Japan and other whaling nations on Sunday for the first time in more than two decades got a whaling group to criticise a global whaling ban, signalling they might finally have the muscle to challenge the moratorium.

What do you think about the whaling ban? Should the conditions of the ban be revised to allow for scientific whaling? Is the ban still necessary? Are whales responsible for depleting fish stocks? Will any lifting of the ban ultimately lead to extinction for the whale?

Send us your comments and we'll publish the best ones here. Please note that not all comments will be published and your comments may be edited.

Just like fox hunting it doesn’t even belong in this decade, it’s unbelievable.
- Justin, Washington

How do we bring pressure to bear on Norway and Japan? Surely the only way to hit home is to hit them financially? We need a campaign that hits their wallets and that tells them this is because of their whaling policy.
- Christian, London

Exactly which scientific reasons are we talking about here? I also don't believe you can say that the various species of whale can be held responsible for the depletion of fish stocks, which is utter nonsense. Humans have done that very nicely on their own. Whaling is pointless and very, very cruel no matter how you dress it up. It needs to be stopped along with all the other atrocities carried out on our animal species with whom we share this earth.
- Michele, Derbyshire

Needless pain and suffering caused to animals that appear to be more intelligent than their slayers.
- Alexis, Cheshire

Whaling is unnecessary, ecologically unsound and wasteful. Several people on your message board are calling for a boycott of products from the nations that practice whaling; please can someone list these nations so we can see who we should stop buying from?
- David, Bristol

The ban should stay in force, if not the general public should resist purchasing Japanese goods. They will only take notice when a global boycott is imposed by lawful means.
- James, England

Whale hunting is revolting. I am strongly against it. Fox hunting is bad enough but whale hunting? What do these Japanese people think they are playing at? After watching the short video above it nearly had me in tears. It's disgusting that someone would want to kill these beautiful and elegant creatures.
- Eilidh, Argyll and Bute

Whaling may have been necessary in the past but we now have alternatives to the by-products, figures have proven that modern whalers are not caring or responsible enough to limit numbers killed so as not to risk possible extinction. These creatures have no protection against the greed & cruelty of man except those of us who care enough to say no.
- Laura, Birmingham

Even after intensive promotion of whale meat in Japan, they still have to resort to selling it to dog food producers. I don't see the logic.
- Tom, London

Do we not do enough damage in our oceans already? A lift on the whaling ban is not only barbaric but may also lead to another possible extinct species. This will only further the effect on an already stressed ecosystem.
- Nick, Brighton

How can people even consider whaling? It is barbaric and there is no need for it! How can Norwegians (and all others who are doing it for 'scientific reasons') call themselves civilised nations while killing these intelligent & magnificent creatures?
- Brigit, Felixstowe

I think that the only way to bring Japan and the other "Whaling" nations in to line is for everyone to vote with their purses each week by refusing to buy products from those countries.
- Chris, Cambridgeshire

I've had the privilege of watching sperm whales swimming in the wild; it was one of the most awe inspiring things I’ve ever seen. If the ban gets overturned our children may not get the chance to see these beautiful creatures and who would that benefit? We have to stand up and put an end to whaling for good!
- Alexandra, Leeds

Whaling is not only a cruel and outdated practice - it is highly disruptive to the ocean's biosphere as a whole. Countless of other species are negatively affected by this industry that does not even have an economically (let alone environmentally) sustainable future. Whaling must be outlawed - for good!
- Marion, Montreal

My wife and I flew to South Africa and Canada to watch whales. These animals are much nicer in the water when alive than dead. They should not be hunted and the ban should continue. There is enough food around; there is no need to kill anything that just happens to be next to us. As for the whales being responsible for low fish stocks, that is silly as most whales don't eat fish.
- Benjamin, UK

There is nothing but greed and misguided and outdated superstitions which drive these nations to continue to hunt and slaughter whales. Whilst we may all have an opinion on so called 'natural' products, it must surely be clear that at times the only sensible course of action is to accept a 'synthetic' alternative. Is this not the case with whaling?
- Skelly, Coventry

I am a Marine Ecologist on Vancouver Island. With so many whale species threatened today, and increasing awareness around the globe of the importance of marine conservation, I feel so saddened by this news. Japan is well known for their continued efforts to lift this ban. With the amount of over-fishing happening in today’s waters, and the drastic changes in global climate, they have the nerve to point a finger at the whales for depleted fish stocks. There are many people that will stand up and fight this, myself being one of them.
- Sarah, Canada

There simply isn't a good enough reason to start whaling again. It's not because of the fish, it’s not because the meat is in high demand. So, what’s the real reason?
- Tash, Herts

Isn't it time that certain barbaric traditions that have little relevance in today's society ended? The Japanese are eating less and less whale meat so why do they need to kill more of them. Man has depleted the fish stocks with over fishing and waste. Until man felt the need to mass market everything there wasn't a problem with the natural balance.
- Christine, Rochdale

Whaling is not a need for pro-whalers, it is merely a want. A want to destroy one of the most precious creatures still - surprisingly - living today. Whales feel pain and anguish just like any other animal, maybe even more so, and killing them for things as trivial as oil and bone is a pathetic excuse.
- Eula, London

I feel that the petty excuse for whaling being put down to scientific reasons is cowardly, the fact that they are lying for their actions suggests that they know what they are doing is wrong. The murdering of any living creature is disgusting.
- Laura, Whitby

I feel strongly that the ban on whaling should not be lifted as it will lead to extinction for the whales. As for the whales depleting fish stocks, that is a load of rubbish. It is man that is doing that, the majority of whales live on plankton.
- Ruth, Shropshire

It's really so sad to hear this news of support for this barbaric act. When are we going to wake up and act with compassion and respect for our fellow creatures and not act blindly with the false idea that we own and not share this beautiful planet with these wise and peaceful animals?
- Andrew, London

These people care nothing for the future, short term gain and money is all they care about. They would kill all the whales then turn to another target.
- Paddy, Preston

It is devastating news. What on God's earth is Japan playing at? The ban is absolutely necessary and should be enforced by those nations who put it together. I will boycott anything Japanese from now on and I will attempt to set up a pressure group to do likewise. Are the Japanese people really so blind to think that they can slaughter one of the most beautiful, beguiling and dramatic creatures on earth for the sake of vanity? Speak up people! Don’t let them win!
- Ed, Crewe

Whaling is disgusting and barbaric. There is no place for it in today’s society.
- Tracy, Stockport

The simple fact is that the Japanese are having a hard time selling the whale meat they bring in from so-called 'scientific whaling' with much of it sitting in refrigerated warehouses - and the drive to try and get the Japanese people to eat more whale meat isn't having much success. So why do feel they need to start whaling again commercially?
- Charles, Frank