countries on food commodities. According to Center for a New Europe (CNE), 6,600 people die every day because of the trading rules of the European Union (EU).
Yes, and that should have more focus. But one important issue does not neutralize another important issue. At best the conclusion is only that the others issues need more attention, not that the whaling issue should have none.

7) While I would say that the morality of whaling should be open for debate, the fanaticism of some activists involved in illegal attacks are illegitimate and inappropriate, especially as there are far more important issues that need to be addressed.
The way that some activists deal with the issue is not appropriate. That does not take away the importance of the issue, nor does it say something about all activists against whaling.

If whaling is sustainable then I think that I'm with you as much as I can be about killing animals. Everything else is more like speculation and ranting, than good arguing.

I agree with you. Green peace activists are a bunch of fanatical idiotic hippies.

aerain agreeing with himself. you could have at least posted on a user name that wasnt almost identical to that of the OP's.

anyway, i think it's good that westerners are striving so hard for animal conservation. because they've been responsible for so much extinction, they're kind of obligated to fight the hardest against it as a way of at least slightly making things right.

I disagree with you that its good by I agree that it was they who brought most animals to the brink of extinction. The problem now is they impose their ideas about conservation on everyone.

BTW: I have a second hand science Encyclopedia circa 1953 that says " Even though many believe Japanese fisheries are the most productive in the world, It is in actuality the Americans who are at the top of this industry. Indeed, the total tonnage harvested by the U.S. exceeds the catch of the next three highest nations combined." Amazing how they were proud of this back then.

If a troll said it, it must be true.

obvious troll is obvious

Strange how similar you two are. Both just joined. Both with Anti-trolling pictures yet both started trolling from their first post.

Could it be the two are the same person?

Well done, Captain Obvious!