Whale watching brings major benefits [1]
Friday, June 23, 2006 - 08:30. Updated on Sunday, April 20, 2014 - 19:19.
Editor,
I read with interest comments supporting the resumption of whaling in the Kingdom.
I would like to make the following commments -
1. The Royal Decree was issued in 1978 by the King, not the 1950's and
was based on scientific studies that indicated that the number of
breeding females had been reduced to a low of 15 animals. Because Tonga
is a breeding and nursery ground for humpback whales it was easy to hunt
the females with young calves rather than chase the males. The impact of
this action is still evident today. Last season we recorded only 9 new
calves in the waters around Vava'u. Old whaling records show an
abundance of humpback whales in the waters around Fiji. Whaling managed
to wipe out this stock and humpback whales no longer migrate to Fiji.
2. There are no records that I have been able to locate either oral or
written to indicate Tongans traditionally hunted whales. Whaling was
introduced by the Palangi and as you correctly state then taken up by
Tongans - notably the Cook family in Nuku'alofa. The period of "Tongan"
whaling lasted less than 100 years and from records published became
harder and harder as the number of whales diminished.
3. A study was conducted in 2000 by Dr. Mark Orams from Massey
University in Auckland to determine the financial impact of whale
watching on the economy of the Kingdom and in particular Vava'u. The
study indicated that whale watching generated in excess of $2 million
and today that figure would be closer to $3 million. From a zero base in
1993, when whale watching commenced in Vava'u, we now have a major
tourist attraction that has gained a worldwide reputation and continues
to grow bringing benefits to the whole community. I would be happy to
supply a copy of the study.
4. If the Government did allow whaling to resume the whale watching
industry would collapse and to suggest that this would be replaced by
more tourists coming to witness and photograph the killing of whales is
ludicrous. The majority of the world deplore killing the whales. It is
illegal to import whale meat into the U.S.A., Australia and New Zealand
and whale bone carving importation is also banned under the C.I.T.E.S.
agreement. Therefore to suggest a market exists for these products that
are illegal to import is unrealistic.
5. Tongans consumme mutton flaps as this is all they can afford. The
market is driven by demand and has nothing to do with dumping.
6. Heart disease and diabetes are major problems facing the Tongan
population but this is the product of a multitude of factors. Replacing
sipi with whale meat will not solve this issue.
Whales have become a very emotional and political issue.
Malo 'aupito.
Allan Bowe
President
Tonga Whale Watch Operators Association.