Education

Whaling myths and facts

Myth - Whales are all the same.
Fact - "The whale" does not exist. There are 80 species of whales. A killer whale is about as different from a gray whale as a wolf is from a buffalo.

Myth - Whales are almost extinct.
Fact - A few species of whale are threatened with extinction. But most species are extremely numerous. Even though several of the larger whales have been greatly depleted, the gray whale for instance is now back at its original stock size.

Myth - Modern industrial whaling has made several species extinct.
Fact - No species have been made extinct even though several species have been severely depleted. Industrial whaling no longer occurs. Today, whales are caught for food. Whale species that are endangered are not caught at all.

Myth - The whale is an intelligent creature.
Fact - There is no proof that whales in general or certain whale species in particular have intelligence distinguishing them from other animals.

Myth - The whale has a gentle nature.
Fact - Orca, or Killer whales, kill larger slower swimming whales.

Myth - Whales choose a partner for life.
Fact - Geese are monogamous - whales are essentially unfaithful.

Myth - Each whale has a distinct personality.
Fact - All animals have a distinct personality.

Myth - There is no humane way to kill a whale.
Fact - All modern methods for killing animals are humane. Killing methods used in Norwegian and Japanese whaling are the fastest and most effective in the world.