July 23 International Day of Whales and Dolphins
The indiscriminate hunting of whales and dolphins has led to the accelerated reduction of the world population of both species in record time, fortunately, a few decades ago initiatives began to stop the hunting of these animals that are usually highly sought after to prepare oils and various products.
Most people are not clear about it because they are animals that we do not look at daily as part of our routine (unless you are a sailor), in that way the silent elimination of dolphins and whales had a certain cloak of impunity until 1972, when The United Nations Conference made the historic decision to approve a moratorium on whaling for a period of 10 years (the alarm in these was prior to the one created to protect dolphins).
The first measure had no effect
Not only was there no effect whatsoever, but the problem worsened, which is why with the consent of the United Nations, the International Whaling Commission made the decision in 1986 to strictly ban whaling. That same year the decision was made to declare July 23 International Whale Day, later it would be called International Whale and Dolphin Day, seeking to also protect dolphins, victims of hunters in conditions and risks similar to whales.
Unfortunately, poaching continues to occur for purely economic reasons, just like fur hunters, whale hunters always have buyers with big checks waiting for them when they get their trophy of destruction to this important species.
But the problem is not only poaching, one country in particular has refused to adhere to this prohibition and in its waters the hunting of this animal is still practiced. There are organizations that constantly demonstrate against it, but the sad practice has become almost part of their culture and against that it is hard to fight, in Japan whales and dolphins are also hunted because they integrate some exotic (and very expensive) dishes that are offered in restaurants in their cities.
It is for this reason that although the population of both species has managed to maintain and rise a little thanks to these prohibitions, the fight of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), the body founded in 1946 and that in 1986 decreed World Whale Day To protect them, together with organizations that fight against the indiscriminate hunting of whales and dolphins, they have a long way to go.
