Terry Nutkins says ‘watch whales, don’t hunt them’

As the International Whaling Committee (IWC) meet in Madeira to decide the fate of the world’s whales, naturalist Terry Nutkins and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) go in search of minke whales off the coast of Scotland.

The minke whales that live and breed in Scottish waters are threatened by the annual Norwegian whale hunt, which takes place every year in April. Norway was awarded a 2009 whaling quota of 885 minke whales and has killed over 150 whales so far this year.

Terry’s ethical whale watching adventure celebrates a more compassionate way to profit from these stunning animals. Leah Garces, WSPA International Director of Programmes said: “WSPA firmly believes that whale watching is more economically significant and sustainable to communities than whaling. Research into the growth of the global whale watching industry estimates it to be a US $1.25 billion business, enjoyed by over 10 million people in more than 90 countries each year.”

In Scotland, the last report on whale watching in 2001 showed that it was worth £7.8million per year; since then the number of wildlife tourism boat operators in Scotland has doubled.

Caroline Warburton, Manager of ethical holiday association Wild Scotland said: “Interest in wildlife-watching has grown significantly over the last ten years as more people realise what special wildlife we have right here on our doorstep.”

WSPA are calling on the IWC to develop and promote mandatory international standards for whale watching industries, to ensure they are both sustainable and humane.

Right now, anyone can set up a business, with no knowledge and there is a need to ensure that boat operators have the necessary knowledge to deliver sustainable tours. Best practice charters like the ones that the Wild Scotland tour providers sign up to are important in raising standards.

Caroline continues: “Over the years, we have realised that Scotland is an important area for whales and dolphins and livelihoods are now dependent upon whale watching activities. Responsible whale watching provides a real employment alternative and that’s why we support WSPA when they call on the IWC for an end to whaling.”

Beloved Animal Magic and Really Wild Show presenter, Terry Nutkins and WSPA wanted to highlight the many positives of the ethical whale watching industry and spent the day off the Isle of Mull, with the expert Sea Life Surveys crew, a member of the not for profit organisation Wild Scotland group and currently featured within VisitScotland’s list of Perfect Experiences (visitscotland.com/perfectexperiences) to take part in this summer.

Terry – host of recent BBC3 show My Life as an Animal – said: “When you see these magnificent creatures in the wild, especially in such beautiful settings, it’s shameful to think that humans hunt them for profit. Countries like Norway could compassionately reap more profit by developing their whale watching industry instead of whaling.”

It seems that whaling cruelty concerns are increasingly shared by Norway’s general public. Last month, a poll taken by WSPA and two Norwegian partner charities found that one in three Norwegians agreed that Norway should begin phasing out commercial whale hunting because of animal welfare concerns. In the same poll only 6% of Norwegians said they regularly ate whale meat.

Whales are usually killed with explosive harpoons that detonate inside their body. The average time to death reported by Norway is two to three minutes, although some whales can take up to an hour to die; an unacceptable cruelty.

Terry added: “I suggest Brits show their support for better whale welfare by going on an ethical whale watching trip when they go on holiday this year. You don’t even have to leave the UK to do it – I’ve had a fantastic time in Scotland!”

VisitScotland, Scotland’s national tourism organisation, consider ethical whale watching to be a great resource for the country. Philip Riddle, Chief Executive of VisitScotland said:

“We are delighted to support the WSPA in promoting the conservation of such a beautiful Scottish mammal. Scotland in the summer is the perfect place to witness Minke whales in their natural habitat. These stunning creatures have been spotted around the waters of Scotland from the coastal trail of Fife in the east coast of Scotland to the stunning Outer Hebrides in the North West. And there are many wonderful sea life companies, such as Sea Life Surveys who can help you discover them.”

Leah Garces added: “It is currently illegal in Norway to hang a live fish from a hook, but whales are still being killed using explosive harpoons. For a country that’s otherwise progressive on most animal welfare issues, it is extremely sad that there is such a blind-spot for whale welfare. Surely all animals should be treated humanely.”