Why Walk for Whales?
The ban on commercial whaling is one of the greatest conservation victories of all time. Before it became law in 1986, whaling had brought entire species to the brink of extinction.
Despite the ban on commercial whaling, three countries still defy public opinion and continue to hunt whales for profit. Norway, Iceland and Japan kill hundreds of whales a year, including endangered species. They all want to find new international markets for whale products and they work hard to overturn the whaling ban at the annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC).
Giving in to the whalers now on these issues means many more thousands of intelligent animals may be killed. Animals who like us have culture, rituals, traditions, strong family bonds, a sense of self and the ability to suffer unimaginable pain at the end of a harpoon.
We cannot let this happen! Join a Walk for Whales near you and raise funds to stop whaling! The money you raise will help us:
- Attend meetings of the IWC.
- Build relationships with governments whose votes we need to influence.
- Continue to lead international groups to stop a resumption of trade in whale products.
- Run protest campaigns in and against countries that conduct or support commercial whaling.
- Investigate the use of whale meat and other products, the wastage, and the subsidies that sustain a declining industry.
- Work towards a permanent end to commercial whaling.
Whaling is cruel, unsustainable and unnecessary. Since the ban was introduced over 30,000 whales have been killed by Japan, Iceland and Norway alone. If the ban is lifted, how many more will die?
Join a walk near you and raise funds to help keep the ban in place.