Western Australia Wanting To Lift Ban On Shark Hunting...
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View Poll Results: Should the ban on hunting sharks be lifted?
Yes 4 16.00% No 21 84.00%
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Western Australia Wanting To Lift Ban On Shark Hunting...Hey Guys;
Well, I don't suppose you have noticed this but, in the last year there have been 5 shark fatalities in Australia alone in a single year. So, people are now trying to lift the hunting ban on sharks in Australia due to increasing number of fatalities which is quickly rising into a record year.
Do you believe this to be the right or wrong thing to do?
I personally think it is bonkers myself. If people want to surf, fine, however put notices on the beach saying sharks could be patrolling these waters and you take your own risk when entering.
I know people have a right to be safe but you are entering territory which is not your own and as such are taking the risk.
Would it simply not be easier to ban surfing for several weeks and when sharks realise there is no food available, they will move on? -
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Re: Western Australia Wanting To Lift Ban On Shark Hunting...No it absolutely wouldn't because 1) that ban is unenforceable and 2) surfers aren't a source of food for sharks so no surfing for a few weeks will do nothing.(Original post by Scienceisgood)
Hey Guys;
Well, I don't suppose you have noticed this but, in the last year there have been 5 shark fatalities in Australia alone in a single year. So, people are now trying to lift the hunting ban on sharks in Australia due to increasing number of fatalities which is quickly rising into a record year.
Do you believe this to be the right or wrong thing to do?
I personally think it is bonkers myself. If people want to surf, fine, however put notices on the beach saying sharks could be patrolling these waters and you take your own risk when entering.
I know people have a right to be safe but you are entering territory which is not your own and as such are taking the risk.
Would it simply not be easier to ban surfing for several weeks and when sharks realise there is no food available, they will move on?
Nor is the water "territory that is not your own" - humans have just as much of a right to be in the ocean as sharks do.
I don't really see how this will help issues unless done on a massive scale, but I'm not against it. I used to be staunchly against this kind of stuff, but I've now recognised the hypocrisy of factory farming animals on land while getting all upset because whales/sharks are being killed. -
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Re: Western Australia Wanting To Lift Ban On Shark Hunting...I totally agree with you here. There's no reason for sharks to suffer as a result of humans being selfish. Any death is a tragic one and that includes the death of an animal. If people want to put their lives at risk for the sake of a sport then that's their decision. If they're silly enough to take the risk then they should be prepared to accept what the consequences may be, no matter how serious. People have a say in the matter, the sharks do not and as it is their territory it is in no way right to start hunting them.
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Re: Western Australia Wanting To Lift Ban On Shark Hunting...No it is not! Why do people keep saying this!? Sharks do not own the ocean, we have just as much right to be there as they do...(Original post by tashazzz)
I totally agree with you here. There's no reason for sharks to suffer as a result of humans being selfish. Any death is a tragic one and that includes the death of an animal. If people want to put their lives at risk for the sake of a sport then that's their decision. If they're silly enough to take the risk then they should be prepared to accept what the consequences may be, no matter how serious. People have a say in the matter, the sharks do not and as it is their territory it is in no way right to start hunting them.
And I take it you're a vegan then? -
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Re: Western Australia Wanting To Lift Ban On Shark Hunting...I don't think hunting sharks is going to say "here sharks, kill us and we will kill you". I don't think they will get the message. Besides, most sharks are already endangered and you want to increase the chance of extinction for the sake of sport?(Original post by callum9999)
No it is not! Why do people keep saying this!? Sharks do not own the ocean, we have just as much right to be there as they do...
And I take it you're a vegan then? -
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Re: Western Australia Wanting To Lift Ban On Shark Hunting...No-one says that's the aim of hunting them though... Presumably it's a case of less sharks in the areas close to shore meaning less shark attacks.(Original post by Scienceisgood)
I don't think hunting sharks is going to say "here sharks, kill us and we will kill you". I don't think they will get the message. Besides, most sharks are already endangered and you want to increase the chance of extinction for the sake of sport?
