ate a whale of a lunch...whale for lunch?!

If there is anything I wanna see more than a big manta ray, it's gotta be a whale in the flesh! Last November we were so fortunate to see dolphins and manta rays in the azure waters...but what I really wanted to see was a whopper of a whale. What serene gigantic creatures they are - seeing one must be practically a holy experience...which brings us to the topic of Japanese whaling.

Why Japanese fishermen insist on the outdated practice of whaling eludes me. Japan is no longer a struggling, poor country and whale is no longer a cheap alternative to other fish! There are various other sources of cheaper, tastier, safer protein such a beef, chicken, and pork. Can you imagine the biomagnification in whales...it must be one of the most dangerous meats out there for pregnant women. In the past whale was not uncommon in school lunches - most of my students above 35 have eaten it. Some older Japanese claim whale goes well with Japanese food...others, my students, recalled disliking whale for its dry and bland taste.

This issue of whaling will continue to be of international debate for who knows how long. I just hope in the meantime, illegal whale poaching will not threaten stocks of certain whale species. Save the Queen! Save the whales!