I recall reading that whale milk is extremely fatty (in the range of 50% fat) and would therefore probably be quite unpalatable to humans if drunk by the glass. Not, of course, that it would be particularly easy to milk a whale. :)

I would not normally choose to eat whale, either, but I note that missing from this discussion are the legal whale hunts and the consumption of whales by aboriginal peoples in North America. Many southern foods are prohibitively expensive, and native mammals, including whales, are considerably more nutritious than what is trucked/flown up from the south. Really, what's the greater affront to urban ethics -- eating whale, or eating a greasy, unhealthy $50 bucket of KFC that was probably made with factory-farmed pullets? I certainly won't turn down muktuk if I am offered some when I travel to some of the more remote northern communities this fall.

I try not to get emotional over the killing and consumption of sea mammals.

There is a film that will be released in a few months that covers aspects of this 'industry' that cannot be excused.

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-b...0080330x1.html

As some dolphins are called pilot whales, the border between the two species is quite smudged.

Putting aside my personal abhorrence of this practice, and ignoring that the selection process and killing methods go against the officially prescribed and sanctioned ones, there is a compelling reason for humans not to be eating these animals (I doubt many of us would know the difference between dolphin or whale sashimi), the mercury levels in the meat are reportedly through the roof, comparable to levels found in fish from Minamata bay.

I was impressed by how nice dog soup is, although I probably wouldn't order it of my own accord given the treatment the animals suffer before hand.

As for whale, I have no problem with people eating any animal as long as the kill is a) sustainable b) humane. Commercial whaling appears to be neither of these things.

I'll add my vote to horse meat too. Oh and kangaroo is probably one of my favourite meats, but only when it's cooked properly which is pretty rare.

You do know that Kangaroos (some species) are vermin and damage crops.

Hmm wonder what impact the whale population have on the annual plankton harvest...

Australians do not eat Bilby's - a cuter smaller version of a Kangaroo (kind of - we have weird creatures here) - it is a protected species so we are not allowed to. They also don't eat the Koala - also protected. Seeing a theme?

Interestingly some NZers were suggesting the commercial farming of the Kiwi as it's numbers were dwindling and by farming it you could create a sustainable population...

A friend of mine tried it in Japan. Said it came in a can. Said it tasted like bacon. Said he was embarrassed to admit to it.

That's all I know about it, albeit second hand.

Hehe anyone who leaves urban areas of Australia will immediately know that the kangaroo certainly does not need protection. Although I do remember being on a property when I was about 12 roo hunting and being shocked at how inhumanely some of the guys killed the joey's one guy grabbed it by the legs and swung it head first into the tray of the ute until it was dead.

I had it at an Izakaya here in Kyushu.....It was served sashimi style and I remember it being rather bloody.....It is available at most supermarkets around here...It is not expensive!

Had a project back in High School involving Native Alaskan Culture. So as one of the things I brought in was seal. It didn't really go over that well, but was ok. It was battered and fried, and extremely smelly, like bad fish. Tasted fishy too and had the consistency of liver. Not many students tried it :(

I was in charge of a Scouting event last year in ANC (OA Section W-1B Conclave) and since the location was unique, (Had people from the West Coast, OGG & Japan fly up) I contacted a friend of my Dad's who lives in BRW, and he arranged for a cooler full of muktuk to be Goldstreaked down to us in ANC. The stuff was quite strong too, and very chewy. Lots sampled a piece of it... not many liked it. But it was the experience.

My favorite exotic animal has been beaver. I especially enjoyed the fatty tail.

my understanding is that in japan there are now fewer and fewer people learning how to prepare whale meat.

I haven't looked recently, but in the past one could definitely buy canned whale meat. For that matter one can also buy canned horse meat (commonly sold in most any supermarket), and some may have unknowingly already partaken of canned horse meat as it's sold under the name of "New Corned Beef" (but it's anything but beef).

I like to try local delicacies everywhere I travel. I have tired deer, bear, squirrel, musk ox, alligator, crocodile, kangaroo, shark, moose, cariboo, seal, emu, ostrich, goat, beaver, zebra, just to name a few.

I would LOVE to try whale.

Cheers,

I have had maktaaq a few times. I didn't notice any paticular taste but the texture was like chewing on a rubber ball.
Sometimes it's available in the local grocery but it very expensive

It appears humpback whales have another stay of execution. News re the upcoming IWC meeting in that linked story. You should still be able to eat whale meat from the 2007 hunt - but can someone confirm this from JPN?