Whaling

Maine's commercial whaling industry was largely a short-lived response to the failing menhaden fishery. Here's an 1885 bulletin.

But Japan's whaling continues. This year, an Australian ship pursues Japan's whaling fleet near Antarctica in an effort to end the annual slaughter of Minke whales, via NYT.

The whales are caught "for science" but the meat is for human consumption. The debate has no shortage of drama. There's a man who rams whaling boats, has been called a terrorist, and behaves like Captain Nemo (a profile of Sea Shepherd's Paul Watson here). In recent weeks, this YouTube video calling the Aussies racists has topped the most popular video charts. The video links kangaroo killing, an Australian commercial against Kirin beer and last year's racial violence.