HERE we go again with the annual set-to over whether member countries of the International Whaling Commission should resume commercial whaling after a moratorium of nearly 20 years. As New Scientist has said before, there may well be sound moral and ethical reasons to oppose whaling, but anti-whaling groups are running out of scientific excuses for an across-the-board ban. Minke whales, in particular, seem to be far enough from the brink to allow at least a limited take.
But if members vote to allow whaling, they must ensure that it is done by the book. They should follow through on…
