In the southern seas below us, a gory hunt is taking place
In international waters – slightly north of our Scott Base
Against a wave of protest and of global condemnation
A grim pursuit is mounted on a shrinking population
While most enlightened nations have now banned commercial whaling
Attempts to stop the Japanese are obviously failing
Their decks run red with carnage—bloody, raw, and crude—
Yet still they claim it’s science, and not demand for whale food
But truth lies in the shadows—these studies are a guise,
For whaling in Japan is state-sustained through hefty ties
Ironically, what may yet help the whales evade their fate,
Is that the local appetite for whale meat starts to abate
What needless shame, these wondrous beasts destroyed in such a fashion,
While stockpiles grow unwanted, lacking markets, lacking passion
And though they’ve tried to market meat to younger generations
The price they get falls well below their market expectations
And shouldering the burden of this money-losing practice
Are the working people of Japan – those who pay their taxes
But hopefully the call will be for subsidy removal
As the industry collapses midst a trend of disapproval
So probably it’s this that will prevent the mindless slaughter
And not the conservationists that fight them on the water
Removing threats of losing face may be what change entails
So that one day we shall see the Japanese just watching whales