The demand for whale blubber has surged on despite the fact that it is not so necessary to use it as a base material for modern day products. Disregard for the whale by fishermen and organizations alike in international waters does not help the situation, indeed it exasperates it. The ongoing slaughter of the whale for its meat and by-products, such as oil, perpetuates this situation. Despite this, there are some who still need to hunt the whale.
Whale blubber accounts for a huge percentage of a whale`s body mass. For example, a Bowhead weighing 5 tons will consist of approximately 1 ton of blubber. This fatty layer between the muscle tissues and the skin of all whale species continues to be a very necessary catch for the survival of whole communities. An example, is the Eskimos of Alaska.
The oils and foods that can be produced from whale blubber will sustain the Eskimo communities throughout the cold months. The collective experience and expertise of these hunters has been passed down from generation to generation, and is vital to its continued success. There are only a few Eskimo communities that presently exist. About nine are said to be activley continuing the traditional ways of whale hunting, even in a time when most countries are fiercely opposed to them.
The eskimo as we know it may disappear out of sight if serious consideration is not given to their plight. This is a people steeped in history and culture. It would be sad to lose them through inaction or because of decisions that effectively act as sanctions against them. Changing climates and weather patterns have effected the numbers of whales and therefore their food and supplies.
Luckliy, the Bowhead population figures are consistently increasing year on year, moving away from possible extinction. This can be partly be attributed to the intervention of the Alaskan authorities who have helped improve the Eskimo strategies for hunting whales for their blubber and meat.
Governments of all nations need to stand together and fight for the survival of the whale. And in this day and age there must be less damaging alternatives to the source from which we presently plunder.
Whale blubber accounts for a huge percentage of a whale`s body mass. For example, a Bowhead weighing 5 tons will consist of approximately 1 ton of blubber. This fatty layer between the muscle tissues and the skin of all whale species continues to be a very necessary catch for the survival of whole communities. An example, is the Eskimos of Alaska.
The oils and foods that can be produced from whale blubber will sustain the Eskimo communities throughout the cold months. The collective experience and expertise of these hunters has been passed down from generation to generation, and is vital to its continued success. There are only a few Eskimo communities that presently exist. About nine are said to be activley continuing the traditional ways of whale hunting, even in a time when most countries are fiercely opposed to them.
The eskimo as we know it may disappear out of sight if serious consideration is not given to their plight. This is a people steeped in history and culture. It would be sad to lose them through inaction or because of decisions that effectively act as sanctions against them. Changing climates and weather patterns have effected the numbers of whales and therefore their food and supplies.
Luckliy, the Bowhead population figures are consistently increasing year on year, moving away from possible extinction. This can be partly be attributed to the intervention of the Alaskan authorities who have helped improve the Eskimo strategies for hunting whales for their blubber and meat.
Governments of all nations need to stand together and fight for the survival of the whale. And in this day and age there must be less damaging alternatives to the source from which we presently plunder.
About the Author:
Tim Link has been intrigued by the relationship between Eskimos and whales ever since there was a ban on commercial whale harvesting.
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