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Many still fail to appreciate that fundamental differences exist between a whale and a fish. Similar to other higher order mammals such as dolphins, gorillas, the other two species of chimpanzee (humans being the third), and elephants, whales experience both pain and emotion (eg.joy sadness, grieving) in not dissimilar ways to humans. Similar neurotransmitters and peptides functioning in the brain in strikingly similar fashion to humans, not to mention the behavioural observations that reinforce the point.

Whilst the jury is still out on whether fish experience pain at all, there is a country mile between whatever they do experience and what a whale (or other higher order mammal) experiences.

Talk of "sustainable harvesting" is nothing more than a euphamism for inhumane wholesale slaughter. The slaughter is not necessary for the survival of the Japanese, however a ban on whaling is vital for the survival of the whales. A post earlier from someone who lived in Japan suggested that the prevailing policies are not broadly endorsed by the Japanese generally, and are largely being promoted by some of older politicians in power. Lets hope its true and change occurs sooner rather than later.