Whaling: Consequences and Benefits - Environmental Science

This presentation delves into the practice of whaling, examining its historical context and the two suborders of whales: toothed and baleen. It outlines the origins of whaling, its evolution into a widespread activity, and associated statistics. The presentation explores the severe consequences of whaling, including health concerns related to whale meat consumption, exposure to contaminants, and potential developmental disorders in children. Conversely, it highlights the environmental benefits of whales, such as their role in stabilizing aquatic ecosystems, contributing to a healthier environment, and facilitating ecological growth. The presentation concludes with a reflection on the importance of whale conservation, recommendations for governmental action, and a call to preserve whales to maintain ecological balance and marine life. The presentation emphasizes the negative impacts of whale meat on human health.

CHARITY
PRESENTATION

Table of content
• Introduction
• Whaling
• Consequences
• Benefits to the Environment

Table of content
• Reflection
• Recommendation
• Conclusion
• References

Introduction
Whales are aquatic mammals belonging to order cetacea, which is an order involving
porpoises, dolphins and whales. There are two suborders in which whales are divided:
Toothed and Baleen whales. These mammals live their entire life in the water and breath air
through their blowholes, which is different from fishes which use gills for respiration.

Whaling
Whaling refers to a process of hunting of whales and killing them for scientific, recreational
and commercial purposes. Seeing the practices of today's wildlife protection organisations
and committees, this practice has been suspended in 1982 by International Whaling
Commission.

ORIGIN OF WHALING
Maritime communities consider whaling as a very prominent tradition and their integral part
of their societies. It began as a mere coastal activities. To enhance this tradition and expand
the practices, weapons like 'drogue' were created which were used to hunt small whales.

WHALING STATISTICS
With time, whaling became a wide adopted
activity and was practised in almost every part of
the world. Major countries like Iceland, Norway
and Japan have been continuing this practice in
recent
years.

Consequences
• With high rise in whaling in recent years, there are also consequences that are widely
analysed and acknowledged. These consequences are mentioned below:
• There are various health concerns regarding which various Healthcare organisations have
issues reports regarding the adverse effects of consuming whale meat (blubber). There
are various Caribbean nations like Canada and Russia as well as a in parts of Alaska
where this meat is consumed by public.

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• Expose to Contamination: Individuals consuming blubber are exposing themselves to
various contaminants which could be severe for their health.
• Rise in Heath Issues: Eating such contaminated food has always been healthy. There
are negative impacts of consuming blubber.

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• Threat to Infants: There have been research by organisations like Faroe Islanders,
results of which is showed that developmental disorders in children whose mothers,
during their pregnancy, consumed blubber and meat of pilot whale regularly.
• Threat to Tourist Health: Iceland is one of the major countries that provide whale meat
to individuals.

Benefits to the Environment
• Apart from human beings, whales are an important part of the environment as well. They
too contribute in enhancing positive environmental practices within the seas. There are
various threats associated with whaling which are discussed below:
• Stabilizing Aquatic Ecosystem: Whales are an important part of the aquatic life. These
mammals contribute in preservation and stability of environment.

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• Healthier Environment: Each living specie has a role in the environment. There are
various impacts that could be witnessed if any organism extinct.
• Recycling: There are various ecological roles played by whales which are important in
aquatic ecosystems. Processes like whaling would reduce the release of fecal plumes
which help in plankton growth.