Comments on: SCU holds fears for whale conservation http://www.ballina.info/blog/2006/05/25/scu-holds-fears-for-whale-conservation/ Regular information and comments on the Ballina Shire. Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:22:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: david@tokyo http://www.ballina.info/blog/2006/05/25/scu-holds-fears-for-whale-conservation/#comment-1487 david@tokyo Thu, 25 May 2006 03:25:33 +0000 http://www.ballina.info/blog/2006/05/25/scu-holds-fears-for-whale-conservation/#comment-1487 Professor Harrison needs to provide a scientific argument to support his fears for the humpback stock, due to Japan's hunting of 50 humpbacks from the East Australian breeding stock every second year. He recognises himself that the population is growing at a rate of 10% per year, or 700 this year. With 7700 whales this year, it would take another 10-15 years for the stock to return to it's pre-whaling size of 20,000 - 30,000 whales. Japan's hunt of 50 whales every second year represents only 7% of the number of new whales this year, and only 0.65% of the overall estimated stock size. Perhaps Professor Harrison should stick to his science rather than getting involved in the political hysteria surronding the issue? Professor Harrison needs to provide a scientific argument to support his fears for the humpback stock, due to Japan’s hunting of 50 humpbacks from the East Australian breeding stock every second year.

He recognises himself that the population is growing at a rate of 10% per year, or 700 this year.

With 7700 whales this year, it would take another 10-15 years for the stock to return to it’s pre-whaling size of 20,000 - 30,000 whales.

Japan’s hunt of 50 whales every second year represents only 7% of the number of new whales this year, and only 0.65% of the overall estimated stock size.

Perhaps Professor Harrison should stick to his science rather than getting involved in the political hysteria surronding the issue?

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