SKIEN (Dagbladet): – Leonardo DiCaprio was at the front of the Titanic in the film. I think he does that in this case too, says Støre in response to DiCaprio’s attack on Norwegian whaling.
TV 2 today discussed a new activist film that opposes whaling in Norway and Iceland. On the same day, Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio also spoke out against whaling and has a sour jab at Norway.
Norway, together with Iceland and Japan, are the only countries in the world that still have commercial whaling.
– Norway is far better at managing resources in a sustainable way than Leonardo DiCaprio and Hollywood, Støre asserts.
– Norway gets respect
The Prime Minister believes that it is a widespread misunderstanding that all whales are threatened. The minke whale has a population of 100,000-150,000 animals in Norwegian areas.
– Norway takes this very seriously, has mapped the stocks and acted according to international guidelines. This year we have a quota of 1,000 animals, and as of 22 August 460 animals had been caught. There are nine boats participating in the catch, says Støre.
– Is it an image problem for Norway that we still have whaling?
– I became aware of this problem in the 90s when I worked with Gro and there were large campaigns. The wise line is to have respect for the species and explain why management of the sea is right, says Støre.
– The whale eats a lot of the fish we otherwise harvest. To draw a line over its capture because it has “hyphenated whale” in its name is wrong. I think Norway gets respect for the way we do it.
CONTROVERSIAL: Capture of minke whales in 1993 when Norway was strongly condemned internationally for whaling. Photo: Ingeborg Hauglid / NTB / NTB Show more
Strong accusations
Støre also points out that the catch is important along the coast.
– This is not a major economic activity in Norway, but for some coastal communities it is important and the government will call about it.
In the activist film TV 2 discusses, it is claimed that it took 21 minutes to kill a minke whale. This repels the whaler across the channel. He claims the images are manipulated.
ON THE EDGE: Leonardo DiCaprio with Kate Winslet in “Titanic” from 1997. Støre believes he has a great height in the debate about whaling as well. Photo: 20th Century Fox/Paramount/Kobal/REX Show more
The Institute of Marine Research states that the euthanasia method used in Norway is humane, if they are hit correctly.
– We eat meat and fish that have been harvested at some point, which is not exactly the way it is served on our tables. It is important that catching takes place in a responsible way that does not expose animals to greater pain and strain than necessary, says Støre.
2023-09-05 20:47:43
#Shout #DiCaprio
