re: It's on! Japan to resume commercial whaling.

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but I really don't understand how whaling became taboo in the west. 

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Because you're hunting an animal into extinction. I'm not a tree-hugger but even I acknowledge basic ecological principles of conservation.

I want whales to exist for many generations to come. Plus they serve a important purpose in oceanic ecology.

We used whales for their blubber to create oil. When western countries found better/less dangerous ways of obtaining oil, we abandoned the practice.

Sustainability is an issue. Not just of whales but the ecosystems they reside in.

Also whales being an emotionally complex animal that might have some level of sentience.

And you never know what we'll need if one of our probes hits up an alien probe and comes back.