Anyone watch Whale Wars??

[Q9]

Y'know, I've thought about sometime buying one of those huge tankers and mounting some naval guns on the bow, maybe a turret with a single 16 in. battleship style cannon. Probably a better bet would be modified tank turrets or artillery. Then sail out and board the Sea Shepherds' ship pirate-style after chucking stink bombs and acid onto their ship. If they refuse to allow the boarding, aim the cannons low and put an end to the "Steve Irwin" once and for all. After all, one of the whalers rammed their fancy-schmancy new boat and sent her to Davy Jones.

After that, probably get arrested for using naval guns, but hopefully get bailed out by the whalers.

Dang, we need an evil laugh smiley.

Notice I did not suggest killing the fanatics, just sending their ships to Davy Jones' Locker.

Whales are not sentient! Pretty freaking smart, yes. Curious and fascinating, yes. Sentient, no. Come on, I could argue that my sister's hamster is sentient. Whales are a resource, just like every other animal. Get used to it.

A.K. Hagan, I totally agree about the deck guns. I'm sure you could never guess that from my post.

 

[Ferrret]

Violence begets more violence.

Take them to court for harassment and impediment of business. Whaling isn't completely outlawed yet, therefore they have a right to do their business and the crews attacking whaling ships are causing them difficulty to do said business. Until whaling is outlawed entirely they have no right to be deliberately attacking the whalers.
They are not law enforcement, they are vigilantes bordering on blatant terrorism.

Attacking them back will only incite them to act out more aggressively. They have claimed guilt for sinking one whaling ship already, if the whalers act out in greater violence than they already have then they anti-whalers will make a greater effort to sink more ships (which in turn further pollutes the ocean). Whalers do attempt to fend off the anti-whaling groups when they start attacking, but the whalers are placed under hypocritical scrutiny for attacking back.

Whalers are made the villain for doing their job and believed to be guilty until proven innocent. Meanwhile the anti-whalers have a large backing and sympathy for attacking whaling ships and are seen as martyrs before they are viewed as criminals.

 

[Prettiest Frog]

Quote:
All mammals are sentient. The word you are looking for is 'sapient'. Whales, being that they have a language, are quite likely sapient on some level.

 

[Q9]

Quote:
All mammals are sentient. The word you are looking for is 'sapient'. Whales, being that they have a language, are quite likely sapient on some level.

Define your terms. "Sentient" as I understand it, means the creature in question has a language, is self-aware, is capable of critical thinking, and is capable of reactions not based on instinct.

 

[Prettiest Frog]

sen·tient
–adjective
1.
having the power of perception by the senses; conscious.
2.
characterized by sensation and consciousness.




But, if that's how you want to define it, whales have a language, are capable of reactions not based on instinct, and quiet frankly, most humans aren't self-aware or capable of critical thinking.

 

[Q9]

Quote:
Alright, you got me with the point about most humans. I assure you I have encountered plenty of those.

However, it would be more accurate to say that dolphins have a language. Whales certainly have advanced communication, but it comes nowhere near being a language (with the possible exception of humpbacks). However, nothing has shown that whales are self-aware or capable of critical thinking. When you think about it, why should they be? (I mean this in a Darwinian sense; I'm not sure which perspective you come from)

At any rate, I think we can all agree that whaling is pretty pointless in the modern world. I don't see any real point. There aren't enough whales to provide any decent supply of meat, although I bet whale burgers taste good. It seems to me that whales have much more value as wildlife and/or aquarium exhibits. Still, though, if there's a demand, I really can't blame the whalers. They probably make a nice mint off of it.

 

[Prettiest Frog]

Quote:
At what point does communication become a language?

Whales, and for that matter, octopus and squid, have demonstrated incredible levels of intelligence.

So, they can communicate, demonstrate problem-solving intelligence beyond instinctive behaviors, and are possessed of emotion. Other than tool use, what standard for 'sentient/sapient' don't they meet?

Still, though, if there's a demand, I really can't blame the whalers. They probably make a nice mint off of it.

There is also a demand for illegal narcotics and the people selling those make a nice mint as well.​

 

[cluckcluck42]

It's a great show that really gets to me, it's terrible what these whalers are doing and so inspiring to see people standing up against the evil going on in this world. I don't care that those whalers are trying to make a living, when what they are doing is illegal and completely wrong and immoral. They deserve to have their livelihoods taken away. Somebody needs to protect these animals, kudos to these people for being so brave and fearless. The world needs more people like that. The laws have done nothing to stop these people, what we are doing to our oceans is terrible, and the 'laws' are a sick joke. We are killing our oceans with overfishing and hunting. It needs to end.

 

[redhen]

Whales and dolphins do have a language... they do "speak" to each other....
just because it isnt the English language does not mean it isnt a language...

 

[redhen]

SO... Is whaling illegal or not?? Is it a world wide law or something?? or is it just a USA law?? just wondering...