Case Study - One species of whale, the blue whale is the largest animal ever kno

Question

Case Study - One species of whale, the blue whale is the largest animal ever known to inhabit the Earth. Unfortunately, these enormous whales, as well as other whale species, have been hunted almost to the point of extinction. A look at the history of agreements between nations to regulate whale hunting illustrates both the problems and successes of international cooperation. The International Whaling Commission (IWC) has instituted various quotas and controls over the years, to limit the harvesting of whales. In 1994, the IWC created a permanent whale sanctuary in Antarctica. Even if the current worldwide ban is lifted, the waters of Antarctica, which are the largest feeding ground for whales in the world, will remain off-limits to commercial whaling vessels. The largest whaling nations are strongly opposed to this agreement.

Investigate the controversy surrounding the whaling industry.

a. What is the ecological niche of a whale? Why is it important to limit hunting of whales?

b. Describe the historical disagreements between countries surrounding the quotas of whales that could be killed. Why do you think these countries have such varying viewpoints?

c. What measures could international organizations take to enforce international agreements without starting wars?

d. Nations are very protective of their sovereignty and their right to manage their own affairs. They don't want to be into a position that permits other countries to tell them what to do. How has the desire to protect sovereignty affected efforts to protect whales?

Explanation / Answer

a. Blue whales are found in every ocean, ranging from the equator to the ice edges in the North and South poles. They share its environment with thousands of marine organisms, including all cetaceans. Of these organisms, blue whales in almost all cases only eat krill. Additionally, the only known attacker of the blue whale in the ocean is the killer whale. The number of whales has dramatically declined over the last several centuries, mainly due to hunting. These large animals are important parts of ocean ecosystems and they are also highly intelligent. Therefore, their demise is a concern for many citizens, fishermen, biologists, policy makers, and politicians around the world.

b. Japan has been whaling under scientific research permits.Anti-whaling countries and lobbies accuse Japan's scientific whaling of being a front for commercial whaling. The Japanese government argues that the refusal of anti-whaling nations to accept simple head counts of whale population as a measure of recovery of whale species justifies its continuing studies on sex and age of population distributions. Both the parties have varying viewpoints because japanese are starving and eat whales and use there fat for oil, etc.Meanwhile, USA and europeans are have food easily available.

c. International organizations can be voluntary international organization and not be backed up by treaty. Therefore, this will have a substantial practical limitations on its authority. First, any member countries are free to simply leave the organization and declare themselves not bound by it if they so wish. Second, any member state may opt out of any specific regulation by lodging a formal objection. Third the organization will have no ability to enforce any of its decisions through penalty imposition.

d.the desire to protect sovereignty has depleted a number of whale populations to a significant extent, and several whales species were severely endangered.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse C
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.