Would you agree with banning Inuk (Northern Native Americans) from hunting endangered Beluga whales? (Read first before voting)

Question

Before I begin— I am a Native person, although not Inuk. 
Inuk Natives (or Inuit) are natives of Northern Canadian Territory.

As expected, it is far too cold in this region for much agriculture, therefor Inuk people’s diet has always mostly been comprised of seafood. One of their largest catches and a big part of their culture, even today, is the Beluga whale. 
Beluga whales are classified as endangered and as of 2019 it is estimated that less than 400 still exist in the wild. They are protected from poaching, HOWEVER, Inuk people are legally allowed to hunt and consume them per Native rights within Canada. 
This has caused a lot of controversy amongst people who both want to support Native rights and culture but also protect the Beluga whale from going completely extinct. 
On top of this, part of Inuk culture involves consuming the Beluga whale completely raw, and because of oceanic pollution, it is becoming increasingly dangerous to do so, causing the Inuk people to develop health problems related to consuming the whale raw.

What are your thoughts on this? Should the hunting of Beluga whales be stopped not only for the animal’s sake, but also for the people’s sake who continue to get sick from consuming them raw?

Accepted Answer

I feel that no one should be allowed to hunt endangered animals. Culture is important to recognize and learn about, but there are certain things that must adapt to the changes in the world. They would be unable to hunt them if they are extinct, so I don’t see why stopping the hunting while they are endangered would be so detrimental.

Answer

From my point of view, not only is the beluga whale culturally significant to the Inuk people but also you cannot force people to eat “healthy” or to follow your personal dietary preferences. Plenty of people eat raw seafood, and I don’t think it’d be right to ban the people who actually need it from using it.

Answer

This is where I feel a life-or-death call is the final call.
What is the study on the Inuk people to show the impact on them if the whales are removed from their diet? Is there enough naturally available alternatives for them not to starve. I would weight that against the predicted extinction rate of the whales.. if the whales go extinct do the Inuk people survive long? 
If it is strictly a “this is what we have always done” cultural feelings issue, ban the hunt. People have evolved culturally throughout history and they are as capable that way as anyone. If it is a human survival need to hunt the whales then isn’t that unfortunately natural selection in its most simple form for both the whales and the people?

Answer

We should be supporting opportunities for sustainable hunting and focusing our efforts on protecting the whales from other environmental factors leading to their decline. Native peoples have sustainably hunted for thousands - sometimes tens of thousands - of years. It's a way of life that shows respect to the animals and the land that supports them. These are not the people at fault for the vast decline in numbers.

Answer

No one should be allowed to hunt endangered animals. Period. Their culture is not more important that an entire species survival.

Answer

1. Where on earth did you get 400 from? There are still thousands of Beluga whales. 
2. The Inuit are protectors and the last thing they’d want to do is to hunt the Beluga whale to extinction. Beluga is a traditional food source… there’s accountability, along with general rules they follow when on hunts. All you had to do was quick a Google search.
3. There are so many things threatening Belugas and ocean life in general right now, I think your concern is rather misplaced. Not to mention suggesting the Inuit forego one of their most precious resources due to problems created by the first world??? You say you’re native but that’s white bread mentality at its finest.

Answer

Banning culturally significant hunting/fishing (especially when it’s done in a way that is environmentally responsible, like it is in native traditions) doesn’t benefit anyone.

Answer

I don't think people should be allowed a free pass just because of their culture

Answer

I think it might be better to just regulate the hunting; eg. so many per 1 family per year. Beluga whales are not endangered from hunting but from pollution and over-fishing contributing to their starvation. I wouldn’t want to see them go extinct and they’re headed that way so I think regulation could help. We need to regulate the over-fishing in the area too so the whales even have enough to eat.

Answer

As long as it’s sustainable then it should continue as soon as it’s gets to point where it isn’t manageable and we risk losing the Belga Whale then yes they will have to ban it. At the moment research doesn’t suggest the Inuks are really effecting their numbers. Eventually they will have to limit how many they can hunt per year. It doesn’t benefit the Inuk population if they hunt to the point of extinction.

Would you agree with banning Inuk (Northern Native Americans) from hunting endangered Beluga whales? (Read first before voting)

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