190: The Geopolitics of Whale Conservation with Peter Corkeron

Commercial whaling vessel docked at a harbor, showing large red circular harpoon reels and a yellow A-frame structure mounted on deck. The ship flies a Greenlandic flag and has industrial whaling equipment visible. The harbor scene includes a modern city skyline with a distinctive building visible in the background across calm waters on a partly cloudy day. Image by Bernd Hildebrandt from Pixabay.

Is the resumption of commercial whaling inevitable? What hidden geopolitical forces are shaping international whale conservation efforts? Let’s dive (pun not intended) into the complex world of whale conservation with marine scientist Dr Peter Corkeron. In our conversation, Peter uncovers the surprising connections between military bases, national security, and the fate of the world’s largest mammals.

From the history of industrial whaling to the current state of whale populations, our guest provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges facing whale conservation today. He explains how some whale species are making an impressive comeback while others teeter on the brink of extinction. But the real story goes beyond biology! Learn how US military interests in Japan may be influencing whaling policies, and why anti-whaling efforts that seemed successful for decades may now be faltering.

As commercial whaling threatens to resume, we argue for a new approach to whale protection. We discuss the limitations of current conservation strategies, the complex motivations behind pro-whaling interests and why simply allowing whaling to “fizzle out” is no longer a viable option. Finally, Peter offers his perspective on potential solutions, addressing underlying geopolitical factors and advocating for policy changes to protect whale populations more effectively.

Further reading:
Losing the Whales: How the Anti-Whaling Narrative Has Failed
The Return of Whaling
What US Militarism Has to Do With Japan’s Quest to Slaughter More Whales

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