Permalink: https://media.greenpeace.org/archive/Preparing-a-Whaling-Harpoon-in-Alaska-27MZIFVPEGQR.htmlConceptually similarPreparing a Whaling Harpoon in AlaskaGP04CQOCompleted★★★★Whale Blubber in AlaskaGP04CRDCompleted★★★★Whale Blubber Delicacy in AlaskaGP04BQMCompleted★★★★Biologist Examines Whale in AlaskaGP04CQVCompleted★★★★Subsistence Whaling in AlaskaGP04CQTCompleted★★★★Subsistence Whaling in AlaskaGP04CR1Completed★★★★Subsitence whaling and offshore oilGP04CRFCompleted★★★★Subsitence whaling and offshore oilGP04CRHCompleted★★★★Whale Carcass in AlaskaGP04BPICompleted★★★★View AllGP04CQPPreparing a Whaling Harpoon in AlaskaA 'back-up' harpoon is prepared for use during the Inupiat autumn whale hunt. This smaller shoulder harpoon can be used as a secondary measure if the longer explosive harpoon fails. All the communities of the North Slope have a limit of 80 strikes in total. A strike isn’t a catch, it is an attempt. Sometimes whales can be harpooned but get away. Having an unlimited number of strikes could mean there are many whales injured who could die slowly. In 2010 the Inupiat landed 45 bowhead whales. The harpooner receives one half of the flipper which is considered a delicacy.Locations:Alaska-Arctic-Arctic Coastal Plain-Barrow (Alaska)-North America-United States of AmericaDate:8 Oct, 2011Credit:© Rose Sjölander / 70°Maximum size:5306px X 3537pxRestrictions:Ok for Greenpeace use and for approved external Greenpeace campaign related use. Contact the photographer directly or Greenpeace UK (photo.uk@greenpeace.org) for any other external licensing or sales.Keywords:Hands-Harpoons-Indoors-Inupiat-KWCI (GPI)-Local population-Men-One person-People-Save the Arctic (campaign title)-Whalers-WhalingShoot:70° North - Arctic Documentation70° North is a multimedia project documenting the impact of climate change and resources exploration in the Arctic.Shell's plans to drill offshore in the Alaskan Arctic in 2012 has divided the native communities who now stand at a crossroads between continued benefits from industry generated revenues and protecting the marine environment they have depended on for thousands of years. Shell's proposed offshore drill site is in the path of the bowhead whale's migration route. Many Inupiat hunters are concerned about Shell's lack of spill response capabilities if licenses are granted to drill offshore in the Arctic's Beaufort and Chukchi seasGreenpeace is campaigning for a global sanctuary to be declared around the uninhabited area of the North Pole to save the Arctic from attempts by oil companies to exploit the region’s resources for short term profit.
