Japan Launching 1st Humpback Whale Hunt since '63

[Pebbles]

TOKYO - Humpback whales are in the cross-hairs again.

Japan's whaling fleet will leave port shortly for the South Pacific with orders to kill up to 50 humpbacks — the first known large-scale hunt for the whales since a 1963 moratorium put them under international protection.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071116/...ting_humpbacks (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071116/ap_on_re_as/japan_hunting_humpbacks)

I have seen videos of the Japanese hunting dolphins and whales and it seems particularly brutal. I feel so bad for these beautiful, intelligent and endangered creatures.:sad:

[Fargo...really]

I am embarrassed to say that I ate Minke whale last week in Iceland and really enjoyed it. They also eat those cute little puffins that you see on Animal Planet but I didn't get a chance to order one this trip.

(what's that pain suddenly emanating from my backside? almost feels like slings and arrows)

[VeryBlueEyes]

seems like the whales have suffered enough, i would prefer they were allowed to exist. Sailing to cataline years ago, i happened apon a pod of whales. They were so much larger than the 40' sailboat i was sailing. at first i was concerned they would accidentally bump into the hull of my sloop and send me to the bottom. then one of the whales came along side and looked into my eyes with it eyes. i knew they meant me no harm and suddenly i was at ease with these gentle giants of the sea. All to suddenly they were gone as quickly as they arrived, i missed them.

[VeryBlueEyes]

it is amazing what you see while in a sailboat compared to a motor boat.