Whale meat can harm your health

IWC: Whale meat damages health

06/07/2012

In Japan, whale meat is still on the menus of many restaurants. Even in school canteens you like to eat the meat of the marine mammal. Despite significant international protests, countries like Japan, Norway and Greenland refuse whaling. Under the guise of scientific investigations, hunting continues on the endangered giants of the seas. The International Whaling Commission (IWC) now puts another aspect - for the protection of animals and humans - in the foreground: whale meat is a pity to health!

Whale meat contains numerous pollutants
After the species protection argument has not helped, the IWC is now trying to warn that whale meat is harmful to health. According to the resolution of the 64th annual meeting of the IWC in Panama City, which was adopted unanimously, it contains pollutants that pose a threat to human health. „It is important that the consumers in the whaling countries are informed about the risks, "said IWC Commissioner Walter Dübner from the Federal Ministry for Consumer Protection. „This is especially true for pregnant women, children and the elderly. "

International whale and animal welfare organizations support the attitude of the IWC. „The resolution helps to lower the demand for whale and dolphin meat - and that benefits both humans and animals, "said biologist Sandra Altherr from Pro Wildlife, who worked with Swiss OceanCare to develop the report two years ago „Toxic Menu“, in which the high pollution levels of whale meat were scientifically proven. Accordingly, there is a connection between the consumption of whale meat and certain diseases. That is proven by the research results. „Whales store large quantities of toxins such as mercury or polychlorinated hydrocarbons (PBCs) over their many years of life - especially species that are at the end of a complex food chain, such as belugas and pilot whales, "explains the biologist.

According to Altherr, the World Health Organization (WHO) is also called upon to address this issue. „Animal and species protection arguments have not deterred the whaling countries from hunting, "says the expert. „But the warnings of the doctors can no longer be closed off by the governments in the whaling countries. "

Japan, Norway and Iceland continue to hunt whales for commercial reasons
Japanese whalers have become a massive threat to whales in the 20th century. Under the guise of science, Japan ignores both the 1986 World Whaling Morbatory and the World „Whale sanctuary south pole army“ 1994. Iceland and Norway continue to operate commercial whaling. They are advocating for the termination of the moratorium. Greenland, as well as some indigenous peoples, are allowed to whaling, as it is traditionally important in their culture and ensures their survival. (Ag)

Picture: beppo1