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Global concern for whales is on the rise... more than 20,000 of these majestic mammals have been slaughtered for commercial purposes in the last 20 years.

Whale watching is the world's fastest growing ecotourism business, bringing in over US$1.25 billion worldwide each year. It's truly magical. The experience is a tourist's dream. Besides being wonderful to watch, whales provide enjoyment for humans in other ways. The songs of humpback whales fill many CDs of modern and new wave music producing even more money from these marine giants.

Those opposed to the killing of whales were recently given a chance to discuss the economic benefits of having more whales in the oceans. Delegates from over 40 nations, including the U.S., gathered in Berlin during June 2003 for the International Whaling Commission's annual meeting. The battle over whaling rages between the commercial fishermen, who make an ever-reduced income from hunting whales, and the humanitarian efforts of conservation groups.

Those who favor banning whaling suggest that ecotourism - hunting whales with cameras instead of spear guns - may be a saner solution to the economic problems of the whaling industry. In addition to the financial difficulties that whale hunting has experienced in the past few decades, it has become completely unnecessary. For example, we no longer use whale oil for light, and whale meat is significantly less in demand in countries that used to consume large amounts of it, like Japan.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is partnering with local whale watching companies to promote the protection of these awesome and gentle, creatures of the sea. Animal rights groups hope that one outcome of the international conference will be a giant step towards the end of commercial whaling.

IFAW campaigns to change policies and practices by promoting economically viable alternatives to reduce the commercial exploitation of wildlife. IFAW is also responsible for developing local whale watching guidelines, creating educational material for schoolchildren, and distributing safe operating information for recreational and commercial boaters.

For more information on helping save the whales, go to www.ifaw.org.

Source: Newstream.com for IFAW

Related Links:

Whale-Watching Web

World Wide Whales

WhaleNet

also see in Travel -> Alaksa | New Hampshire | Oregon

Iceland Whale Watching