Younger generations lack anti-whaling passion: survey

From The Daily Telegraph, Australia:
Younger generations lack anti-whaling passion: survey

AUSTRALIANS remain passionate about ending whaling - with the exception of younger people, a survey shows.

The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) survey found 94 per cent of people were against whaling in the Southern Ocean.

Yet the same concern was not reflected across all age groups.

Just 35 per cent of respondents aged 18-24 said they cared about the issue, while 55 per cent of the same category were concerned about the killing methods used.

WSPA spokeswoman Louise Fitzsimons says the results are concerning.

"The younger generation does not appear to be getting the message," she said.

"We have no doubt (they) would feel more compelled to speak out against whaling if they were more aware of the extent of cruelty involved when these majestic creatures are hunted and slaughtered."


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The survey of 1274 people aged over 18 also found 61 per cent of respondents were concerned whales were being killed inhumanely.

A federal government proposal demanding closure of the loophole that allows Japan to conduct so-called scientific whaling is supported by almost 90 per cent of respondents, according to the survey.

The proposal, which has been submitted to the International Whaling Commission (IWC), also calls for whaling to be phased out in the Southern Ocean within five years.

WSPA is urging people to join its campaign, Give Whales a Voice.

Campaign ambassador Sami Lukis says decades of progress are threatened by an IWC proposal that could legitimise commercial whaling and end the ban.

"Every Australian can help in the fight," she said, adding that WSPA has scientifically proven there is no humane method of killing a whale at sea.

"The most common way is with a penthrite grenade harpoon, which is designed to explode inside the whale's body," she said.