– I think it is strange that a prime minister steps in and defends a narrow business interest that causes animal suffering and death, says veterinarian and head of NOAH, Siri Martinsen, to Dagbladet.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on Tuesday lashed out at Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio and other activists who accuse Norway of animal cruelty.
Dagbladet has previously discussed the new documentary about whaling in Norway, which claims to have uncovered sensational findings about the controversial industry.
DEATH FIGHT OF WHALES: On Tuesday 29 August, NOAH, together with ESPA (Endangered Species Protection Agency), launched the documentary “Whale Wash”. Video: NOAH, ESPA Show more
On the same day that the documentary was released, DiCaprio took to Instagram where he made a sour jab at Norway.
COMMITTED TO THE ENVIRONMENT: Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio calls for an end to whaling. Photo: Screenshot / Instagram Show more
– Norway can manage resources in a sustainable way far better than Leonardo DiCaprio and Hollywood, Støre stated on Tuesday.
ENGAGED: Actor Leonardo DiCaprio has become involved in Norwegian whaling. Photo: Valery Hache / AFP / NTB Show more
The leader of NOAH has problems with the Prime Minister’s definition of sustainability.
Ignores new knowledge
– Støre’s portrayal of Norway as a country that “knows” sustainability in relation to wild animals is pathetic.
That’s what Martinsen says and explains that the population is not safe, even though minke whales are not red-listed.
– Does not hang on the grip
At the same time that the Prime Minister wants to portray whaling as sustainable, the leader of NOAH believes that he is ignoring new knowledge about how important whales are to the ocean’s ecosystems, among other things.
– IMPORTANT: Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre says it is important that trapping takes place in a responsible manner that does not expose animals to greater pain and stress than necessary. Photo: Hans Arne Vedlog / Dagbladet Show more
– It is objectionable that Støre tries to paint a glossy picture that minke whales are safe and that we do not need to be careful, while research reveals that whales are exposed to many threats – including this species of whale, claims Martinsen.
According to Fisheries and Oceans Minister Bjørnar Skjæran, Norwegian whaling follows strict rules, and there are high requirements for training for those involved in whaling.
– Norwegian whaling encounters many myths, which do not correspond to reality. We are once again seeing an example of that, writes Skjæran in an e-mail to Dagbladet.
– GOOD FOOD: Fisheries and Oceans Minister Bjørnar Skjæran believes that whales are fantastically good food. Photo: Torstein Bøe / NTB Show more
He claims that Norway is far ahead when it comes to effective trapping methods and animal welfare.
In an argument: – Completely wrong
– Hanging again
Støre also pointed out that the whale eats a lot of the fish we otherwise harvest.
– Støre still clings to an outdated opinion that whales should have a negative effect on the sea and “eat a lot of fish”, Martinsen asserts.
According to her, the reality is that the whales contribute to more fish and more life in the sea through their ecosystem services.
– This shows new research on the role of whales in the ocean ecosystem, which the prime minister is either not familiar with or simply ignores, claims the head of NOAH.
WHALING: Japanese whaling boats set sail on Monday 1 July as Japan resumed commercial whaling for the first time in three decades. Video: NTB Scanpix. Clip: Ørjan Ryland / Dagbladet Show more
The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on the other hand, believes that it is a completely objective fact that minke whales eat significant amounts of fish and krill.
– This is both food for other species in the sea, and for us humans. The population of minke whales is in good condition, and rightly so, and the very modest Norwegian whaling contributes to balance in the marine ecosystems, says Skjæran.
Thinks Støre is out of step
According to Martinsen, it is not responsible that one in five whales risks suffering for a long time with a grenade in their body.
– Over 60 percent of Norwegians think this is unacceptable. The Prime Minister is then out of step with the Norwegian people who do not think it is right, she says.
Swallowed alive by whales
The fact that it does not happen to every single whale is certainly not an excuse, points out the head of NOAH.
– More Norwegians are concerned with animal welfare and nature than those concerned with whaling. It shows that Støre is very much out of step with most Norwegians.
Unlike Martinsen, Skjæran, who believes that whales are fantastic food, hopes that even more people will open their eyes to it.
– If we are to achieve the UN’s sustainability goals, we must eat more food from the sea, not less. Norwegian whaling is a small but important contribution to healthy and short-distance seafood, says the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.
2023-09-07 16:25:02
#Rage #Støre #Pathetic