They won't be hunted to extinction (Australia is very big on conservation), but I want to do nothing of the sort... And you can hardly call shark hunting a "sport". -
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Re: Western Australia Wanting To Lift Ban On Shark Hunting...Actually, I was talking about surfing and diving as being the sport.(Original post by callum9999)
No-one says that's the aim of hunting them though... Presumably it's a case of less sharks in the areas close to shore meaning less shark attacks.
They won't be hunted to extinction (Australia is very big on conservation), but I want to do nothing of the sort... And you can hardly call shark hunting a "sport".
If I were to be killed by any sort of animal, I know for a fact I wouldn't want the said animal to be killed for my mistake/taking the said risk.
I want to do 2 things in the future which could be classed as "dangerous".
1. Cage Diving
2. Kyaking with orcas (not on those huge motor boat/yacht things)
I am fully aware of the risk but I still want to do it.Last edited by Scienceisgood; 18-07-2012 at 11:33. -
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Re: Western Australia Wanting To Lift Ban On Shark Hunting...The ocean is their natural habitat, not ours. And being a non-vegan doesn't mean you can't oppose animal cruelty.(Original post by callum9999)
No it is not! Why do people keep saying this!? Sharks do not own the ocean, we have just as much right to be there as they do...
And I take it you're a vegan then? -
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Re: Western Australia Wanting To Lift Ban On Shark Hunting...Since when were animals obliged to stick to their "natural habitat"?(Original post by derangedyoshi)
The ocean is their natural habitat, not ours. And being a non-vegan doesn't mean you can't oppose animal cruelty.
Of course it doesn't. But not being a vegan means you can't get all high and mighty about killing animals that you find cute or "special" while commissioning others to kill the less attractive ones for your dinner...
Neither of those things strike me as particularly risky.(Original post by Scienceisgood)
Actually, I was talking about surfing and diving as being the sport.
If I were to be killed by any sort of animal, I know for a fact I wouldn't want the said animal to be killed for my mistake/taking the said risk.
I want to do 2 things in the future which could be classed as "dangerous".
1. Cage Diving
2. Kyaking with orcas (not on those huge motor boat/yacht things)
I am fully aware of the risk but I still want to do it.
And so what? I wouldn't either - doesn't mean I can dictate to others what they do. There should be no reason why shark slaughter is horrific while cow, sheep, pig etc. slaughter is encouraged. -
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Re: Western Australia Wanting To Lift Ban On Shark Hunting...I understand what you are saying there. The entire point of this is that the government seem to think that humans are more important than animals that are not human.(Original post by callum9999)
Since when were animals obliged to stick to their "natural habitat"?
Of course it doesn't. But not being a vegan means you can't get all high and mighty about killing animals that you find cute or "special" while commissioning others to kill the less attractive ones for your dinner...
Neither of those things strike me as particularly risky.
And so what? I wouldn't either - doesn't mean I can dictate to others what they do. There should be no reason why shark slaughter is horrific while cow, sheep, pig etc. slaughter is encouraged.
So, according to your argument, you are just as important as a shark, so, why not just kill off half the world's population and be done with this over population thing. I mean, you could feel the world, quite literally if you were to do this. -
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Re: Western Australia Wanting To Lift Ban On Shark Hunting...Well every government in the world thinks that, as do 99.9% of the human population...(Original post by Scienceisgood)
I understand what you are saying there. The entire point of this is that the government seem to think that humans are more important than animals that are not human.
So, according to your argument, you are just as important as a shark, so, why not just kill off half the world's population and be done with this over population thing. I mean, you could feel the world, quite literally if you were to do this.
Though I don't understand how my argument vaguely suggests that anyway? Sharks and humans having the same "rights" to go in the ocean doesn't therefore mean I see them as equal in every way. As a human being, I'm more inclined to prioritise human life over other animals.
Just like I believe a mass-murderer has the same right to life as a 10 year old child. However, in any situation where I have the power to save one of them from dying, I'd go straight for the child 100% of the time. -
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Re: Western Australia Wanting To Lift Ban On Shark Hunting...I don't think sharks get much of a choice in the matter...(Original post by callum9999)
Well every government in the world thinks that, as do 99.9% of the human population...
