Whale Wars: Viking Shores

[Seifer]

I've never kept up with the Whale Wars show on Animal Planet, but I do know that in earlier seasons they would try to prevent the pirating of whale meat (People killing whales outside of the designated hunting areas). However, this new season is all about them sailing to (I'm guessing) a particular patch of islands and trying to stop the people there from killing whales.

From the commercials, it was made to seem as if the island locals killed whales for sport or because it was a custom or ritual, but I caught an episode tonight and I was surprised to find that it's really not like that. From what I saw, the people of the island use whale meat as their primary source of food. The whales aren't endangered, and have actually been traveling to the island for centuries. The entire town will come together, catch and slaughter whales, and then share all the edible parts among themselves. They use what they can, and toss the inedible parts away. (Makes sense.)

I found myself agreeing with the locals rather than the Whale Wars people. Yes, they may be killing whales, but they're killing them for food, not for sport. One of the men they interviewed said that he had enough dried whale meat stored away to feed his family for a year. When you live on an island with frigid waters, I'd imagine being able to feed your family comfortably for an entire year is a wonderful feeling.

I say, if the islanders aren't breaking any whaling laws and are using them for food, then the Whale Wars people have no right to bust their way in and start throwing a tantrum.

[SongsOfDragons]

Isn't that the Faeroe Islands or something? Halfway between Scotland and Iceland I think. I read about those a long while ago.

Please don't tell me these pretentious twats are hassling the poor people just for eating. They can't base their diet off any source of protein because there isn't any around!! I don't see them spending the islands' entire GDP on importing beef just to please a bunch of squawking environmentals.

I don't like and will never agree with some people putting animals above a starving community. They have to eat and eat whatever is cheap and available; importing may be impossible and/or impractical, and trying to make some stupid sensationalist show about it is just showing how ignorant and offensive these people are. Go back to the sport areas and leave the islanders alone!

[Seifer]

Actually, that's exactly who I'm talking about (I couldn't remember the name of the island). The weird part about the show is that it's (I guess) supposed to show the Whale Wars people in a positive light, but it actually does the exact opposite. You see interviews with the islanders and they talk about how they eat whales to survive and how there's not really another option. They do state that they understand that slaughtering whales looks horrible from the outside because the ocean turns red with blood, but they give a reasonable explanation: they kill the whales in the water because that's the only place to kill a whale. (It's not like the whales will beach themselves and ring a dinner bell.)

There was one scene where environmentalists found some whale blubber/skin in a dumpster and started crying over it. I can understand being upset that a whale died, but the parts they found were apparently the parts that are inedible and can't be used for anything productive.

[Gravekeeper]

Whale Wars has never shown them in a positive light. They only *think* they're in a positive light. But its always been more like Twats At Sea: Operation Pretencious Cunt.

[lordlundar]

Surprising. In the past they always avoided bordered territories to avoid nautical law. (within 200mi of shoreline is considered part of that country, outside of it is international waters) With this it can be considered a criminal act.

[Silverharp]

Whale Wars has never shown them in a positive light. They only *think* they're in a positive light. But its always been more like Twats At Sea: Operation Pretencious Cunt.

You just won 10 internets

[SongsOfDragons]

Whale Wars has never shown them in a positive light. They only *think* they're in a positive light. But its always been more like Twats At Sea: Operation Pretencious Cunt.

XD

*also applauds*

When it comes to animal-centric OH NOES OWWIES programmes, I prefer watching Animal Cops X Place - and even that can sometimes be awfully eye-rollingly simpering in places. Rolf Harris' Animal Hospital and Monkey Business/Life are muuuuuuch better - the latter especially, I remember Alison Cronin saying they do not and will not get into the arguments over animal testing, they just come to give the monkeys a nice new retirement bungalow. Very savvy there and the commentary is just hilarious.

[NorthernZel]

Hm, so they're trying to get to the Faroe Islands again? Last time they attempted that, they got rounded up and escorted to international waters very quickly. I have some family up there, they begin to laugh when reminded of the last time the Sea Shepherd tried to protest.

Please don't tell me these pretentious twats are hassling the poor people just for eating. They can't base their diet off any source of protein because there isn't any around!! I don't see them spending the islands' entire GDP on importing beef just to please a bunch of squawking environmentals.

Actually, the Faroe Islands DO import a lot of food nowadays, however pilot whale meat is still an essential source of protein. It may however change, since pilot whale meat has begun to contain amounts of mercury and other toxic metals (due to pollution) and already is not recommended for children and pregnant women.

[Silverharp]

I believe South Park said it best: "Whale Wars! something finally happens!"
Paul Watson is not known for his well thought out schemes, mainly confronting armed boats in international waters with only a camera and "We see you!" as his and his people's defense.
Of course, shooting a gun off camera and then screaming that you've been shot is a good idea in his mind, as well....

[Tanasi]

I watch the show only in hopes that someone(s) will beat the living crap out of these Sea Shepard folk. Someday they'll step on the wrong toes and they'll find their ships on the bottom and them in a life raft (if they're lucky.)
They say that they have the right to enforce international law and especially so if no one else is going to do so. They rammed a tuna net in the Med costing the fishing boat their whole catch.
The best I can about Paul Watson is he's a pretenious prick and the sooner he's behind bars the better.

[Nyoibo]

I believe he's been arrested.

[Andara Bledin]

Indeed.

Arrested in Germany on a Costa Rican warrant for attempted murder an alleged navigation offense.

Article at the Sydney Morning Herald
Updated article at SMH


^-.-^

[Silverharp]

"and has pointed to "powerful enemies" of Sea Shepherd's campaigns."
Ah, the conspiracy theory! It has nothing to do with the fact that this guy is a glory hogging douchebag with a history of stupid and dangerous maneuvers and actions.

[SongsOfDragons]

I've been having to mute the ENDLESS adverts for this POS whenever I watch Discovery. I so dearly, dearly want to rip that man's chin off to get him to shut the goddamn hell up.