1. Whaling has been banned too, so the analogy is good*. Of course, a provision for scientific research has been made, which is why the Japanese can continue in their activities. But the point is that, it's rooted in tradition, and the more people condemn them for it, the more defensive they become. That's why screening National Geographic videos isn't going to help.
2. Your point about dwindling whale population may be applicable, but my observation is that some people make noise whenever cute animals are killed, regardless of the size of their populations. Dogs, for instance, are eaten in winter in China. And all the dog lovers will then make lots of noise-- obviously it's not because they are endangered species. Same applies for rabbits, turtles, etc.
3. The third point relates to cruelty. No doubt killing of whales is cruel, but it seems people can ignore how battery chickens live and die, how cruel their entire life is, while making noise about whales.
4. As for putting things back, you can't put wild fish back. Not tuna, not mackerel, not sardine. The only thing people can do is to not kill fish below a certain size, so that they can breed at least once before they are caught. So please don't lay this on the whalers.
* I follow UK news and I don't think fox hunting has been banned, but the point is to use it as an analogy.
Wai Leong
===