Though I don't understand how my argument vaguely suggests that anyway? Sharks and humans having the same "rights" to go in the ocean doesn't therefore mean I see them as equal in every way. As a human being, I'm more inclined to prioritise human life over other animals.
Just like I believe a mass-murderer has the same right to life as a 10 year old child. However, in any situation where I have the power to save one of them from dying, I'd go straight for the child 100% of the time. -
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Re: Western Australia Wanting To Lift Ban On Shark Hunting...Your point being? Because they need to live in water they therefore have a right to the ocean that overrides the right of humans to enter it occasionally?(Original post by Scienceisgood)
I don't think sharks get much of a choice in the matter... -
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Re: Western Australia Wanting To Lift Ban On Shark Hunting...So, if a rat enters your home occasionly, what would you do?
Does that not implicate you as well? By saying a rat is in your house, your instant thought is to kill it or throw it outside? -
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Re: Western Australia Wanting To Lift Ban On Shark Hunting...Well the analogy doesn't quite work as sharks don't have houses, but again, I'm not saying sharks and humans are equals. Nor are the actions the same - I would be removing the rat as I see it as a threat, whereas sharks don't see humans as threats. Though maybe this is getting a bit too deep considering sharks lack the mental ability we have!(Original post by Scienceisgood)
So, if a rat enters your home occasionly, what would you do?
Does that not implicate you as well? By saying a rat is in your house, your instant thought is to kill it or throw it outside? -
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Re: Western Australia Wanting To Lift Ban On Shark Hunting...It shouldn't be lifted, but I've given up dwelling on it, given how widespread and unregulated it is. It's probably one of those things humans will do until they're unable to do it anymore.
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Re: Western Australia Wanting To Lift Ban On Shark Hunting...You could say the same with many things and their mental abilities. However, dogs and chimpanzees have VERY similar emotions compared to humans and yet they are eaten/seen as inferior to humans because humans have this IDEA we are better than everything else.(Original post by callum9999)
Well the analogy doesn't quite work as sharks don't have houses, but again, I'm not saying sharks and humans are equals. Nor are the actions the same - I would be removing the rat as I see it as a threat, whereas sharks don't see humans as threats. Though maybe this is getting a bit too deep considering sharks lack the mental ability we have!
Gotta get going soon. I will be back later.Last edited by Scienceisgood; 18-07-2012 at 12:16. -
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Re: Western Australia Wanting To Lift Ban On Shark Hunting...Says who? After doing a university course on animal behaviour, I was under the impression that it hasn't been proven that animals have emotions (as we know them) full stop - let alone "similar" to us.(Original post by Scienceisgood)
You could say the same with many things and their mental abilities. However, dogs and chimpanzees have VERY similar emotions compared to humans and yet they are eaten/seen as inferior to humans because humans have this IDEA we are better than everything else.
Gotta get going soon. I will be back later.
And I clearly can't speak for everyone, but I see humans and animals as equal despite hugely favouring humans. It's basic instinct to favour your own species over others. -
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Re: Western Australia Wanting To Lift Ban On Shark Hunting...Actually, the entire point of science is to DISPROVE theories instead of proving them. At least this is what my Biology and Chemistry teachers tell me (Am doing my A levels), while I can't argue against you because since you have a degree in animal behaviour, can you disprove animals such as dogs and chimpanzees don't have similar emotions?(Original post by callum9999)
Says who? After doing a university course on animal behaviour, I was under the impression that it hasn't been proven that animals have emotions (as we know them) full stop - let alone "similar" to us.
And I clearly can't speak for everyone, but I see humans and animals as equal despite hugely favouring humans. It's basic instinct to favour your own species over others. -
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Re: Western Australia Wanting To Lift Ban On Shark Hunting...I didn't say that humans didn't have a right to be in the ocean, but we do not need to be in there in order to survive. How is it morally right to kill something just for being where it needs to be in order to stay alive so that people can feel a bit safer participating in water sports? Sharks act on instinct, if they spot potential prey then they will obviously attack it, humans included - there's no way to stop this!(Original post by callum9999)
No it is not! Why do people keep saying this!? Sharks do not own the ocean, we have just as much right to be there as they do...
And I take it you're a vegan then?
And yes, I am vegan. I fail to see how that's relevant though.
